Common Motorcycle Handling Issues and How to Fix Them | MC Garage
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
- Does your bike wobble, or is it steering heavier than it used to? We examine the top five handling issues and what causes them.
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Pretty much any problem that arises with the way your bike turns or tracks or handles will be the result of something breaking, wearing out, or wandering out of specification. If something breaks, the change will be sudden, while other issues may be progressive and worsen over time.
Far and away the most common handling problem that people encounter is heavy, high-effort steering. If you find that you have to use a lot of muscle to initiate a turn and then you have to keep pressure on the grips to hold your line through a corner, the first thing you should check are your tires. A worn profile will cause this kinda handling, but so will underinflated tires, even if they’re just two or three pounds.
Another complaint we hear from the MC Garage audience is about a bike that doesn’t want to track straight. That might mean it weaves down the road or even pulls to one side. If that’s the case, the first thing you want to verify is that your wheels are aligned, and if you have spoke wheels, check to see that there aren’t any loose ones. Loose steering head, swingarm, or wheel bearings could also be the culprit. But don’t confuse an actual instability issue with “tramlining,” which is when your bike’s tires follow grooves in the road. We have grooved concrete on the highways here in SoCal, and it can make it feel like there’s a ghost steering your bike. There’s nothing you can do about that except relax and let it happen, or take a different route.
If your bike is vibrating a lot more than it used to, someone may have swapped your multi-cylinder bike out for a single, or a major bolt may have loosened up. Better put a torque wrench on the nuts and bolts that secure the engine to the frame. If, however, it feels like the vibrations are coming from the wheels, you may have lost a wheel weight, a wheel might be out-of-true, or there may be something wrong with your tires. Check your tires for bulges or damage and spin your wheels to see if they’re still straight.
Next up, ride quality. If your bike has gotten more sensitive to bumps and is feeling harsh, your suspension may be binding. This is something that’ll happen progressively as fork bushings wear and the oil gets dirty, or as the swingarm or suspension-linkage bearings dry out and seize. Or, you might just have over-inflated tires which can make for a rough ride.
Finally, a handlebar or clip-ons that start to wobble as soon as you loosen your grip can be pretty unnerving, but it’s not uncommon. Front-tire wear is often the perpetrator, but some of the previously mentioned issues, like loose head bearings or improper tire inflation, can cause this sorta issue too. In the end, most of these handling problems can be avoided by performing basic maintenance and safety checks.
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Best MC channel on the 'tube.
Absolutely right :-)
I'm glad you think so. Thanks for watching.
-So far my favourite ones are :
-- English
Motorcyclist Magazine
Fort Nine
--Russian
Vshleme
Stuntexru
Have you heard of PowerDrift ?
44teeth is up there for sure
You just saved me a trip to a mechanic, literally. I have wobble and right pulling. Knowing what to check and might have to take care of or repair, thank you. I am now hooked and will definitely be coming back for more videos. A million thanks not only from me but also my cruiser. Love your shop, too. Neat, clean and well laid out.
I’m facing the same issue. What was your diagnosis?
how you fix right pulling issue?
I have right pulling issue too
You, Zac and the rest of MC magazine team have my thanks for outstanding quality content.
A video to keep! As a novice rider, I love these advices.
Congrats on the new sponsors! This is an awesome show making riders smarter and safer 👍
Excellent video Ari! I already know all this stuff, but it's a treasure trove for newer riders. Wealth of info, which took forever to learn, in just a few minutes!
Bought a Motion Pro chain alignment tool. Never though I'll buy one (fancy thing), and used a precision ruler to align the wheel. The new tool arrived and I'd buy it again. Thanks for you Ari and MM/MC Garage guys too!
My front end started wobbling once I hit 50..........years old that is. Great work Ari as always :-)
Hi Ari, with this video you guys have just become my favourite YT channel! YOU ARE THE BEST!
With reference to handling let me bring my contribution based on my personal experience (28 years riding this year):
1. Tyres get unevenly worn (flat in their center) and lead to stability problems, just like ari said. Solution is never let them wear too unevenly, for this reason try avoiding riding more than 200 miles on motorways (straight), adapt the tyre pressure when you load a passenger. If the tyre is becoming flat you can try carefully riding a bit sportier and gently lean down in order to progressively smoothen the profile. 80miles this way should be enough if the tyre condition is not too bad.
