Not sure about my front end

[Lonerider62]

I got my bike out to Lake Havasu a couple days ago after 2500 miles on the trailer. I never got to ride the thing after I finished the engine stuff but after getting about 50 miles on the ODO on the local roads around here I'm pretty unhappy with the feel of the front end. I will say that I'm not running any pressure in the tubes but boy it just doesn't feel right, wanting to fall into corners and just feels sloppy to me although there isn't any area that has any actual slack or movement like it isn't tight. It feels like it wants to wander on uneven surfaces and there are plenty around here. The pressure on both tires is fine so that's not the problem. Maybe it's just my comparison of the bike to my FZ1, but it definitely doesn't have the stability of the FZ1 or even my old Goldwing. I was wondering if puting about 20 lbs of air in the front would help stiffin things up. Any input from guys who own both an XS and a good sport bike they can relate my issue to?

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Fz1?

Compaired to your FZ1, not gonna happen I wouldn't put 20psi in the forks unless the seals are new / good. Here is a thread that might help
http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35001

I got my bike out to Lake Havasu a couple days ago after 2500 miles on the trailer. I never got to ride the thing after I finished the engine stuff but after getting about 50 miles on the ODO on the local roads around here I'm pretty unhappy with the feel of the front end. I will say that I'm not running any pressure in the tubes but boy it just doesn't feel right, wanting to fall into corners and just feels sloppy to me although there isn't any area that has any actual slack or movement like it isn't tight. It feels like it wants to wander on uneven surfaces and there are plenty around here. The pressure on both tires is fine so that's not the problem. Maybe it's just my comparison of the bike to my FZ1, but it definitely doesn't have the stability of the FZ1 or even my old Goldwing. I was wondering if puting about 20 lbs of air in the front would help stiffin things up. Any input from guys who own both an XS and a good sport bike they can relate my issue to?

[LuckyEddie]

front end

Lonerider62,

I would take a look at the steering head bearings. I have replaced them in my XS1100LG and one of my Goldwings (76), it made all the difference in the world. In both cases I used the tapered roller bearing replacements.

[mack]

rebuild

What did you do to the front end on your rebuild. Did you check your triple tree bearings and races? Have someone sit on the bike on the center stand and see what kind of play you have. Two nuts at the top may need to be tightened. Did you check your spring lengths and add spacer if required. 20Lbs is way too much. 12 should be all thats required under most riding conditions.

[jetmechmarty]

I'm ashamed to say it, but what kind of steering bearings are on the Specials? My XS650 had the loose balls. The steering had detents in it.

[crazy steve]

I'm ashamed to say it, but what kind of steering bearings are on the Specials? My XS650 had the loose balls. The steering had detents in it.

All the XS11s have tapered roller bearings at the suspension points....

[trdriver71]

If it is wandering around on uneven surfaces it may be the rear swingarm bearings need adjustment.

[ddragon63]

I got my bike out to Lake Havasu a couple days ago after 2500 miles on the trailer. I never got to ride the thing after I finished the engine stuff but after getting about 50 miles on the ODO on the local roads around here I'm pretty unhappy with the feel of the front end. I will say that I'm not running any pressure in the tubes but boy it just doesn't feel right, wanting to fall into corners and just feels sloppy to me although there isn't any area that has any actual slack or movement like it isn't tight. It feels like it wants to wander on uneven surfaces and there are plenty around here. The pressure on both tires is fine so that's not the problem. Maybe it's just my comparison of the bike to my FZ1, but it definitely doesn't have the stability of the FZ1 or even my old Goldwing. I was wondering if puting about 20 lbs of air in the front would help stiffin things up. Any input from guys who own both an XS and a good sport bike they can relate my issue to?

I've owned many a sport bikes and have an xs11. currently
I own an r1 to go with my Xs.... first off your XS will never, I repeat never handle like your fz.

Its an interesting day when I ride all day with my buddies on my R1 then get home and hop on the xs to take the wife for a ride. But they do handle pretty well once your suspension has been looked over and like previous posts check out all your bearings.

The biggest difference in handling between my 2 bikes is the R1 you have to move weight around and lean into. The XS is more of a point and shoot. Course mine is a 'dresser' so your experience may vary. The weight distribution on a sport bike is way down low to keep you glued to the road. an xs is alot heavier in all different areas. once you learn your approach, and exit angles on the xs you'll get it. Basically more weight means less effort on you to get it into the corner and a little more effort out of the corner. once again this is my experience only. I'm far from an expert on the subject.

I carry 20 lbs in my forks but I also have full fairing and carry passengers.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Limited

My very "limited" experance go's with Dragon's. My FZR loved the corrners and wanted me to get my knee down to the road and my ass as close to the roar as possable. The bike its self wanted tho GO and stand up without me pulling it down. A good combo as I could gauge just how much ass I need to sling to keep it cornering just like I liked it My V Max was kinda between the two, sling you ass and give it the gas to make it do what you want it to The XS is all about the bike, kinda heavy, weak suspension (by todays standards) and a geometry that was never ment to "drift" in the corners (although, I have done that) The bike wants / needs to be in controll, the throtle, the break have a whole lot more to do with how it corners then where you ass is, and that is what I love about it

I've owned many a sport bikes and have an xs11. currently
I own an r1 to go with my Xs.... first off your XS will never, I repeat never handle like your fz.

