Handlebar/Handling

[stepnet1983]

Handlebars/Handling

Just picked up my new 2010 R3T on the 11th of December - love the bike. One of the things that I have a question about is concerning the handling of the bike in corners. She goes through the corners no problem but while turning into SOME I have noticed a bit of a bounce to the bars. This does not happen all the time - just on occasion. I am not sure if this normal - as in possibly the rubber bushings under the risers or maybe it is just characteristic of the R3T. It does not necessarily feel unsafe just a bit strange. By the way I transitioned to the R3T from a Road Star 1700. Thanks for any guidance you can throw my way.

 

[NM ROCKET]

Welcome from New Mexico.
Not sure about the R3T. never experienced it on my standard but I'm sure someone will chime in shortly.

 

[HellFire]

I've heard Touring owners complain of that, must be an R3T thing. Are there rubber mounts on T's? 'Cause there isn't on Standards.

 

[GPMAZ]

I've heard Touring owners complain of that, must be an R3T thing. Are there rubber mounts on T's? 'Cause there isn't on Standards.

Exactly. The bars are rubber mounted. I noticed it a bit at first, but not any more.

 

[stepnet1983]

Thanks for the info - I thought that was what I had read on another forum but couldn't remember for sure. Looking forward to putting some miles on the bike this coming Spring/Summer - wishing all a Happy Christmas.

 

[reinie]

"Bar Bounce"

I get the unsettling feeling like the fromt wheel is bouncing, slipping or skittering sideways when rounding tight turns. I thought it was the tire, but now you have me thinking it might be the rubber inserts between the handlebar risers and the triple tree. The bike otherwise behaves as though it isn't really slipping at all though. The rubber doesn't really dampen what small vibration the engine produces so what good is it?

 

[HellFire]

So are they just "comfort" items? Can they just be removed and go without like the Standard and Classic?
I haven't ridden a Touring since the demo at the dealer in '08 but I do remember that the Touring felt a little smoother overall than mine. At the time I figured it was the extra weight and the narrow tire but it makes sense that they would add some rubber isolators to a bike meant for comfort.
I wouldn't think the rubber is all that important if it can be taken out and tightened down, might lead to more handlebar vibration though. My stock mouse ear mirrors were worthless over 3000rpm from the engine vibration, the sturdier billet stems on it now helped alot. They don't buzz nearly as bad as the stockers did.

 

[stepnet1983]

Not sure if they could be removed or not but if you could they would need to be replaced wtih solid bushings of some sort I'm sure. I know on my Road Star there were after-market solid bushings that you could put in place of the rubber bushings if you wanted to - maybe Triumph offers this option. For my part I'm going to give it some time to see if it "grows on me" or not. I have had my fill of after-market mods after having my Road Star for 3 years and modding it to "make it my own", now I'm looking forward to enjoying some good British engineering. May consider some things later on but for now .............

 

[Captain Bob]

I have an 08 R3T with about 6K on the clock. This is my second R3. My first was an 05 Standard. I have not noticed what you are talking about at all. I do notice a bit of wallowing from the suspension in turns. Could this be what you are feeling? My R3 Standard did not have this wallowing feeling. I am thinking that this may be what you are feeling. I can see how you could interpret the wallowing as handlebar "bounce". I attribute this as a result of too soft suspension, weight and long wheelbase. If the suspension was stiffened up a bit, it would go away.

Anyway... just my 2 cents.

 

[HellFire]

If you can grab the bars and torque them up and down ... then it's the rubber between the tree and the bars. That's what guys who installed the Rivco risers on their Touring models were complaining about ... the extra rise made for more leverage on the rubber.

I guess it's a trade off like everything else ...

You'll probably get used to it and appreciate the anti-vibe-e-ness in the long run.
(I just invented a new word)