New Glee handling issues - Now resolved

[Brockett]

Look I know I'm not supposed to but .. At say 40mph if I ease my hands off the bars the bike tries to fall to the right. It does this on flattish roads and various cambers. Also the bars shake as if needing a steering damper.
It behaves the same with and without the top box.
I have a Givi Airflow screen fitted which I have tried at it's lowest setting and again the bike behaves the same.
I have list of things to check like fork leg / top yoke height, tyre pressures, wheel alignments etc. which all look OK at present but has anyone else has issues like this? If so what was the cause?

Also is there a weight chart for suspension pre load settings?
I am 16 stone and my first ride at night shows the headlight to be a bit on the high side.
Would overly soft suspension cause the handlebar wobble and flop to the right?

Where to start ..
Wheels are in line and forks are level in adjusters and top yoke.
It seems that whilst riding I have been sitting to the right a little. Probably due to always putting my right foot down when stopping and then not sitting back square when starting off. Also the front tyre was a little underinflated at 24 psi ( should be 32 ish). I pumped up the tyres and now concentrate on sitting square and "Hello presto"  problem gone and the bike is fine. First service today including minor adjustment to headlight main beam and clutch free play. The book says I can now rev it to 7500 but I am not sure this is really necessary for full run in. Very pleased with the bike so far and looking forward to the trip to the gathering in Wales.

[greywolf]

Wobble can be caused by tyres, tyre wear, loose steering head bearings, rear tyre not pointed straight ahead and front fork tubes not parallel. Movement off center can be caused by those, the road surface not being level and the load on the bike not being centered. In a perfect world, a bike under warranty can be taken back and corrected by the dealer. In the real world, most dealers are unwilling or unable to handle the task.

See viewtopic.php?f=58&t=18920 on preload.

[Jacko]

How worn is your front tyre? Every time I've had this problem it's been down to a worn/cheap tyre. I used to get it on my GSXF, it had a Maxxis M6029 on the front. I changed to a Pirelli and the shaking disappeared, it wasn't even worn, just shit.

[Brockett]

It is a week old bike with 575 miles on the clock.

[Oop North John]

Why do you want to take your hands off the handlebars at 40mph?

Going to the right might be something as simple as the cables, electrical / clutch or front brake pipe is helping that way, or possibly the front forks aren't settled correctly on the axle. Loosen the pinch bolt, bounce up and down a couple of times of the front forks and retighten the pinch bolt (there should be a gap between the spacer and the left-hand fork).

I'd try jacking up the rear preload somewhat as well, try it at max and see if there's any difference.

[frez]

It is due its first service, take it to the dealers for the service and explain that it has a handling issue.

[kissofdeath]

 what he said

[Jacko]

Why do you want to take your hands off the handlebars at 40mph?

To check for any strange handling anomalies? I do it often, it's a good indicator of things that may worsen over time or under load etc. You don't want to find out for the first time via a massive tankslapper with your missus on the back. Just holding the grips lightly can steady an otherwise unstable front. As I've said though, any problems have always been traced to the front tyre.

[Firestorm]

Almost every Bike I've had in the last 30 years or so has done this at some point. As stated, its usually front tyre related and although I'd get everything checked at service for peace of mind I wouldn't worry about it personally

[Jacko]

Nah, don't worry. I did a 1500 mile tour of The Highlands with a front tyre that did this when I let go of the bars, it didn't impact on the trip or normal hands-on riding.

[doboy]

my glee handled great till I put a set of tourance next on and not only is my handling gone to pot but it also shakes the bars ....

[greywolf]

Tourances and the Conti Attack series are famous for shaking bars.

[Juvecu]

+1 to that, have read so many threads where they are the cause of some handling issue that I've never even considered them as a tyre on the Wee (and I usually investigate all my options.)

[Strommer]

I've never been able to take my hands off the bars...

[mr_diver]

I take my hands off the bars with k60 scout tyres with no issues now I've changed the wheel bearings. And they are knobbly buggers