2. Always take a good and well stored and mantained pressure gauge with you, or rely on those at a tyre workshop, don't trust that much in gauges at gas stations, since they are often mistreated and they can be unreliable.
3. If your bike feels hard to corner or unstable into the curves, than carefully check your suspensions' sag: the wrong trim is the king of problems when dealing with motorcycle handling. This is pretty a delicate matter and I would tremendously like that Ari makes a video on this.
3 bis. If you have bought a second hand motorbike then it is possible that the previous owner has tweaked/tampered something, for example he could have slid the forks up or down. Carefully ask him to detail what was done (changed springs, oil or something) and restore the stock setting (find them in owner manual or refer to your local dealer), in order to start from a well known starting point. Since this point was defined by the manufacturer...then it can not be so far from the optimal setting.
4. HAVE FUN.
I’d like to say that I love watching MC Garage, you guys explain everything so simply. Funny that mention handling - I just got my steering head bearings replaced and my GSXR feels like a different bike!
We're glad you enjoy the vids. Ride safe.
Actually
Thank you! For making the contents available to us which we wont find anywhere
And ari does the explanation so well👍🏻
The first thing I did when I bought my bike was buy the clymer manual and it has helped me understand so much. Ps. I would pay money for this channel and I appreciate all the effort and time put into it.
the knowledge 1 can obtain from this brotherman right here is endlesss
Been coming back to these for years thanks man
Ari is the man! He really does answer question and promptly I might add. He got back to me with a couple questions on my zx14r and every answer spot on as well. I have learned How to do a ton of basic maintenance on my bike and saved sooooooooo much money
Glad we were able to help. We try to answer as many questions as possible.
Top notch like always !
I hit Thumbs up everytime MC Garage posts a new video. Thank you for always providing informational topics.
No, no. Thank you !
You guys are awesome. Love n Support from India !
This channel is really great for motorcycle enthusiasts.
Best motorcycle info on the web hands down
Agreed!
Whether you're a nub or experienced, you always learn something new from these videos
Glad to see you, Ari.. Keep it coming!
Hell yeah, Ari! Keep making these, I'll keep watching them.
Current projects: replacing brake and body parts on my FZ1, exhuast replacement on my Buell XB9, customizing my GS500, and rebuilding my KLR250 (engine's dead). I also have a Shadow 650 frame and parts to build a bobber or cafe bike.
Sounds like you've got a lot of projects. Right on!
I do love your video series.They are outstanding.
Love ur videos dude
Helps me learn way more about my bikes
This videos are fantastic! Thanks for making them.
We appreciate your sponsors, old and new....!!
Thanks, Ari. Keep up the good work.
You taught me that the reading on the tire wall for pressure is the max not the recommended so thanks for that.
Excellent video good information. I found overinflated tires gave too hard of a ride on my motorcycle
Thanks for all help and congrats on the new place and sponsors!
Thanks Jimmy.
A wonderful video. Very precise and informative. I learned a lot on how to do maintenance on my bike from you guys.
Great job, and keep on posting guys.
I would like to make a request on when & how to check valve clearance on an engine.
Thank you.
Another great video I appreciate you making him I learned so much keep up the good work
Hello from Germany. Even over here there are people who really enjoy Your videos. Keep going with all that good stuff!
Nice to know we have an international audience.
Thank YOU! Love this channel, it's inspired me to make some of my own motorcycle content
Glad you guys are back 😎
Looking forward to spring and getting back on the road!
Very nice video
And thanks to you people also for providing us with such useful information every time ..👍🏻👍🏻👌👌
Your videos are really inspiring and educational for bike lover, thanks and keep it up
Thanks Subir, that's music to our ears.
I have a CBR 250R 2011 model - Exactly just like you said my bike pulls over to one side, before you said I changed my cone set or steering set and still had issues of bike pulling over to one side now I know the problem my front wheel is bend this might be the issue and also the alignment I'll get it done. Thanks Ari Henning and MC garage 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks for all your videos, your advices and tutorials. You have a french follower now ! Good job and ride safe ✌ 👍
Nice, thanks Maxime.
