Morphing the bike and rider

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jyli19

Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Messages
1,034
Location
So-Cal
After 2 months on the bike, still can't seem to get truly comfortable. The confidence level just not quite there yet, or not to same degree as my last bikes, although it's unfair to compare as I had over 30k miles with the x.

Things i have done so far:
Replace OEM footpegs with Rizoma pegs, suspension setup (still kindna loose)

Looking in the near future:
Rearsets, new seat

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks
 
jyli19 said:
After 2 months on the bike, still can't seem to get truly comfortable. The confidence level just not quite there yet, or not to same degree as my last bikes, although it's unfair to compare as I had over 30k miles with the x.

Things i have done so far:
Replace OEM footpegs with Rizoma pegs, suspension setup (still kindna loose)

Looking in the near future:
Rearsets, new seat

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Its all in the suspension - No real silver bullet to this just a lot of trial and error. Every time on the track I have been able to make adjustments and each time the bikes feels a little better. I have another one this Monday and hoping for more improvements but as I said no silver bullet.

This also helps with street riding as you can use the sport mode to soften the ride for real world road use.
 
I'd agree with that. The suspension out of the crate was awful, I had a go at setting it which improved it a fair bit but in the end took it to a tuning centre who went with some pretty extreme settings. The bike is now transformed, just been touring around the Pyrenees and the bike was mind blowingly good.

Also if, like me, you've been riding fours for a few years then the seating position takes some getting used to. I'm seated much narrower and higher than I was on the R1, the bars are a fair bit wider too. I think it's probably just time on the bike needed.
 
i agree that small changes can make a huge difference in how the bike works and your confidence level with it. it was about 5 years since i have had a bike and going from racing i4's then to this was a big change, but with some changes in the engine braking and shifting points and ride position i feel much better about the bike. but in saying that i still find the leg positioning a little too short for me at 5'10" my legs aren't fitting to the tank like i would like unless on my toes on the pegs, so i think different seat and aftermarket rearsets are in order for that.
 
jsgcb said:
i agree that small changes can make a huge difference in how the bike works and your confidence level with it. it was about 5 years since i have had a bike and going from racing i4's then to this was a big change, but with some changes in the engine braking and shifting points and ride position i feel much better about the bike. but in saying that i still find the leg positioning a little too short for me at 5'10" my legs aren't fitting to the tank like i would like unless on my toes on the pegs, so i think different seat and aftermarket rearsets are in order for that.
Click to expand...

I have the same issue with leg position - I have to be on the tip of my toes. I order the race seat and Rizoma rearsets and hopefully I can adjust to get my positioning correct. This bike is very sensitive to changes and take some time to get dialed in - I still feel I have a lot of work to do but each change makes it a little better.
 
Suspension definitely,and I would highly recommend the race seat as a quick win, the stock seat is awful. I'm heavy so I swapped in a new stiffer Ohlins at the rear and I've still had to firm up the back quite considerably by backing off the compression. I've switched back to 195lo for power to try and eliminate the snatchy throttle response that also unsettled the ride a bit, which seems to work but you'll read varying opinions on that around here. My biggest remaining issue is the front end, the front forks need to be adjusted even if its just heavier fork oil and valving becaus under heavy breaking it really does put everything 'on the nose' a little too much for my liking!
 
jyli19 said:
After 2 months on the bike, still can't seem to get truly comfortable. The confidence level just not quite there yet, or not to same degree as my last bikes, although it's unfair to compare as I had over 30k miles with the x.

Things i have done so far:
Replace OEM footpegs with Rizoma pegs, suspension setup (still kindna loose)

Looking in the near future:
Rearsets, new seat

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Where do you live in Southern Cali? I live in Lake Forest and we usually meet with some friends for an early Sunday morning ride. I would like to see you on the bike, see you riding style and inputs. Suspension is critical, but the pegs, seat (and seating position), some type of anti-slip solution on the tank, comfortable leathers helps, a lot.

Out of the crate, the front was soft and the rear was hard (I weight 190lbs) and have the rear suspension on "F". Get the sag adjusted and go from there. Metric Method (Laguna), will do it for about $15. Just do the sag first before anyone suggest any major changes. Start with 40mm in the front and 30mm in the rear. (We or you can fine tune it later).

It is a great handling bike (don't like the heat), but no bike is perfect from the crate. It has to be adjusted to each individual rider and style.
 
thanks all the feedback. Going to give it a click here and there and see if i can tighten up the suspension. I am a light weight, so a full tank vs empty tank makes a big difference on bike handling. Better on full, and worst on empty, I am suspecting lacking weight in the front end, but unfortunately i have already reach min. preload, might be in store for a spring rate change in the front.

In regards to the seats and riding position, I agree with many fellow riders here, the seat is way too slippery, the knee angle isn't optimal unless i tip toe on the pegs.

