hi all, just came back from a trip to Germany and on the autobahn the GTR was shakening at 120mph and quite scary at 130. so the question is whats causing it and whats the fix. by the way there was 2 of us on identical 2008 bikes and both behaved in the same way.
Do you mean wobble like a wheel out of balance, or the whole bike weaving/wobbling ?
What was your luggage configuration ?
the whole bike weaving, givi top box
Then I would guess at too much weight at rear, or not enough pre-load on the rear.
Unless of course you have not had that problem before under similar circumstances.
Also Kawasaki warn in the handbook not to exceed 130 kph/80mph when carrying a passenger or cargo [ I know we all do it, but they must have a reason :whistling:]
Quote from: doebag on July 28, 2016, 11:23:38 AM
Then I would guess at too much weight at rear, or not enough pre-load on the rear.
Unless of course you have not had that problem before under similar circumstances.
Also Kawasaki warn in the handbook not to exceed 130 kph/80mph when carrying a passenger or cargo [ I know we all do it, but they must have a reason :whistling:]
:agree:...classic scenario when loaded and travelling fast
might be pre load on the rear then?
luggage was
1pr trainers
1pr jeans
3prs socks
3prs boxers
4 tee shirts
I sweat shirt
small wash bag
phone charger
rest of the gear was in panniers
Its about weight and distribution, of course suspension setting need to be adjusted accordingly :yes:
Quote from: stoketim on July 28, 2016, 11:30:54 AM
might be pre load on the rear then?
luggage was
1pr trainers
1pr jeans
3prs socks
3prs boxers
4 tee shirts
I sweat shirt
small wash bag
phone charger
rest of the gear was in panniers
Sounds like me going away for a fortnight, I like to travel light :laugh:
I was away for a fortnight, everything can be washed easily
Definitely too many socks. That is your problem!
We went to Austria last month, 2 up, each pannier packed with 8 kg on board and top box with 12 kg inside, oh and a full tank bag. I weigh 12 st and the wife about 9 st. No problem on the autobhan or any other roads. The bike never missed a beat or caused any concerns except for a funny period after filling up with the crap Aria 95 octane petrol.
We have been away many times and have learned how to load the bike to suit us, ie loads of shoes for her and a pair of flip flops for me.
I have clocked 141mph..( the 1mph is important, as my previous best was 140mph ) fully loaded panniers and top box and nary a wobble to be found.. I was solo. perhaps that had some bearing on the smooth ride :yes:
Quote from: iamkwackers on July 28, 2016, 08:19:27 PM
I have clocked 141mph..( the 1mph is important, as my previous best was 140mph ) fully loaded panniers and top box and nary a wobble to be found.. I was solo. perhaps that had some bearing on the smooth ride :yes:
I can't see any mention of you getting nicked for speeding :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: moayling on July 28, 2016, 09:14:39 PM
I can't see any mention of you getting nicked for speeding :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Fortunately Mo, when the sneaky mobile camera got me :censored: I was only 5mph over the limit :clap:, so was offered a speed awareness course, which I readily accepted :banana: :banana: still cost me £85, but no points on the licence :yes: :yes: :punk:
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Put the screen on full height and give it some ,the front goes light and has a unstable feel to it at very high speed 110 plus , I have had it go into a light weave at 145 making me back off ,not done it again tho , :biker3:
Bear in mind an 08 model will have a fairly tired rear shock and you'll be asking it to do some work carrying even just the weight of 3 panniers/bags at that speed. This used to be an issue with Honda Pan's when they carried some weight. I think it's common with a lot of softly sprung bikes carrying weight at speed
Quote from: ChrisB on July 28, 2016, 04:34:33 PM
We went to Austria last month, 2 up, each pannier packed with 8 kg on board and top box with 12 kg inside, oh and a full tank bag. I weigh 12 st and the wife about 9 st. No problem on the autobhan or any other roads. The bike never missed a beat or caused any concerns except for a funny period after filling up with the crap Aria 95 octane petrol.
We have been away many times and have learned how to load the bike to suit us, ie loads of shoes for her and a pair of flip flops for me.
I recognise that packing technique! :agree:
Quote from: iamkwackers on July 28, 2016, 08:19:27 PM
I have clocked 141mph..( the 1mph is important, as my previous best was 140mph ) fully loaded panniers and top box and nary a wobble to be found.. I was solo. perhaps that had some bearing on the smooth ride :yes:
I've done in excess of 155mph with overloaded panniers, overloaded top box, solo but I weigh as much as two, rock solid and more to come if I wanted it (obviously this was on an unrestricted part of German Autobahn)(or it might have been near Le Mans !!!)
If you are wobbling check tyre pressures and remaining tread, increase rear preload, check load distribution, any or all can have an effect
Coman
thanks for all your reply's. birdpilot I was solo but weight nearly as much as you and the Mrs birdpilot. :mfr_lol: Topbox and pannier defo not overloaded and tyre pressures 42 front and rear. but as I said a Big thanks for all the tips. :clap:
.
Quote from: Daisy on July 30, 2016, 09:45:38 AM
The GPS says mine got to 224kmh or 139 mph. There was a cross wind that made it wobble at 180kmh and I got to the maximum in a sheltered part of the road, so it wobbled violently once it hit the wind again and caused me to drop to a safer speed. I had loaded panniers and a 57 litre topbox. The box wasn't anywhere near full, but the size might have a lot to do with it.
As they say Daisy....size matters.... :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Quote from: O.C. on July 28, 2016, 11:26:13 AM
:agree:...classic scenario when loaded and travelling fast
So ditch the passenger and the cargo and you're good to go up to 180mph.
This sounds like the beginning of a tank slapper. Many things can cause your weeble to wobble. Let me count some of the ways: bearings (both wheel and head), tightness of the head bearings, tires, weight distribution on the bike, suspension setup, road surface etc.... I've had mine up to 100mph with nary a wobble (loaded, no passenger as the wife would surely kill me if I went that fast with her on board.).