Hey, my motorcycle handling is kinda funny like weaves down the road when I try to run above 70-80kmph.. it's not that bad but I noticed it. And I think it's dangerous..
And today, MC garage upload the exact thing I need.
I don't have time to watch right now but I will automatically like cuz this channel is awesome
you guys are the best!!! tons and tons of info THANK Uwould u be able to talk about suspensions and how to kniw when they need to be repaired
Congrats, MC Garage team.
Very good, we needed this
I'm glad to see you back :-)
Great vid as awalys. Love how pro this show is getting.
my dudes, I would really appreciate a video from you guys on "tank slappers" the types, how to prevent them, and what to do if you get them...This could save someones life one day. There are way too many different opinions (accelerate, maintain speed, stay loose, lightly grip bars, no brakes, back brake, etc) on the internet but I trust you guys to give the best answer.
Great stuff!
Appreciate! Keep it coming!
The timing of these videos are uncanny, are going to check my
rear suspension linkage today. Due to weird feel in corners and a squeking noise
at small bumps. Keep ’em coming 👍🏻🏍
Keep up the great videos
Without a doubt the Best; straight to the topic no BS motorcycle talk Channel
Keep it up guys
No BS is what we're all about.
thanks for nice information 👍
Great vid's mate. Lot's of great advice. How about doing one on stator's and regulators :). Having problems with my '07 GSXR 750
Good stuff as always! Keep um comming.
Awesome glad your back. !! 🇺🇸
good stuff...really helps those that don't know
Love your videos Ari. Would love to see one explaining aftermarket Air Filters like K&Ns cotton based filter. I’ve heard sources say after installing higher air flow filters you should reprogram the ECU, but others say it’s not necessary.
That's a good topic Julian. Some bikes do need a rejet/remapp since the K&N flows so much more air and lots of stock bikes are already running boarderline lean.
Great video
Looking forward to more videos
thanks man. you are the best!!
Welcome back MC. Has been a while. 👍
Thanks Ari & Team!!!
Thanks for this very informative video..
Thanks, very helpful 👍
Check out that like ratio! I love what you guys are doing btw I've learned a lot!
Keep going man
Nice videos
precise and useful.
Very informative!
Nice information....please make a video on tyre dry rot
you guys are some of the best moto peeps out there :D:D
Thanks! We try. ;)
Quality info channel for sure.
Another great vid!
Your show is very good it`s informative and well presented and yes, it is most entertaining, but I do wish you would spend more time and go deeper into the subjects you cover, eg a lot of people learn by explaining how it works before just giving them the answer to the problem,(more time explaining the principal of the item) your approach gives the cure but not how to prevent and I do believe you are true motorcycle enthusiasts and also realise if you explained how the system was supposed to work most viewers would be able to figure out why it is not working and one day when they are in the middle of nowhere and you are not there to help them they will be armed with enough information to ascertain the problem by themselves and I think this is your shows ultimate goal.
PS sorry for the bad punctuation there but I was on a passionate rant:)
Very nice video as always. Could you also make a Video of how to properly clean your motorcycle? Also about wax/polishing the right parts?
Hello James, after doing atleast 750km of motorcycling as a courier over 6 years aehy found sure Progressive Suspension USA make great progressive springs but you may have to chop up spacers let alone ad a bunch of Aussie 20¢ pieces as spacers, the best way to improve fork rebound is say if you're riding a 250cc you'll be using 5w fork oil go to 10w if a 600cc go to 15w as 10w fork oil is often standard but usually most commuter riders don't have opportunity for 200kph thus soft factory suspension settings, enjoy.
More videos from the mc garage, please 🙌
Thanks for the info. Nice video.
Ari....you are the best man
My two cents for the vast number of us on 70s-90s UJM (or retro bikes designed after them):
1. Torque your front axle pinch bolts as a regular maintenance item. Hondas for sure, but I'd guess any UJM, have a pinch collar that doesn't actually tighten all the way down (it just isn't designed to. Thats in order to prevent bottoming while the axle is loose), and hence the pinch bolts/nuts can become loose. Even a few foot pounds loose there puts you at much higher risk for front wheel wobble, and at worst if they get really loose you could be very susceptible to tank slappers, even in regular street cornering.
