new bars how will they effect handling ?

[scrapps]

I have changed the bars on my 900ie for Renthal low bars giving me a more sat up riding position (due to back issues).
I know this has moved my body weight back on the bike due to the lack of weight on the bars and the fact i can feel a difference in the bike when riding.
I have not used the bike at any real pace since the rebuild and bar change, but will be taking it to Snetterton in July for a trackday. I now have a lack of confidence in how it will ride at speed now i have changed the distribution of weight.
Any ideas on this would be a help (i know nothing about setting suspension up)

[slob]

In my experience, slightly less confidence in heavy braking (less feel/feedback) due to less weight over front wheel, other than that, bend your arms a little more at speed... no problem

[J.P]

Get your arse back, chest forward and on the inside of the corner and you'll be fine.

[J.P]

And counter steer.
And then counter steer more.

[Phatty]

^^^what J.P said.

Biggest issue with sitting upright isn't weight transfer it's wind. You act like a sail and the buffeting can drag the bike all over the place.

[J.P]

Anyway Scrapps. You speak like you've never done a trackday before. You'll be FINE !

[scrapps]

Anyway Scrapps. You speak like you've never done a trackday before. You'll be FINE !

Its not a problem being on the track i am looking forward to going round snetterton even more after watching bsb there a few weeks back.
Its just the bike is feeling a bit odd to ride with the new bars and i want to get the best i can while at the track.

[J.P]

Does it look like this then ???

http://www.ratrodbikes.us/uploads/7/6/3/0/7630650/5339539.jpg

[scrapps]

Errr no but i like that bike.

[utopia]

I agree with jp to a certain extent.....that countersteering might become more appropriate with the more upright riding position.
But I would say that you may find that hanging off in the turns becomes less relevant too...not that I do a great deal of that myself anyway, but its noticeable when I swap from the monster to my dirt-style Dommie (with its massively more upright riding position), that my lower body stays put and if anything my upper body shifts the other way, ie to the outside of the turn.
Obviously the differences on the monster would be less marked as the riding position will still be somewhat crouched, even with the higher bars.
To be honest, when I'm cruising on the monster I tend to adopt more of an upright, countersteering attitude to the turns anyway, as its less speed focused and also gives better vision through the turns.
You may also find that sitting a little further forward, tight up to the back of the tank, restores some of the weight on the front end, which gives more front end feel without the need to change suspension settings etc.
All this probably applies more in the slow speed turns though, rather than the faster turns which you refer to.

I have little practical knowledge of suspension settings too, but I would guess that if anything you might need a little more preload and/or compression damping on the rear and less on the front, to compensate for the change in weight distribution, but personally I wouldn't expect the changes to be enough to warrant much if any such adjustment. (I'm on thin ice here though).

[gary tompkins]

Get your arse back, chest forward and on the inside of the corner and you'll be fine.

Something like this?

http://www.theriderfiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Lawson-Pocono-80-sm.jpg

[scrapps]

I dont think i would ever look that good !
I just need to get a few mile on the bike and maybe a few practice corners (at speed) to get use to the new bars.

[Phatty]

It shouldn't matter a jot where the bars are with regards to weight distribution, as you shouldn't be putting any weight on the bars anyway. Normally, you should be still able to lean forwards and that's the weight issue sorted, not easy with a bad back.

The issue is your back and you having to sit upright. I was having similar problems last year when I did my back in, and all the handling issues and high speed wandering about and feeling of instability was mainly due to me sitting on the bike upright like a lump of wood. once I was more flexible and not so rigid on the bike the weaving issues stopped.

[scrapps]

It shouldn't matter a jot where the bars are with regards to weight distribution, as you shouldn't be putting any weight on the bars anyway. Normally, you should be still able to lean forwards and that's the weight issue sorted, not easy with a bad back.

The issue is your back and you having to sit upright. I was having similar problems last year when I did my back in, and all the handling issues and high speed wandering about and feeling of instability was mainly due to me sitting on the bike upright like a lump of wood. once I was more flexible and not so rigid on the bike the weaving issues stopped.

