Running wide on turns

[zenn]

Little background first. I been riding a Honda Rebel 450 little less than a yr. Recently sold it for the GS500.
On the Honda I had an easier time taking turns, going round corners, sweeps and such in the road, I could hold a line no prob. Now with the Zuki I'm having to work it more. Taking left turns I'm winding up in the outside lane. Feel like I have to fight the bike on some curves. I was doing parking lot UTurns in 2 spots with the Honda, now can barley hit it in 3. I thought on a sport/standard the steering would be more accurate.

[erbilabuc]

look at your back tire while making that same u turn and see if you cant do it in 1.5 parking spaces. I really think you arent looking through the turn. I can make a u turn on a small inner city 2 way street no problem.

[Rema1000]

I ride a lighter 150cc scoot and the GS.  One difference I notice is that I can turn the lighter bike easier just by leaning body weight (not setting up a turn with a concious handlebar push).  If I've been riding the lighter bike, when I get on the GS and try to start turns by leaning, nothing much happens.   I have to remember to set up the turn with a push.

[mach1]

  I have the same problem but the other way around. I can take tighter turns with the GS at slwer speeds by just using my counter weight and faster speeds by leaning off a lil and shifting my weight. but with a 150 or 250 the bike has no weight and its too flimsy when going slow the bike will want to fall and going fast it feels unstable.

[qwertydude]

I had a rebel 250 before. The wider handlebars on cruisers give you more leverage to countersteer. The GS can lean FAR more than the rebel could, you just have to push harder and lean more. Steering effort is even more if you use clip-ons, shorter lever. I've had my gs500f so far over the mirror was looked to be jest about a foot off the ground it was a pretty sharp turn, I know I would've scraped pegs on the rebel doing that.

[ABSOLUTNATI]

Be appreciative you didn't get a Katana like me. I just sold my GS500 and switched to the Katana the in the past month. The GS500 feels like BUTTER! Find a better riding position that gives you the quickest turning ability. I think you just have to adjust your geometry. I found a sweet spot on both bikes that give me that "quick" and sharp edge. I still find myself fighting the bike's front end, but I am suspecting I need new tires.

[bucks1605]

Be appreciative you didn't get a Katana like me. I just sold my GS500 and switched to the Katana the in the past month. The GS500 feels like BUTTER! Find a better riding position that gives you the quickest turning ability. I think you just have to adjust your geometry. I found a sweet spot on both bikes that give me that "quick" and sharp edge. I still find myself fighting the bike's front end, but I am suspecting I need new tires.

Well, well...look what the cat drug in. 

[ABSOLUTNATI]

LOL. I should have known you'd be on now since you have all that free time and no bike! That reminds me, I need to cahnge my avatar!

[bucks1605]

LOL. I should have known you'd be on now since you have all that free time and no bike! That reminds me, I need to cahnge my avatar!

aahhh, you know how to cut me down... touché 

[dgyver]

Little background first. I been riding a Honda Rebel 450 little less than a yr. Recently sold it for the GS500.
On the Honda I had an easier time taking turns, going round corners, sweeps and such in the road, I could hold a line no prob. Now with the Zuki I'm having to work it more. Taking left turns I'm winding up in the outside lane. Feel like I have to fight the bike on some curves. I was doing parking lot UTurns in 2 spots with the Honda, now can barley hit it in 3. I thought on a sport/standard the steering would be more accurate.

How much do you weigh?

Running wide exiting a turn is typical of the rear end riding low. The GS is way undersprung.

[guitarking135]

just lean more in your turns. he gs like any sports bike can lean a crazy amount where as cruisers aren't just get more comfortable with riding and and you'll be fine.

[ohgood]

Little background first. I been riding a Honda Rebel 450 little less than a yr. Recently sold it for the GS500.
On the Honda I had an easier time taking turns, going round corners, sweeps and such in the road, I could hold a line no prob. Now with the Zuki I'm having to work it more. Taking left turns I'm winding up in the outside lane. Feel like I have to fight the bike on some curves. I was doing parking lot UTurns in 2 spots with the Honda, now can barley hit it in 3. I thought on a sport/standard the steering would be more accurate.

How much do you weigh?

Running wide exiting a turn is typical of the rear end riding low. The GS is way undersprung.

that, and a possibly low rear tire

see captcrashidaho's videos on youtube about slow  speed stuff... i'll link later

[zenn]

weight: 225
Checked tire pressure this morning, rear 35 - front 40 on Bridgestone battleaxe.
Ive watched all the captcrashidaho's videos. Love em.

[Affschnozel]

Front 40 psi is too much, makes it nervous ,mine BT is at 33-34 max as prescribed the rear at 36 

[Teek]

When I swapped out my Battlaxs for Metzelers I got a much faster turn in and better all around handling response due to the rounder, skinnier profile. When I get my forks a 1/2 inch lower it will turn even quicker (I have Sonic .85s in there so it can go another 1/2 inch to get back to stock geometry from adding a Katana rear shock swap and lowering the bike 2").

[scratch]

What Dgyver stated and I'll add handlebar pressure.  On the GS you're leaning forward, with your upper body wieght on the bars, to alieviate this you will need to grip the tank with your knees, and flex your tummy (tighten) to support your torso.  If you can't flap your elbows like a chicken, you're leaning to much on the bars.  Also, leaning forward (without adding pressure to the bars) will put more weight over the front, and less on the rear.

[zenn]

I dropped the pressure front and rear to 30.
Lots more betterer today
Dont know if it was the tire pressure or that I'm getting more used to the bike, and the rider imputs it requires. But I did about 60miles this morning, and I felt more in control than before.

[ABSOLUTNATI]

30?? Isn't that hella low!!??  Dude, a difference in 2 PSI can have a drastic change in the performance. Make sure you're at spec.

[gobstopper]

or that I'm getting more used to the bike, and the rider imputs it requires.

That's the winner right there.

The first time I rode my bicycle after having started riding motorcycles, I threw myself into a bush on the inside of the first turn.

[zenn]

The first time I rode my bicycle after having started riding motorcycles, I threw myself into a bush on the inside of the first turn.

got a youtube link for that