Light front end

[ray1151]

So here we are in Getaria in Northern Spain, good first overseas trip on the Kwak stopping at Orleans and Bordeaux only using the autoroute when necessary. Got a 55 litre top box on as well as a tank bag but I am a bit nervous of the front end, obviously all the weight is packed in the side panniers and I have changed the end can to a much lighter one but after about 100mph the front end becomes really light, we are two up but the wife is quite small. Anyone else noticed this, I have cracked the rear spring up, is there anything I'm missing?

[PRD]

Don't go over 100 mph that's the answer. Kawasaki stay not over 85 fully laden and if you are caught it will be an expensive trip.

[O.C.]

Don't go over 100 mph that's the answer. Kawasaki stay not over 85 fully laden and if you are caught it will be an expensive trip.

What Pete said   

Maybe adjust tyre pressures too  ?  if you haven't already done so 

[mikeyw64]

wind up the preload on the rear a little?

[Boomer]

If you wanna do over 100 two up with luggage then you need to drop the screen to its lowest position. With it In the up position it is lifting the front. In the lowest position it is adding downforce to the front. Oh, and prepare for neckache 

[ray1151]

Ah, thanks, fear not I have the TomTom 400 with European speed cameras. Just hate autoroutes/autobahn/motorways/autostrada and whatever the Belgians & Dutch call them, you could be anywhere in Europe they're all so boring I always end up booting it despite good intentions. Off to Pau the slow way on Tues then I'll try the screen down going up to Poitiers on Wed. Tyre pressure checked on 44psi.

[wildybeast]

Mine does it at them speeds.I feel safe though after a getting used to it.Cross winds are the worst.I tend to ride closer to the central reservation to block the wind. Enjoy your trip .Geteria is a nice place.Stayed there a couple of nights.Recommend the fish resteraunt at the end of the dock where the locals eat .

[Icefever]

 

Ah, thanks, fear not I have the TomTom 400 with European speed cameras.  I always end up booting it despite good intentions. Off to Pau the slow way on Tues then I'll try the screen down going up to Poitiers on Wed. Tyre pressure checked on 44psi.

Been back 2 weeks now from our trip to France, we had both panniers at 7kgs along with the top box at around 6kgs.  The tank bag was about 3/4 kgs and never noticed any problems with a light front end, and we did sit at 85/95 mph.  As the guys have said try the rear damper, it may help.

A little warning about using a sat-nav on your way up to Poitiers, turn off the speed cam warning if the fuzz stops you,  you will get done. 

[ray1151]

It's fine around 90 it doesn't feel at all right over that, I think we have a bit more weight on board,  tomtom's warn you of the area there may be a speed camera rather than pinpointing them which as you say could be an issue. On our last bike we changed the spring for a heavier one, we'll see, all very new at the moment, think I'm going to have it remapped though, the low speed throttle snatch is appalling and I can't see a lot of mpg difference between eco and full power modes.

[O.C.]

throttle snatch can improved/eliminated by 'recalibrating' the throttle/twist grip,

Its worth trying and there is instruction on here how to perform this simple task, I  can't find the thread at the moment, but someone will be along soon with a link

[Icefever]

I can't find it on here, there's a vid on YouTube but I  can't work out how to link from YT to here on my phone.
Search for ...."Concours 1400 choppy throttle"  it takes about 1 min to do.

Brian

[O.C.]

Here ya go     


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tdkwHXydy4 

[ray1151]

Thanks guys, I shall certainly do that before we set off today. Yesterday we rode from Pau to Poitiers using only about 60 miles of autoroute out of 270 miles. During the 60 miles I had a good play with the screen, very comfortable cruising at 110 with the screen raised about 1\3. No problems with the front end.
Nice carpark at the hotel here foc, parked next to a black 1400gtr with a UK plate. Hello whoever you are. Off to Caen today. Before this trip I went to the Harz Mountains in Germany for the annual Suzuki SV meet, haven't used my wet weather gloves yet, fingers crossed two days to go.

[Icefever]

How did the throttle recal go then Ray??? We lived for 4 years about a 40 mins drive from Poitiers. We went down via Poits to fill up and grab some grub on our way down last month.

Enjoy the rest of your holls and safe riding...

[ray1151]

Can't say I noticed a lot of difference to be honest.