Been away from Interceptors since 1993 when i sold my 1984 VF750R. Today i rode my 2002 VFR800 to the garage for a new tire and inspection. From the minute i was up to 25mph i could see that i was in for trouble. The steering resisted any attempt to change direction. Definite pressure was needed to initiate any lean etc. Reminded me a whole lot of the old Honda ATCs, remember them? Well anyways, the front tire was bald and cupped just to the sides of center, so there is a definite farm tractor thing goin' on. I am having a Road Pilot 4 installed, and a good safety check and test ride by the shop. I didn't notice anything like it when i test rode it back at the end of December. I'd be curious of your own impressions of the VFR's handling with various tires. Anybody ever feel what i did? No motorcycle should ever resist rider input, correct? The old 750R was a real natural at lazy esses on the highway, it instilled confidence and made riding feel a lot like play. Hoping the Pilot Road 4's make it feel like a motorcycle again.
Low tire pressure alone will make even a good tire feel just as you describe. I can tell when mine has dropped by just 3 or 4 pounds. Being old and worn out only makes the conditions worse.
Low tire pressure alone will make even a good tire feel just as you describe. I can tell when mine has dropped by just 3 or 4 pounds. Being old and worn out only makes the conditions worse.
:1: Low or worn tire will kill any bikes handling, no doubt a new front tire will cure your ills.
Did you happen to check air pressure before you road off? Bad boy ! :blush2:
Welcome Aboard! And kudos for posting a pic with your initial post. As mentioned, steering head bearings and tire/tire pressure are the first places to look.
Another vote for tire pressure. I can tell if mine is 3-5 psi low when riding it. Pushing it around the garage, it has to be about 10 psi low for me to tell.
From miles1962 ...."Anybody ever feel what i did? No motorcycle should ever resist rider input, correct? "
The answer is YES ...First and thankfully the last time I rode a modern era Harley, in Phoenix. If my memory is right (also quoting a reply .."old and worn out") an 103 ci. '07 HD Night Train, springer front end, with 21 inch spoked wheel and a 17 inch f a t rear tire on a solid disc wheel. I am no Shakie Byrnes ...but riding that HD was exactly as stated ...as in every movement and input to the bike was met with resistance, this includes trying to lean and steer thro' a gentle "sweeper" and attempting to stop for lighted intersections. And "U" turns on a two lane road..I needed both lanes and bit of gravel to get hauled around. The bike was a cherry, low miles, recently serviced. The nearest I can relate it to is driving a loaded CAT 6X6 off road truck on an icy clay road surface ..meaning there was no operator input that had a reasonable response from the machine... Made me very happy to hop back on my VFR and enjoy full control/responses.
+1 on tire pressure. In fact, the fellow I bought my VFR from had just bought it himself a few weeks prior to selling it to me and said he was selling it because he hated the handling and liked his Harley better. I rode it down the block--He was right, it was terrible. Everything else was perfect so I bought it. A quick trip to the gas station checking pressure showed it had about 10lbs pressure in one tire and less than that in the other tire! A little air fixed that problem and I got a great bike for a good price. Crazy, eh?
I had a bad pressure gauge and believed it and adjusted my tires accordingly...was like trying to steer a side of beef. Got home and checked with another gauge...pressures were WAY off. Brought them back to where they needed to be and all was well. Thankfully the gas station I had stopped at first was only ~1/2 mile away. Broke that crappy gauge into bits.
Every fifth gen I've owned (five) has needed steering head bearings replaced, several at less than 35,000 mi. One at 28,000.
Here is how to check.
With the bike on it's center stand, put weight on the rear to bring the front end off the ground, then turn the front end from lock-to-lock. There should be no notchieness or slop. Mine usually felt like there was a detent in the center. The most obvious symptom was extreme vibration in front end while hands off while decelerating. Also vagueness in steering feel. There may be some of that without worn bearings, due to cupped tires or natural instability (?).