Think i am going to start with the cheapest upgrade first, probably the race seat for $259. Anyone tried neophene tape for a cheap man's race seat?
 
falco said:
Where do you live in Southern Cali? I live in Lake Forest and we usually meet with some friends for an early Sunday morning ride. I would like to see you on the bike, see you riding style and inputs. Suspension is critical, but the pegs, seat (and seating position), some type of anti-slip solution on the tank, comfortable leathers helps, a lot.

Out of the crate, the front was soft and the rear was hard (I weight 190lbs) and have the rear suspension on "F". Get the sag adjusted and go from there. Metric Method (Laguna), will do it for about $15. Just do the sag first before anyone suggest any major changes. Start with 40mm in the front and 30mm in the rear. (We or you can fine tune it later).

It is a great handling bike (don't like the heat), but no bike is perfect from the crate. It has to be adjusted to each individual rider and style.
Click to expand...

Glendale, CA off the 2 fwy, direct access to Angeles crest.

I got my suspension dialed in at 43mm front sag 0 preload -15 C -5 R, 25mm rear sag 3 threads preload -12 C -4 R. Works well when the tank is full.
 
jyli19 said:
Glendale, CA off the 2 fwy, direct access to Angeles crest.

I got my suspension dialed in at 43mm front sag 0 preload -15 C -5 R, 25mm rear sag 3 threads preload -12 C -4 R. Works well when the tank is full.
Click to expand...

In my opinion, it is too soft in the front and to hard on the rear. The bike will dive too much on the brakes, and the rear is barely moving. They have to be balance (you can go plus/ minus 2mm based on your riding style). Try 40mm in the front and 30mm in the rear. Then place a zip tie on one of the forks to see how much of it you are using. If you are not using more than half, go back 2 clicks on the compression and rebound, then try again. By testing this changes, you will learn to find out what is the best setup for you.

As far as the seat, I designed a new seat cover with "HT Moto", which goes over you stock seat. I looks awesome and it glues you to the seat. See the link below

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/9580056/IMG_2236.JPG

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/9580056/IMG_2234.JPG
 
looks good. how much for the seat cover? it's less than $100, i wouldn't mind trying it out

even at zero preload and 43mm sag, i am not using 1/2 of the front travel, the spring rate is too high. i am hesitant to sag the back more than it is now, it starts run wide under acceleration

thanks for your feedback by the way
 
jyli19 said:
Glendale, CA off the 2 fwy, direct access to Angeles crest.

I got my suspension dialed in at 43mm front sag 0 preload -15 C -5 R, 25mm rear sag 3 threads preload -12 C -4 R. Works well when the tank is full.
Click to expand...

Glendale! You get your bike from Pro Italia?
 
try switching to "P". And yes, about the sag on the rear, had my suspension done by Dave Moss and he mentioned that these come with NO sag from the factory. He made the adjustment on the rear and didn't even have to touch the front, he said it was pretty damn near perfect. Rode it away and wow, what a different and nicer ride!
 
4theride said:
try switching to "P". And yes, about the sag on the rear, had my suspension done by Dave Moss and he mentioned that these come with NO sag from the factory. He made the adjustment on the rear and didn't even have to touch the front, he said it was pretty damn near perfect. Rode it away and wow, what a different and nicer ride!
Click to expand...

Where abouts did you get Dave to do this? At a track day? I see you're Norcal too. He did my track bike at NOLA and best $40 I've ever spent. Would love to get him to do the 99 now.
 
jyli19 said:
thanks all the feedback. Going to give it a click here and there and see if i can tighten up the suspension. I am a light weight, so a full tank vs empty tank makes a big difference on bike handling. Better on full, and worst on empty, I am suspecting lacking weight in the front end, but unfortunately i have already reach min. preload, might be in store for a spring rate change in the front.

In regards to the seats and riding position, I agree with many fellow riders here, the seat is way too slippery, the knee angle isn't optimal unless i tip toe on the pegs.

Think i am going to start with the cheapest upgrade first, probably the race seat for $259. Anyone tried neophene tape for a cheap man's race seat?
Click to expand...


May need a new spring - they are reted for 190 lbs i believe
 
Gulf Coast said:
Where abouts did you get Dave to do this? At a track day? I see you're Norcal too. He did my track bike at NOLA and best $40 I've ever spent. Would love to get him to do the 99 now.
Click to expand...

I got really lucky, he was at a cycle gear bike night (last Thursday). I don't normally attend those but yes, the only other time you can find him is at the track (track days, or ama races or motogp and such) but the ad said that he would be there, so he was the only reason I went. Counted my lucky stars because I heard he'll be on his way down under for a few months! Best $50 I've ever spent ($40 but I appreciate the work he does so I throw in a little extra). PM me, I think I have his e-mail addy so you can ask about his whereabouts and see if you can coordinate something but yes, get the suspension done!
 

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