Steering-pulls to right

[Leprechaun]

I hope this is the right place,if not,feel free to move it. Recently I've noticed while riding my right arm is

tense, my left arm isn't. It's hard to explain,but the result is that I don't feel relaxed while riding. This is

noticable when turning right, either leaning into curves, or turning the bars. The tyres aren't too worn,the air pressure is correct(the effect is the same whatever the pressure). When turning I have to

push the right bar(yes I know this is countersteering) because it seems to want to keep turning in.

When turning left,there is no problem at all. So, is it the suspension, the tyres(Metzeler) or somethig else?

Thanks

 

[mcatrophy]

I hope this is the right place,if not,feel free to move it. Recently I've noticed while riding my right arm istense, my left arm isn't. It's hard to explain,but the result is that I don't feel relaxed while riding. This is

noticable when turning right, either leaning into curves, or turning the bars. The tyres aren't too worn,the air pressure is correct(the effect is the same whatever the pressure). When turning I have to

push the right bar(yes I know this is countersteering) because it seems to want to keep turning in.

When turning left,there is no problem at all. So, is it the suspension, the tyres(Metzeler) or somethig else?

Thanks:no2:

Front tyre. Replace the Metzler with one of the Forum favourites. Look at the Tyre poll.

 

[Leprechaun]

It could well be the front;would that explain why the effect is only when turning right?

 

[mcatrophy]

It could well be the front;would that explain why the effect is only when turning right?

Only other possibility is that there is something wrong with the wheel alignment, which on an FJR can only really mean accident damage.

 

[Snudge]

Mine came fitted with Metzler's and at around 7500 miles, still with plenty of tread left on them, the increase in physical effort required to steer the bike was tiring and spoiling a decent ride.

Changed the Metzlers for Michelin MP4s and totally transformed the bike.

The front MP4 was scrubbed out on the right hand side, with plenty of tread remaining on the left hand side, by 7500miles, so fitted an MP3 to the front which has now reached 5000 miles and seems to be wearing evenly.

I am seeing around 9000 miles out of the rear MP4.

 

[rickysnickers]

Mine is doing that, but to the left. In my case, I have a leaky fork seal that needs to be fixed. You might check that too.

 

[infrared]

It could well be the front;would that explain why the effect is only when turning right?

Leprechaun,

Ride across wet pavement, onto dry pavement, in a very straight line. Go back and look at your tire prints. If the front and rear tires are not in exactly the same track, chances are the fork tubes are not aligned correctly in the triple clamp. If the wheels are tracking true now, then you may just have a tire problem.

I did not like the Metzlers I got on my old FJ, although they still had fairly good tread left on them. Working against my stingy nature, I got new tires. They made it a whole new bike for me. I'd suggest doing that for yourself, first. For me at least, five years is a long time, to be running a bike tire. Check the real age of your tires by the codes printed on the tire sidewalls. In the USA, we have this system:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11

If your wheels are not in alignment, depending on your expertise, you (or your support team) can slightly loosen the front axle pinch bolts, the axle nut, and the triple clamp bolts. Hold the front wheel firmly, and try to turn the handlebars to each side by a few degrees. With the bike held vertically, sight along the rear wheel sides to the front wheel, and sight along the front wheel sides to the rear wheel. When you have both wheels straight, and the handlebars are aligned with the front wheel, tighten (torque-wrench) everything back to specs. Make sure that the fork tubes are where they belong in the triple clamp (in vertical height), not with one tube higher than the other. No spare parts are needed here, only the tools, to align the wheels.

Check back here, with any results you may find.

Cheers,

Infrared

 

[Mihalis fjr]

Have you ever done a lubrication in the steering bearings?Have you ever check for the right torque?

Also,this problem started in one day,or you noticed that started slowly..?

 

[ionbeam]

With the front wheel in the air try moving the wheel from full left stop to full right stop to be sure it moves freely and with no rough spots.

Silly but worth the thought, check to be sure that wires, cables, hoses, etc are not pulled so tight going to the front end that it affect the steering.

 

[Leprechaun]

Thanks for all the replies.

I can turn the wheel from lock to lock without any blockage or rough spots. The cables don't interfere in any way.

The wear pattern is the same all round and I don't see any leaks from the fork seals. This effect came to my notice over a

period of time(now that I'n thinking about it),so it's very likely the Metzelers.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

Mine was doing something similar. Even when evenly loaded, bars weren't exactly straight when going straight down the road. It was the front tire. Replacing the OEM tires made a bike that felt imbalanced and required far too much pressure on the bars in a turn into a dream to ride. Removed all issues. About 8k on the new set and things are still great.

 

[BobbyBlue]

I had a similiar issue with Ziggy at one point....it turned out to be Ionbeams suggestion.....i had pinched the cables on one side when reinstalling the nose...didnt even notice it at first but after a couple hundred miles i was sure something was amiss and sure enough i had bound up some cableing...pretty sure yours is tires though after reading through again....good luck.

BobbyBlue