Its an interesting day when I ride all day with my buddies on my R1 then get home and hop on the xs to take the wife for a ride. But they do handle pretty well once your suspension has been looked over and like previous posts check out all your bearings.

The biggest difference in handling between my 2 bikes is the R1 you have to move weight around and lean into. The XS is more of a point and shoot. Course mine is a 'dresser' so your experience may vary. The weight distribution on a sport bike is way down low to keep you glued to the road. an xs is alot heavier in all different areas. once you learn your approach, and exit angles on the xs you'll get it. Basically more weight means less effort on you to get it into the corner and a little more effort out of the corner. once again this is my experience only. I'm far from an expert on the subject.

I carry 20 lbs in my forks but I also have full fairing and carry passengers.

[ddragon63]

My very "limited" experance go's with Dragon's. My FZR loved the corrners and wanted me to get my knee down to the road and my ass as close to the roar as possable. The bike its self wanted tho GO and stand up without me pulling it down. A good combo as I could gauge just how much ass I need to sling to keep it cornering just like I liked it My V Max was kinda between the two, sling you ass and give it the gas to make it do what you want it to The XS is all about the bike, kinda heavy, weak suspension (by todays standards) and a geometry that was never ment to "drift" in the corners (although, I have done that) The bike wants / needs to be in controll, the throtle, the break have a whole lot more to do with how it corners then where you ass is, and that is what I love about it

All in all thou... I love riding "old man" thru town more than any sport bike I've owned. Once i figured out how to work the bars and let the weight of the bike do the work i can move that beast around better than any sport bike I've owned @ low speed...

I will admit its is a whole new learning curve to ride a bike with long forks (well compared to a sport bike) and alot of turning radius. it felt like I was gonna drop the damn thing every time i took a low speed corner. its all about let the weight take her over and use the gas to bring her back up.

its kinda fun blasting the stereo...sitting high in the saddle with my feet on the freeway pegs leaning way over thru the corners tearing up the moutain

Seat time my friend is all you need.... but PLEASE check your bearings and keep her between the ditches

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Best way I ever heard it put Dragon"its all about let the weight to take her over and use the gas to bring her back up" We don't push these bikes, they push us Once you get good at the gas pushing it up and the brake / leanng shifting it down, this thing will do what ever you ask (if running right). I am older now and "kids don't try this at home" but in the day, I would go into a freeway ramp at 60mph and "because" of the shaft drop, I could "drift" the back tire at full throltle and steer the front tire into the slide and come out at 100mph+. Yes, even with all the OEM front end and no fork brace

[ddragon63]

Best way I ever heard it put Dragon"its all about let the weight to take her over and use the gas to bring her back up" We don't push these bikes, they push us Once you get good at the gas pushing it up and the brake / leanng shifting it down, this thing will do what ever you ask (if running right). I am older now and "kids don't try this at home" but in the day, I would go into a freeway ramp at 60mph and "because" of the shaft drop, I could "drift" the back tire at full throltle and steer the front tire into the slide and come out at 100mph+. Yes, even with all the OEM front end and no fork brace

I remember being on the back of this one as a kid and my dad dragging the foot pegs... that guy could ride this thing. I just poke around on it.... never in a hurry, its all about the ride.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Cool

Thats cool, I could ride once also Not telling anyone to try it, Old Skool and I are friends (at least I hope we are) I never did it where I was in traffic or harms way to others, but, damm, I never felt more alive then when my back tire was spinning, my foot pegs were sparking, my right knee was almost on the ground and my ass was right behind it. Many talk about it, few have done it, and I can't even imagine what it was like on the back

I remember being on the back of this one as a kid and my dad dragging the foot pegs... that guy could ride this thing. I just poke around on it.... never in a hurry, its all about the ride.

[Lonerider62]

Well, I didn't check the rear for tightness but when I was checking the hub nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I checked the front for any wheel slop and it seemed perfect but the PO did say new seals were put in the tubes and it could be that they aren't torqued properly and may be twisting in the clamps a bit. Whetever it is, counter steering plain dosn't work and as a matter of fact, it wants to steer just the opposite, instead of using counter steer it wants the bars turned in the direction I want to turn, and that isn't what I'm used to at all. I'm going to check all the clamps on the front end then add some air, and see if it feels any better. Either I'm going to get used to it or it'll be a short sale. It's a shame because the bike is in great shape for a 31 year old ride.

[bikerphil]

Don't know if it's been mentioned already but if you haven't changed the fork oil that may very well help. Dirty/low level will make the bike handle like crap. Also recommend using either 15 or 20W instead of the 10.