Tire Question

[kidproquo]

Hi everyone,

Got a qsn regd tires...dunno if it really is a problem..just thought I wud ask.

I have a 2001 GS with stock tires. They don't look very used - treads are pretty okay. But, while riding on not so smooth roads - I can feel the bike "drifting" - especially on those longitudinal "grooves" that one finds on many roads - hope I am making sense here. Can't exactly describe it in words. I can feel the bike trying to force itself out from the direction I want it to go when I go over those grooves. Is this normal? Or is this a phenomenon of the stock tires?

-Kid

[werase643]

STOCK TIRES SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
turds wrapped around the rims would be better than stock tires
check the tire selection threads....

[Kerry]

The stock tires ARE substandard, but the "weirdness" you describe can't ALL be attributed to the Exedras.  I think you will feel some of that drifting sensation on ANY tire, although radials may give you a more secure feeling than bias-ply.

Anyway, I know what you're talking about.  Been there, done that!  But I bet you will experience some improvement on those rough surfaces with your first set of aftermarket tires.

[dgyver]

....turds wrapped around the rims would be better than stock tires....

Are you speaking from experience?

[Kerry]

BTW, this is one of many road surface topics discussed in David L. Hough's Proficient Motorcycling.

Excellent book - I've read it twice and I just got the "sequel".

PS - I should have asked before:  Have you checked the air pressure in your tires?  If they're low (the front, especially) you can get that drifting feeling on a smooth road, especially in turns.

[werase643]

:mrgreen:

[kidproquo]

Yes, Kerry..I chk tire pressures everyday - right before riding. Front - 34, Rear - 38.

-Kid

[JamesG]

parallel grooved roads will make a bike try to follow the grooves.

Its only dangerous if it causes head shake, the bars wobbling back and forth, upsetting the rest of the bike.