Feeling wobbly

[badiozam]

Hey guys, maybe someone can help me with this.

I've had my R6 since early July. I've put nearly 4,000 miles on it. Recently, on my previous two canyon rides I notice that I'm not feeling as good about the turns as I used to. I have to slow down too much before I feel like I can take the turn.

Like for example, last week when we went on a group ride, I was watching powerban take those turns on Sunrise so fast and he had an awesome lean angle. But I just couldn't keep up. I'd feel confident doing the first few turns with him, but then I'd do a turn where I felt like the bike was waaaay too far over. And the only reason I made it is that my motivation to keep the bike in that lean was that I'd rather slide underneath my bike than to fly off the side of the cliff or (worst?) splat into the side of the mountain.

Anyway, I would come out of the lean and my heart would be pounding.

I've only spilled the R6 once (and it was only @ 15mph when I was trying to do a stoppie). So I definitely don't want to come off again anytime soon especially at 70mph (which is what we're taking the 35mph turns at).

Could it be tire pressure? The bike needing to be balanced? Or something else with the bike?

Or is my noob azz needing to cowboy the fvck up and take the leans?

I guess my real question is: how do you know when you're close to hitting the limit of the bike's lean (without actually eating it to know that you've gone too far)?

[afrothunder]

knee slider will give you a good gauge of where you're at with the lean angles.

how long have you had your tires for?
have you been doing a lot of canyon riding?
maybe you're due for some new ones?
and yes, it could definitely be tire pressure - what do you run for the canyons?

[gixxerx8]

Have you had a suspension setup at Lees Cycle? This made for an incredible difference in how my bike handled but it did suffer on rougher roads or on the freeway where most bumps could be felt. Through the canyons though, it stayed true to the line that I created when making a turn...even without getting my fat ass off my seat. Other than that, I think you'll know when you're one with your bike.

[Cyanide41]

Alright since you have been only riding a few months, you shouldn't be trying to keep up with people who are much better riders than you. Now I am not saying you can't ride, I have never seen you so I have no clue. What I am saying is RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. If you feel uncomfortable then slow down a little bit. The more and more you ride the faster you will get. Like afrothunder said, tire pressure can make a huge difference. When was the last time you checked it? I also have found (and this is true for most people) I can lean to the left much better than I can the right. and it is 100% mental. Part of the problem could be when you lean far over to the point of getting scared, then you tense up and that causes the bike to not handle as well. There are alot of good riders on here who are willing to show you the ropes and answer the 100's of questions you may have. Find one of these guys and soak up all the knowlede they have to offer.

[cbrsmurf]

You should be checking your tire pressure before every hard ride.

At 4k miles, tuning your suspension isn't going to help that much yet.

You might want to get new, stickier tires. It will at least give you a psychological boost.

Like James said, ride your own ride.

In summary, all you really need to do is keep practicing (and checking your tire pressure) and you'll become more confident.

[badiozam]

Originally posted by afrothunder
knee slider will give you a good gauge of where you're at with the lean angles.

how long have you had your tires for?
have you been doing a lot of canyon riding?
maybe you're due for some new ones?
and yes, it could definitely be tire pressure - what do you run for the canyons?

I've had the tires for 4 months but I've been riding non-stop since then.

I would say on average every other weekend I do canyons. There's the Scripps Poway Parkway to Ramona to Santa Ysabel to Julian that I used to take and back before I joined hypercycles. And recently (last week, and the week before) I've been doing the Telegraph to Sunrise ride.

Well, I've spoken with a couple people and they say the tread on the tires is pretty good still. I don't do burn outs or anything crazy like that.

I'm at 36psi for both wheels though I haven't checked it in a while... (I just got that from the manual)

[badiozam]

Originally posted by Cyanide41
Alright since you have been only riding a few months, you shouldn't be trying to keep up with people who are much better riders than you.
Agreed! However, I aspire to be that. Those are my ambitionz as a ridah.

Now I am not saying you can't ride, I have never seen you so I have no clue. What I am saying is RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. If you feel uncomfortable then slow down a little bit.
2x agreed.

The more and more you ride the faster you will get.
If I keep it right where I'm at and keep practicing what I'm doing, will I advance further, or will I just perfect the level I'm at?

Like afrothunder said, tire pressure can make a huge difference. When was the last time you checked it? I also have found (and this is true for most people) I can lean to the left much better than I can the right and it is 100% mental.
Yeah I feel much more comfortable leaning to the left than to the right

Part of the problem could be when you lean far over to the point of getting scared, then you tense up and that causes the bike to not handle as well.
Ah yes, these are the tips this grasshoppah needs to learn.

