GS500 steering geometry

[jawntybull]

I had a go on a mate's bike yesterday - a Honda VFR750. It's classed as a sports tourer I think. Anyway, I came to my first corner and oops! Went really wide. I found myself fighting the steering in each bend; when I tipped the bike in to the same degree as I do with my GS it just wanted to keep falling into the corner. In effect, it seemed to need much less lean, but somehow I couldn't get comfortable with it. Eventually I found that if I leant my body into the corner rather than the bike, it felt better.

I got back on the GS after about half an hour and, like a well worn glove, felt much better. Now I know that part of this is what I'm used to, but has anyone else got some insight into this situation? Is it just that I'm used to the GS, or is it more that the GS is a much easier / more natural bike to ride? When I checked out the steering geometry of the VFR, it's much steeper than the GS - so would all sports bikes handle like this, and if so, it seems to me that they would be a real pain in the city compared to the GS?

[ohgood]

mmm, ya. flickable is what people like to say. see those harley guys ? they add gobs of chrome to try and balance their bikes (not happening).

the crotch rocket types add power commanders, pipes, etc trying to go faster.

the BMW guys like to talk about how much money they have.

and the lowly gs just wants to leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeean.

[bobthebiker]

The VFR is just a different design of bike honestly.   my CBR is the same way.  I find it very nimble in a curve, although   the steering geometry on the CBR is much like the GS, a gentle setup as opposed to the wild aggressive rake that you encounter on brand new 600's.

if you had to fight the bike to get it to lean, I'd have to suggest checking the tire pressures. I find bikes with tire pressure being off tend to dislike leaning/general steering.

[the mole]

+1 bobthebiker, it sounds to me like the tyre pressures need checking on the VFR.

[The Buddha]

A VFR is calssified as an oceanliner ... luxury ocean liner.
Cool.
Buddha.

[jawntybull]

It seems to me I have found out why the GS is often described as a fun ride - particularly by people who go to another bigger bike for a while and end up missing their old GS. My GS loves to be thrown left and right in the bends, and to me seems really predictable. Perhaps its why its described as a good beginner's bike. Anyway its plenty of fun for me!

So, perhaps the next question is - has anyone found other bikes that handle like the GS, particularly a bigger bike for two-up touring with all the gear? I was thinking of the viffer as a second bike for this, but I'm not so sure now...

[yamahonkawazuki]

mmm, ya. flickable is what people like to say. see those harley guys ? they add gobs of chrome to try and balance their bikes (not happening).

the crotch rocket types add power commanders, pipes, etc trying to go faster.

the BMW guys like to talk about how much money they have.

and the lowly gs just wants to leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeean.

lol