[Svexy1000]

I just got a sv1000 and when at low speeds if I lean just a little bit the steering will sway hard to that direction and hard to force it straight. I'm used to dual sports and dirtbikes so I was curious if this was normal or if I need to lower my rear suspension or something like that. I haven't been able to ride the bike on main roads yet so I'm not sure if there are any other steering issues.

 

[schmidt314]

I just got a sv1000 and when at low speeds if I lean just a little bit the steering will sway hard to that direction and hard to force it straight. I'm used to dual sports and dirtbikes so I was curious if this was normal or if I need to lower my rear suspension or something like that. I haven't been able to ride the bike on main roads yet so I'm not sure if there are any other steering issues.

Definitely not normal. In the majority of cases I get with similar description it is usually low front tire pressure or front tire that is heavily worn.

Lots of other things to check after that are suspension and geometry related once you know front tire is healthy.

-ms

 

[Missing Link]

Agree with schmidt314. have a good look at the profile of the tyre, if its severly shaved flat eithr side of the centerline it will behave like that.
35 and 38 psi front and rear are good starting points on pressure.

 

[Svexy1000]

Definitely not normal. In the majority of cases I get with similar description it is usually low front tire pressure or front tire that is heavily worn.

Lots of other things to check after that are suspension and geometry related once you know front tire is healthy.

-ms

I just checked the tire pressure and it was at 22 psi front and rear so I went up to 35 and 38 respectively.i also lower the rear suspension as the previous owner was bigger than me. I will update when I take it out next.

 

[schmidt314]

I just checked the tire pressure and it was at 22 psi front and rear so I went up to 35 and 38 respectively.i also lower the rear suspension as the previous owner was bigger than me. I will update when I take it out next.

Wow, scary. When I ride a bike out of my drive way, I can often tell when tire is only a couple of pounds low. 22 is way too low and very dangerous. Make sure to check/set your pressures frequently.
-ms

 

[Svexy1000]

Wow, scary. When I ride a bike out of my drive way, I can often tell when tire is only a couple of pounds low. 22 is way too low and very dangerous. Make sure to check/set your pressures frequently.
-ms

It's okay bc I road it at like 20 for 5 mintues only. I haven't taken it out yet

 

[Missing Link]

22 psi front and rear

That was nasty low. Must have been sitting a while before you got it. But all the same, do a spit test on the valve stems to see if the valves are leaky.
(bit of spit on the finger and wipe it across the valve and see if it bubbles)

 

[RecoilRob]

Remember also that the SV1K has a steering damper that you have to work with at very low speed which can make the bike feel weird and 'ponderous'. Very low speed means the bike isn't able to generate the gyroscopic forces needed to create stability so the rider must make constant small inputs to keep the contact patch under the bike....and that resistance offered by the steering damper makes these small corrections need more force...which makes it harder to ride very slowly.

 

[cjune365]

steering head bearings could be bad

 

[Missing Link]

Remember also that the SV1K has a steering damper that you have to work with at very low speed which can make the bike feel weird and 'ponderous'.

Yeah, forgot about that......haven't had a damper for years now.... my old one drew air into it, creating a bubble that would expand in one direction, and try and pull the steering
back.....bled it and added fluid, all good, but then it would do it again within weeks.....in the bin it went.

 

[Svexy1000]

Yeah it was just the tire pressure. She rides smooth as butter now!
Thank you guys for the input