There are alot of good riders on here who are willing to show you the ropes and answer the 100's of questions you may have. Find one of these guys and soak up all the knowlede they have to offer.
Yeah, though usually when we get together we just want to ride, I figured posting on the board would've been better where I can read and re-read it before I go riding.

[badiozam]

Originally posted by gixxerx8
Have you had a suspension setup at Lees Cycle? This made for an incredible difference in how my bike handled but it did suffer on rougher roads or on the freeway where most bumps could be felt. Through the canyons though, it stayed true to the line that I created when making a turn...even without getting my fat ass off my seat. Other than that, I think you'll know when you're one with your bike.
Wow, that's interesting... I'll be sure to check it out.

[kc1717]

well, i remember being in your shoes, and all i can say is slow down if all you are doing is trying to make it through the turn.

try to work on something.

turn in (smoothness /timming)

exit (trying to start your rolling on of the throttle as smooth as you can at around the apex)

body posistioning. (hang off, but it has to be comfortable, if you are hanging and feeling weird, dont hang so much, take it slower, get comfortable at the level you feel ok with, and then work from there)

also try to bring your upper body to the inside, this helps make the bike more stable.

dragging knee ( dont freak out when it happends, youhave plenty more lean angle left if you are smooth)

dragging knee (it will happen when you are entering turns at a high enough speed)

if you think you are close to dragging knee, then a few MPH on the entry will give you the lean angle to get it over further.

tires(make sure they are hot, hot , hot) both times ive crashed were in part because i didnt let me tires heat up enough.


basically, dot go and try to keep up, go at your own speed, and then evaluate what you personally needing to work on.
then ask questions, listen, try, ask, listen, try, ask , listen, try, and then move on to something else once you feel comfortable.

if you every want someone to follow you or lead you just ask, i know i and other will be there for you.

and before you know it, you'll be able to do things on the bike you only used to imagine doing

[afrothunder]

ok you mentioned you're at 36psi.
i'm usually running around 30-32psi when running hard in the canyons.
and be sure to check when the tires are COLD.

other than that... i think everyone else gave some pretty good advice.

[gixxerx8]

Hamid, one of the things I read about the R6 is the lower profile tire gave some of the testers of the 04 model problems which was resolved after putting a 70 series tire in it's place. Curiously enough, the '05 will have 120/70-ZR17 rather than 120/60-ZR17.
May be worth checking out.

[badiozam]

Originally posted by gixxerx8
Hamid, one of the things I read about the R6 is the lower profile tire gave some of the testers of the 04 model problems which was resolved after putting a 70 series tire in it's place. Curiously enough, the '05 will have 120/70-ZR17 rather than 120/60-ZR17.
May be worth checking out.
Interesting... wow that's a good find Richard! Thanks.

[badiozam]

Originally posted by kc1717
well, i remember being in your shoes, and all i can say is slow down if all you are doing is trying to make it through the turn.

try to work on something.

turn in (smoothness /timming)

exit (trying to start your rolling on of the throttle as smooth as you can at around the apex)

body posistioning. (hang off, but it has to be comfortable, if you are hanging and feeling weird, dont hang so much, take it slower, get comfortable at the level you feel ok with, and then work from there)

also try to bring your upper body to the inside, this helps make the bike more stable.

dragging knee ( dont freak out when it happends, youhave plenty more lean angle left if you are smooth)

dragging knee (it will happen when you are entering turns at a high enough speed)

if you think you are close to dragging knee, then a few MPH on the entry will give you the lean angle to get it over further.

tires(make sure they are hot, hot , hot) both times ive crashed were in part because i didnt let me tires heat up enough.


basically, dot go and try to keep up, go at your own speed, and then evaluate what you personally needing to work on.
then ask questions, listen, try, ask, listen, try, ask , listen, try, and then move on to something else once you feel comfortable.

if you every want someone to follow you or lead you just ask, i know i and other will be there for you.

and before you know it, you'll be able to do things on the bike you only used to imagine doing
Very helpful tips. I've started trying some of them already (upper body in, smoothness, hanging off). So far so good. Thanks!

[kc1717]

Originally posted by badiozam
Very helpful tips. I've started trying some of them already (upper body in, smoothness, hanging off). So far so good. Thanks!

exactly, and now youare one step closer to where you want to be.

keep up the good work, and work slow.