I see what your saying that the bars do not make much difference and its more me and the way i move on the bike. i agree that i don't move around as much as i should due to my back and this is a large part of the problem, so maybe i should be asking how best to compensate for my lack of movement on the bike :scratch: I can still move well with my back issues i just cant lean forward or sit still for a long period of time hence the taller bars,maybe i am moving wrong and not finding the correct style ? i also need to relax more !

[gary tompkins]

You could try dropping the forks yokes a bit to sharpen steering and load up the front.

[scrapps]

You could try dropping the forks yokes a bit to sharpen steering and load up the front.

yep that's something i have thought about but need to find the original settings/hights for my bike and start from factory setting first,after two rebuilds and 32k its prob way out buy now.
Trouble is i don't know much about setting it up so will have to spend some time reading some of the threads on settings first.

[slob]

If you were happy before the bar swap, how it is now is your starting point, no?

[Phatty]

Unfortunatley I think you'll struggle to do much about it. Rider stiffness and poor positioning affects the bike a great deal. Relying on resting on the bars to take the strain off your back doesn't help much either. The bike doesn't want your weight on the bars.

How about a tank bag or something for you to rest against?

I've been suffering from a herniated disc myself for over a year now. I feel your pain :-( One thing I can say is that that ride to work and laying on the tank is actually a great back stretch and does me good! once you have your upper body supported it takes the strain away from the back muscles.

[scrapps]

Errr no as i swapped the bars when i rebuilt it again after having the frame powder coated.
I did not think to make a note of the fork settings before i took it to bits :banghead:

[scrapps]

The weather is not helping as i have not been out on the bike much to get a feel for the way it rides.
I hope to try and finish adding yet more carbon this weekend before giving it a good long run.

[slob]

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=32672

[scrapps]

Cheers for the link I will have a play in the morning if this wind has died down a bit.

[crust]

I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Use it as an opportunity to try to be smoother, easy for 1st session, then up the ante a little each session.

I did one of the monster Mallory days with a knackered knee and didn't move on the bike at all, after first session didn't bother me, at our level hanging off isn't really neccesary.

[alan c]

Cheers for the link I will have a play in the morning if this wind has died down a bit.


Sorry your having trouble with wind, take a tablet :thumbsup:


As you know scrapps my back is not great and i cannot move around on the bike much now but i think once you ride a bit more you will get the confidence back. I am looking forward to Snetterton as it looks such a great circuit now. Think i will try more movement on the bike this time round, even if its only one or two corners to start with, just to see if i can !

[slob]

If you have an adjustable tie-rod on the rear, I believe the stock length should be 272mm between centres.

[crust]

Sorry your having trouble with wind, take a tablet :thumbsup:


As you know scrapps my back is not great and i cannot move around on the bike much now but i think once you ride a bit more you will get the confidence back. I am looking forward to Snetterton as it looks such a great circuit now. Think i will try more movement on the bike this time round, even if its only one or two corners to start with, just to see if i can !

Movements on the bike?

Mate, this is a family forum, lets leave the specialised stuff like that to the murkier parts of the net.

[gary tompkins]

Scrapps,

My 900ie trike has the stock forks as fitted at factory. Set at 20.5mm from top surface of fork cap (base of nut) to top yoke.

Other 900ie has 996 SBK forks and these are set at 19.5mm. Hope that helps?

[scrapps]

Cheers Gary I have moved mine down now from 13mm from top yoke to fork top to 17mm and it feels a lot better.
Checked the fork top to yoke bottom hight and it was to short hence I moved the forks thru more.

[scrapps]

Now I just need to get some riding time on the bike to sort my riding style a bit.

[Albie]

Now I just need to get some riding time on the bike to sort my riding style a bit.

I have to say Zippy has more style. Look at the photo. He looked very very confidant.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l209/albies4/Arrow%20mill%202011%20UKMOC/Arrow%20Mill%202012/IMG_0754.jpg

[scrapps]

Zippy is a very confidant chap,but can be very naughty at times.

[gary tompkins]

Re-checked the fork measurement to yoke on trike - It's 278mm from underside of bottom yoke to top fork cap

Looking at yours today at cafe you could maybe still drop 3 to 5mm

[scrapps]

Re-checked the fork measurement to yoke on trike - It's 278mm from underside of bottom yoke to top fork cap

Looking at yours today at cafe you could maybe still drop 3 to 5mm


Ok thanks gary