RT3 Oversteer?

[BOND007]

In my first post in this, new to me group, I stated that I had just bought a 2015 Touring and is seemed to be extra hard to control the steering at slow speeds. I went out riding yesterday to try and get used to it. Even at speeds of 25 to 30 mph the steering is uneasy. If the pavement is uneven, sloping to the side, I have to really hold the steering to keep it going straight. It will not hold a straight line without holding the handle bars, going 20 mph. Oversteer is what the problem is, I believe. I have had multiple bikes in the past 35 years, but never experienced this. The front tire is about half warn, so I would expect some understeer, but no. I checked the tire pressure and it is 32, which is a little low so I aired up both to the recommended psi, but still the amount of oversteer is unnerving. The bike only has 11000 miles and is in pristine condition. Other than new tires, which should not make that much difference, I don't really think anything can be done. Any experience or comments would be welcome. Thanks, Sid

 

[jake shaw]

I like to run higher tyre pressures than recommended (40lb out front) Also check the Triple tree bearings for adjustment.

 

[BOND007]

I like to run higher tyre pressures than recommended (40lb out front) Also check the Triple tree bearings for adjustment.

Thanks for your time Jake! I will try upping the pressure. Not sure how to check the bearings, but I will look into it. With no more miles than is on it, I wouldn't think they would be worn, but it is worth checking.

 

[atomsplitter]

Check the bearings front and back. If you have a center stand you can jack the front wheel off the ground and check for play in the headstock. Check the rear wheel bearings for play as well. The Gen 1 Touring version rides a 180 section rear tire if memory serves, so any play in any wheel bearings will affect its steering. Side note, to ruin the wheel bearings all you need is good intentions and a pressure washer.

 

[BOND007]

Check the bearings front and back. If you have a center stand you can jack the front wheel off the ground and check for play in the headstock. Check the rear wheel bearings for play as well. The Gen 1 Touring version rides a 180 section rear tire if memory serves, so any play in any wheel bearings will affect its steering. Side note, to ruin the wheel bearings all you need is good intentions and a pressure washer.

Thanks for getting back! I never use a pressure washer! I will look into your suggestions.

 

[atomsplitter]

Thanks for getting back! I never use a pressure washer! I will look into your suggestions.

Doesn't mean a previous owner had your intelligence. I had an 81 Yamaha XS 1100 years ago that was prone to oversteer and follow road camber. I corrected it with a Telefix fork brace. The Rocket regardless of iteration doesn't have the same flexi-flyer frame problem of that old Yammie. The engine is the frame and everything bolts to it, so it your bike is acting oddly there must be something other than the frame causing it. Check your fork seals aren't leaking and start going through the process of elimination. As Conan Doyle notes, "Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."

 

[Jagster]

Yep.... I've experienced a wheel bearing failure with a bike having very low miles on it. So I can say that it can happen.
Also...These bikes are pretty heavy so the load on the bearings are not inconsequential if there was any slight defect in them when new.

Definitely worth checking the headstock for any play, as suggested.

Irregular tyre wear and tracking/alignment are potential causes of the symptoms, but they are a bit more of a wild card compared to headstock & wheel bearing play.

The quick & dirty way to check for play could be to get someone to rock the bike forward and backward with the brake applied while you see if there is any slight movement in the headstock.....could also listen for any clicking sounds etc.... Not a substitute for getting the bike off the ground, but if the free-play is bad, you'd probably see it using the roadside method.

 

[BOND007]

Doesn't mean a previous owner had your intelligence. I had an 81 Yamaha XS 1100 years ago that was prone to oversteer and follow road camber. I corrected it with a Telefix fork brace. The Rocket regardless of iteration doesn't have the same flexi-flyer frame problem of that old Yammie. The engine is the frame and everything bolts to it, so it your bike is acting oddly there must be something other than the frame causing it. Check your fork seals aren't leaking and start going through the process of elimination. As Conan Doyle notes, "Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."

Thanks for your time and consideration.

 

[BOND007]

Yep.... I've experienced a wheel bearing failure with a bike having very low miles on it. So I can say that it can happen.
Also...These bikes are pretty heavy so the load on the bearings are not inconsequential if there was any slight defect in them when new.

Definitely worth checking the headstock for any play, as suggested.

Irregular tyre wear and tracking/alignment are potential causes of the symptoms, but they are a bit more of a wild card compared to headstock & wheel bearing play.

The quick & dirty way to check for play could be to get someone to rock the bike forward and backward with the brake applied while you see if there is any slight movement in the headstock.....could also listen for any clicking sounds etc.... Not a substitute for getting the bike off the ground, but if the free-play is bad, you'd probably see it using the roadside method.

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions!

 

[Tripps]

It's an 800 lb pig, you expected something different?