[gerk]

it sounds to me that you just need more seat time. like everyone said, just be smooooooooth! :) do you have a full suit or 2 piece? when i got mine, it made me feel sooooo much safer. its hard to explain but it was like a mental block was lifted. it made me faster, it might work for you too. if not, then you can take the pucks off and wear your pants to da club!!!;) yea baby!!!! enough talk, just ride!!!! hit me up if your free on a tuesday, ill ride with ya if ya want!!

[zee]

I recently went to Palomar with the "Big" Hypercycles ride. I didn't get any sleep since 1am that same day (had work from 2am-830am). I was really not feeling confident at Mt. Palomar, probably because I was tired, also because I haven't been there in a while, and finally, because I'm still a rider who is kind of new to the riding scene (7 months, 7,000 miles).

I noticed my form is really bad when I'm worrying about just trying to "ride" the mountain. Which makes perfect sense regarding a beginner just trying to use the clutch, brake and throttle as an anology. (This point is in the book "Twist of the Wrist" 1 and 2 which talks about where we spend our 1 dollar of attention). My point, I was too busy trying to "ride" the mountain then think about lines. As soon as I thought about lines, the mountain became a little easier for me. As soon as slowed down and thought about the lines through the mountain, I began to slowly speed up again because the best thought out lines through the mountain allowed me to speed up. The reason for this is the correct lines will allow you to see around a corner easier and also give you more leeway out of a turn.

My point, slow down, think about other things other than speed. You'll naturally speed up after this, through practice and patience.

[speedster1219]

Originally posted by zee
I recently went to Palomar with the "Big" Hypercycles ride. I didn't get any sleep since 1am that same day (had work from 2am-830am). I was really not feeling confident at Mt. Palomar, probably because I was tired, also because I haven't been there in a while, and finally, because I'm still a rider who is kind of new to the riding scene (7 months, 7,000 miles).

I noticed my form is really bad when I'm worrying about just trying to "ride" the mountain. Which makes perfect sense regarding a beginner just trying to use the clutch, brake and throttle as an anology. (This point is in the book "Twist of the Wrist" 1 and 2 which talks about where we spend our 1 dollar of attention). My point, I was too busy trying to "ride" the mountain then think about lines. As soon as I thought about lines, the mountain became a little easier for me. As soon as slowed down and thought about the lines through the mountain, I began to slowly speed up again because the best thought out lines through the mountain allowed me to speed up. The reason for this is the correct lines will allow you to see around a corner easier and also give you more leeway out of a turn.

My point, slow down, think about other things other than speed. You'll naturally speed up after this, through practice and patience.

One of the things I noticed when I started going to Palomar was the more I tried the worst I got. So I concentrated one one item everyday...learning the mountain first; learning lines; braking; etc.... getting positive feedback is always crucial...having someone video you is also good..:)


these are just suggestions.... :)

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Aside from the good tips and advice above, please remember that the Yamaha's are plagued with a loose front end. If you haven't had the stem checked out, it could be that. Either loose bearings or worn bearings.
Originally posted by Cyanide41
RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE. +1

Also, get some track days under your belt. A great place to build/hone your skills (and be humbled by the fast riders out there). If you can afford it, get instructions. The old adage "practice makes perfect" is incorrect. Proper training makes perfect; practice makes permanent.

Keep the rubber side down!

See my sig below for a link to "The Pace" -- a great way to ride in the canyons and still have fun/ get a rush. Your skills will have to be fairly developed to ride in that manner (because you flick the bike in hard when you're going that fast), but it's something to work towards.

One thing that helped me get over speed was the position of my head. If I moved my head so that I am "kissing the mirror" (in other words, down and way to the side), and kept it upright to the horizon, although I would be going fast I would not feel like I was going fast. This should also drop the inner shoulder; but if it doesn't, drop your inner shoulder. YMMV

[zee]

Originally posted by speedster1219
One of the things I noticed when I started going to Palomar was the more I tried the worst I got. So I concentrated one one item everyday...learning the mountain first; learning lines; braking; etc.... getting positive feedback is always crucial...having someone video you is also good..:)


these are just suggestions.... :)

I was feeling the same thing. When I first went to palomar, I actually felt more confident. As I went more and more, I was feeling as I was getting worse.... hmmm...

[badiozam]

Wow guys, these are really good tips. Thanks for everyone's input.

I'll definitely get that full piece suit and get a track day under my belt. I recently got back from Iran and I hadn't been riding for three weeks so I thought I'd be worse off, but I think it actually helped me a bit just being away from it.