[czrlaker]

Went on a 273 mile ride yesterday, various speeds lots of twisties. 60 mile stretch of the ride was on an interstate with the average speed between 75 and 80 mph. I didn't feel very confident at those speeds. I could feel the bikes handlebars slightly s-l-i-g-h-t-l-y shift back and forth left to right nothing crazy, not a tank slapper but I could feel it. But it did get me thinking of a tank slapper, I also recall at lower speeds 55-70 removing my hand off one of the handle bars for to scratch my face or to give another rider the wave, I could slightly feel the handlebar input. Is this normal? I am seriously considering a steering damper. Just gotta find one for this bike.

 

[Shamsul Kamal]

Not normal, i rode 85-100 mile/hr for long period of time. No problem.

 

[czrlaker]

That kind of puts me in a pickle. I would like for another z650 to ride my motorcycle to see if it feels normal. To put my mind at ease. Or maybe test drive another Z650 at a dealer to try out the feel of a different Z650. Maybe I should jist take ot into the dealer and explain my situation.

 

[czrlaker]

Just putting it out there. I emailed KTech GPR and Ohlins regarding steering dampers/stabilizers the only company that is working on it (or even interested for that matter) is KTech, the other two companies didn't sound interested at all even when I explained that there was a possibility of it fitting both the the Z and the Ninja.

 

[Tremonte]

What you are describing is from too tight of a grip and arm stiffness. You should be able to remove both hands from the bars and with basic hip balance, steer the bike. At any highway speed, the bike will track on it's balance point. Fork cartridges are for dampening uneveness in the road surface, not left to right movement. Those will only affect steering during aggressive cornering / countersteering to prevent "plowing" or the sensation of being too soft with not enough rebound. Use your legs to grip the bike, and keep your hands and arms relaxed and loose.

Now, with that said... raise the front of the bike and check your wheel bearings. Any kind of shimmy while riding would be there, or in a slightly warped rotor.

 

[czrlaker]

Thanks I'll check it out. Still new so the grip thing might be a problem.