My 2001 was having trouble with slow speed turns.  Felt really weird like it was resisting turning.  Then all of a sudden it would give and fall into the turn and I had to correct or eat pavement.  That's a new kind of exciting for me, but i like the normal kind of motorcycling excitment better.

I put the bike up on the center stand and rocked it back onto the rear wheel and checked for binding cables or a dragging handlebar lock...no such luck, it had full range of motion and good clearance.  None of the cables were in a bind.  The front end wasn't loose as it would be for worn out bearings, but when you turn the handlebars slowly or let them sit in one place for a few seconds, the stearing head bearing sticks.  And it sticks pretty good.

The bike only has 6000 miles and is a 2001.  I bought it a year ago with 350 miles on it.  It's only been to the dealer once to be sold to me.  Did the factory crank down the head bolt too much and ruin my bearing?

Oh well...it's supposed to rain all weekend, i'll tear it down and inspect everything inside the head.  It will be a good time to replace the fork oil with 15w anyway.

Yes someone over tightened it... might not have ruined it but certainly caused the tight feeling you describe... is it bad enough to kill the bearing... I dunno, depends on how tight. But set it right, and try it before taking it apart. Removing and re seating will probably kill it even if it was OK to begin with.
Cool.
Srinath.

ok...i'll give that a whirl when i get home from work...thanks.

remove
inspect for wear spots or dimples
grease the crap out of them
reinstall them
adjust them correctly
the factory doesn't really like to add much grease to the bikes.....
look at the latest issue of road racing world...there is an article on this subject.....with pics!!!!

bah...i loosened the head bolt and retorqued it...better..but still a bit notchy.  Disassembled the front end and the top bearing looked good, but the bottom bearing and race was rusted to hell.  Disgusting.  This is after three years and 6000 miles, garaged.  I can't even figure out how water got in there.  The first owner (2001-2003, 350 miles) must have kept the bike submerged for storage.

Just for good measure I banged out both bearings and called about replacements.  Suzuki dealer wants $80 for both of them  :guns:

I'll wait till the industrial bearing supply places open on monday and probably pick them both up for about $10.  700% markup for suzuki?  unbelievable.

MIne have lasted 15 years and 43K miles... However ~6-7 years ago this friend of mine pulled them off and packed them... and hell did it make a huge difference, He used water proof boat trailer wheel bearing synthetic grease.
Cool.
Srinath.

Yeah sometimes the guys at the factory skimp on grease while assembling the front end, too much sake at lunch perhaps.

Repacking the bearings and tightening them down to spec should do the trick.