hey there all....i recenly purchased a 2011 48 sportster, and im trying to come to grips with some handling issues i have...the other night i took it for a ride and wouldnt you guess it pisses down.so with only 60ks on the clock i took it easy cruising in the left hand lane, and hit a section where they had repaird a section of pot holes... it had left a bit of a spoon effect through the section,as i hit the section the bike breaks into head shake and let me tell you i was worrried....ive ridden throu head shake before and know backing off doesnt help.so rolled on the throttle and tighten grips a little and came throu ok....any one had this expeirence or have some ideas to share please feel free to comment.....im 6ft 1 65kilos the bike has 16 inch tyres front and rear......
well done to hang on. At least you knew to give her a bit more.
i too havent had that happen on mine but the same as cookster just a bit of wallowing around some lumpy bends at speed.
our roads are shit up here all the time.
They come fitted with a fork brace .
thanks for the reply...i also ride a wr426f2 dirt bike with all the trimmings, and the rule was your not off till your handle bar hits the dirt.(so i think i was hanging on)but will keep in mind.....as for the experience its sought off like the steering goes from left steering lock to right steering lock and back 20 times in about 100 meters.....if in doubt throttle out..
Check your tyre pressure as well.
thank for all the great information guys its been very helpfull....now correct me if im wrong!! a tankslapper is when the ass end is overstreering due to heavy throttle use, then u back off and it gets traction and slambs u in to the tank.....as on my old r6 when u where exiting a corner and the back is driffting out then it suddenly hooks up.now thats a tank slapper..head shake normally is when you say power shift from first to second and the front bars start going from left lock to right lock very quickly.anyway peter stevens picked up the bike and said there was bearing movement so all 48 owners make sure you get it checked.rode to dayelsford and back yesterday and it was a big improvement..
well maybe its me,or my chicken stick arms but ive lost confidence in my 48.so peter stevens have agreed to take the bike back and let me upgrade to a 2011 xr1200x ..so i went to peter stevens and test rode the xr1200x and i was really impressed.allmost like a jap harley and please dont take any offence to that statement, just with the fully adjustable suspension it really handles great.loves to rev and the brakes are fantastic.,13.3 litre tank now your talking.now im just waiting for delivery.
Whatever suits. I definately wouldn't think most people are buying 48's for handling and brake performance (a lot replace shocks and spring at least). Im sure most want the look of a fat front tyre and small tank.
If its agile performance, handling and braking you want, thats what the XR's were built for yeah?
SJ
