- 1). Check your tire pressure. Improper air inflation in your tires can cause heavy-steering feel, loss of traction and premature tire failure. For most 600cc models, an ideal "performance" setting is 32 psi (pounds per square inch) at the front tire and 36 psi at the rear. Higher displacement models may need a bit more: 36 psi at the front and 40 psi at the rear. Refer to your owner's manual for Honda's recommended tire pressures.
- 2). Inspect your tire tread for wear or signs of damage. Look for flat spots or areas where the inner metal "cord" is showing through the rubber. A lack of proper tread thickness can decrease the handling of your motorcycle as the tire fights against its own irregularities to grip the road.
- 3). Set your suspension sag. This refers to setting up the motorcycle's suspension specifically for its rider. Factory-provided suspension settings are designed for a 5' 9" tall rider weighing in at 180 pounds with basic street riding in mind. Fine tuning the front forks and rear shock to accommodate your weight, height and riding style will drastically improve the handling of your motorcycle.
- 4). Install a steering damper. Steering dampers are hydraulically-actuated devices that prevent excessive movement of the front fork, negating smaller road irregularities and preventing high-speed wobble. While this may not seem like it would help your motorcycle's handling, it will stabilize your motorcycle's chassis while leaned over in a turn.
- 5). Switch to a different tire. As opposed to replacing a tire because it is damaged, simply switching to a different manufacturer's tire or a different tire model can sometimes make a big difference in your bike's handling. This is due to the different profiles used by the varying manufacturers; some prefer a rounded "crown," which provides better straight-line stability but requires more effort to turn in. Other companies may prefer a "peaked," almost triangular, crown to provide a quick turn-in, favoring side-to-side transitions over stability.
previous post
next post