Motard wiggle

[Tricky Mike]

So, my KTM was doing quite a bit of dancing yesterday... not quite sure what's going on... Maybe it's just a happy dance.

If I get a good drive out of 12 and some decent speed (for a motard) on the straight, the bike starts to wag back and forth quite a bit as it tops out by the 4 board.

First thought is holding the bars too tight, but that's not it... I was rocking the one-handed flat track stylie with just my right thumb ad index finger (lightly) holding the throttle open.

Head bearings are adjusted properly, wheels are straight, bike has a Scotts steering damper... turned that up a bit, bike still just wants to dance when it sees the boards.

Felt like a slow-mo tank slapper. Definitely an oscillation. Nothing major at all, settles itself out when I slow for 1... just didn't really do that last year. Everywhere else is good. Little shake over the hill, same as last year.

You tard guys have similar shakes?

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Seems the new Brakes are the only Variable, I am having Nothing like you describe

[a13x]

Seems the new Brakes are the only Variable, I am having Nothing like you describe

I also am having nothing like you describe.

[clutch]

I had the same kind of problem with my SM. Tweaking the steering damper took it out for me.

Now its smooth and straight.

[Paul_E_D]

That happens on bikes with too little trail. Have you swapped out your triples yet?

[seth399]

I'm pretty sure I am not experiencing this either but I was behind the kid on a kx450f for several laps and his bike was wagging back n forth like crazy, same as you describe

[Tricky Mike]

That happens on bikes with too little trail. Have you swapped out your triples yet?

Yeah, Tri-star 8mm joints.


I rode Mike Green's CR500 for a session and that actually did it as well, so the possibility (always) exists that I'm inducing it somehow...

[seth399]

Yeah, Tri-star 8mm joints.


I rode Mike Green's CR500 for a session and that actually did it as well, so the possibility (always) exists that I'm inducing it somehow...

did you have swamp sack? maybe they were both hanging to the right or left?

[Tricky Mike]

two laps on that 500 guarantees swamp sack... and blurred vision, and loose fillings... and a HUGE grin.

[ThisBitch]

did you have swamp sack? maybe they were both hanging to the right or left?

I was thinking he was doing the Lean wit it, Rock wit it.

[seth399]

two laps on that 500 guarantees swamp sack... and blurred vision, and loose fillings... and a HUGE grin.

that thing must be so sick...but on topic, this is an interesting issue because I saw that other bike doing it too and it seemed real weird to me

[Paul_E_D]

Motards are weird.

[KB]

I had this happen 2 seasons ago. It was actually the rear tire. How's the tires?

Paul I say Motards are good. Real bikes are weird. I can't get used to that damn SV. I ran faster lap times on the tard.

Mike I heisted some TrickMikeJoint stickers from union. Next time you're at the track drop by with some!!!

KB

[Tricky Mike]

Good point. Tires are about at the end of their rope for sure. So that's a good place to start even if that may not be the problem. They need replacing anyway.

[Pittenger5]

My front end gets mad light on the straight, maybe cause I weigh 83 pounds. If I tuck in as best I can the front end plants pretty well. Maybe try tucking a bit?

[KB]

Tucking? You mean like a tranny?

KB

[Tricky Mike]

Someone say "tucking?" DB are you a pre-op?

[seth399]

ahahahahahaa

[Pittenger5]

Tucking? You mean like a tranny?

I have nothing to tuck

Someone say "tucking?" DB are you a pre-op?

I have nothing to tuck

ahahahahahaa

I have nothing to tuck

[Pittenger5]

Seriously, for once I try to bring a serious response and the talk STILL turns to my penis. How does this always happen?

[GixerJockey]

I noticed alot of the 'tards doing the same thing. Down the strait, some oscilation in the bars... For what it's worth. Every DR-Z400SM that I test ride does it over 75mph...

[rg500]

I have been thinking about this since yesterday. It is interesting to me that I don't really have a problem with wobbling on my cr, and you do. I don't know if this is just that I have learned to ignore it, or maybe the difference in weight. I know that when I come out of twelve I slide back in the seat to put more weight on the rear end. I had a damper on my drz,which I haven't ridden at the track in forever, and it wobbled a lot, but I have never felt the need for one on my other bikes. We go about the same speed so I would expect us to have similar a experience on the same bike.

In any case it was a great day, can't wait to do it again. Glad you liked the cr. you can ride it anytime.

[hammadown]

this is interesting mike. I dont have it on mine with 14mm offset and topped out in 6 just past the start finish (so im full bore for a little bit). Im not really sure what you could be doing since you barely have cntact with the bars (could this be the prob?? ) Although I do both hands as well as the full tuck one hand behind back. I would check tires and brakes since those seem to be variables as others have said. Does it happen anywhere else that it didn't before?

[Awesome]

I get the wiggle sometimes. I'm guessing it could be from holding too tight sometimes or popping up before braking and having that wind make the front even lighter. I have no damper.

[a13x]

How far back on the seat do you get? I notice lots of motard guys sit way too upright on the straights and stuff. Your body is a big fat sail.

Compare this to my competition...



Sorry I can't find the fullsize pic but Jeff Wood (hey that's my RMZ!!) tucks the same way on his motard. Eyes just peeking over the triple clamps. See tiny pic.