Tucking feeling

[patchb]

Since the weather has been warmer and lean angles have increased a bit, I have started to become less confident in the front end on my Tuono. Medium speed roundabouts etc. it just feels like the front wants to tuck all the time. It's fine at higher speeds, and fine when not leant over so much.
My other bike is a ZX7R which is renowned for having one of the best front ends in the business, I don't know if it's that which makes the Tuono feel dodgy or something else.
Where shall I start? Different tyre pressures? I plan on getting the suspension set up, is this going to help? New tyres (theres no way I'm anywhere near the limits of these though)?
The tyres are pirelli angel GT's, a sport touring tyre but they seem more than grippy enough to me, I'm not sure if its perhaps the tread moving around like I've read with some sport touring tyres?

I've still got this much unused tyre, so it's not like I'm getting near the limits of lean either:

[patchb]

I'm not sure if it is squared off really, it was like that when I bought the bike and they were nearly new. Looking at Angel GT's they are quite square anyway.
When it's time to replace tyres I'm going to go for a more sports orientated tyre as I only really ride in the dry.

[patchb]

Headstock bearings seem good, no fore and aft play, nice and smooth no notchyness etc.

I'm going to book it in at Racelab to have the suspension set up and see if that helps, even if it doesn't help this issue I want it done anyway.

[patchb]

Steve Bass said:

You can set the suspension yourself in an hour!! Why get someone else to do it for you?? You're the one who rides it!

This is true I never pay anyone to work on my vehicles, I guessed it was some kind of dark art but it's just twiddling some adjusters at the end of the day

[patchb]

Front tyre. I thought it was pretty good but looking at that it does look a little squared off.

As I say, the tyres were like that when I bought it, I thought they were supposed to be like that as if you look at photos of Angel GT's they are pretty square.

Maybe I'll chuck on a set of sportier tyres and sort the suspension and hope that helps. Any recommendations for tyres for road use, maybe the odd track day that will have more dry grip than the angels? Tyre life isn't really important.

[patchb]

creampuff said:

Yes, as far and I'm concerned, Pilot Road 3 or 4 is the answer to every on-road tyre question.

OP, your back tyre is very squared off, infact I'd say it is around the minimum tread depth now in the centre. That can make you feel uncomfortable. The advice is of course to change to Pilot Roads next time since it is a dual compound tyre and the centre doesn't wear as fast.

Also remember roundabouts often have adverse camber, grease and light diesel coatings. It may just be the roundabout.

I think you're right, I think I was being a bit naive in thinking the tyres were fairly new, I was judging mainly on the mid-outside tread depth as they don't have much tread in the centres. I've just measured the centre and it's only just over 1mm.

I've only done around 900 miles on this bike, and only use it for fun so it never sits in a straight line for miles on end. New set of tyres and it may feel like a completely different bike to what I have been riding!