2. If your front end tracks weirdly to one side or just kinda feels 'off' while turning (it's hard to describe, but you'll know it if you feel it), check/ideally replace your fork seals. UJMs, and really any single front disk bike, put uneven pressure on the forks under braking. This gets more severe under panic braking (looking at you learners on UJMs who wanted a cheap beater to learn on). The result is that the disk side seal might leak just slightly earlier than the non-disk side, so in that period where the seal is just starting to wear out, you'll get some weird handling going on. Replacing fork seals isn't an insanely difficult job, and it's a good thing to get in the habit of doing if you intend to keep riding these older bikes.
That was cool cheers.
Subscribed and liked!
hey i really like your chanel and videos, great job!! is there any good video or recomendation for braking in the new engine... because there are so many different guidelines - low rews, high rews, braking hard, braking soft etc.... thank you guys and keep doing what you do best!!!!! greetings!!!!!!
Very needed
Fuel controllers... you guys touched on them quickly but there are so many options out there, would love to know how you guys would go about picking the most appropriate unit for the job: street bike, track bike, etc. Oh and add-ons/accessories.
Great Video!
This would be even better if you can accompany it with a blog / forum post detailing each problem, and ranking the cause by the most common to the least common (i.e. check your tyre pressure -> tyre profile -> etc for heavy steering) that way people can check it themselves before doing a (probably) pricy maintenance on the nearest bike shop
And while we're on the topic, just wondering, if one were to adjust steering head bearing by only loosening up the lock nut but not the fork clamp, what effect would it have on the steering of the bike? I've gone to a lot of bike shop around me, and the mechanics seems to have their own way of adjusting the steering head collar, some of them loosen the fork clam and lock nut, some of them said that only the lock nut need to be loosened up, and there are even some who just straight up bring a hammer to the collar without loosening anything. Is there different ways of adjusting the steering head? (for reference, the bike i ride is a cbr 150, pretty much just a downsized cbr 250 single cylinder)
still waiting for the episode that's explain all about suspension; what is pre-load? damping? compression? and everything about them. nice video as always tho, clicked the like button even before I watch the video (y)
Nice vid! Qq... So if I have high speed lightness in the front of my bike is it a good idea to raise the rear to add weight to the front... Even with non-adjustable forks? (Ducati s2r)
maaaan ide love that new MC T !!!!!
How can I tell the difference between valve clatter and cam chain noise? I get the clatter on my zx-14 on cold start and hard revs.
Love the show, keep up the good work.
Thank you.
Thanks for the upload
You're welcome.
Yeeeeeyyy MC garage! I love the new place!
hey Ari, Could you do a video on the funky paralever suspension systems like on some BMW's and the new goldwing? How they benefit comfort, handeling, steering feel or geometry?
I was going to ask the same thing.
Great topic suggestion, thanks Dank. We'll add it to the list.
Looking forward to it.
On BMW's its called Telelever, I had a 2012 BMW R1200R naked bike with it. It doesn't get as impacted by bumps and uneven road surfaces as a regular fork setup but it also doesn't have as great a feel of what the bike is doing as well as a regular setup. It worked great on my R1200R though.
Please talk about fork oil next episode and how to change, then how much fork oil should go in. Then how to know if you plavrd the right amount. Thanks and more power to you, Ari and MC Garage!
How much (and what weight) oil to use depends on the specific model. Best to refer to a workshop manual for your particular bike.
My Honda CBR 250R, when not holding both the handlebars starts to lean towards the right side. The tires are new, rightly inflated. Recently checked the alignment too.
Thank you.
Welcome back!
Great video
can you make a video about changing rings? or raplace drums for discs????
Great videos
Hey love your videos! I have a sportster XL1200… got a weird wobble in the front after high speed driving and may have hit pothole. I replaced steering bearings, front fork seals and fork oil. Wheel bearings and even the rim… still have a strange off wobble when turning mainly. Same before I changed and serviced everything… could this be the rear issue?? As far as I can tell it’s aligned… going nuts !! Thank you!
Keep 'em coming....but don't forget to tend to the magazines!