Handling

[hoffy]

This computer rage always makes me laugh.

farkin funny aye !

[Nelso]

Fuck me, I go away for a few days and I miss all the fun.

To answer your question in simple terms Peter, the Z's geometry (steep rake, weight over the front wheel and wide bars) make it very responsive so the smallest input on the bars, body position etc and will give a bigger response than most bikes. That's also what makes them so fun to ride. The 180 rear will make it even more twitchy so I would be going back to the 190 when it's up for replacement.

That being said they do stand up if you fuck up and get on the front brake mid corner and you end up shooting off in a straight line (yes I have done it) so I would steer clear of the front brake at all costs when cornering. If I do overcook it into a corner it pulls up much better if I just throw it over and stay off the gas, than touching the front brakes. The upright riding position can also lure you into a lazy riding technique and you end up pulling on the bars for stability rather than leaning forward which also stands it up, as Wattie mentioned earlier.

[Benno]

Guys, I think we've overlooked tyre pressures. Hoffy, sort the man out please.

[Peter]

Thanks Nelso, tyre pressures are fine Benno, like I have already stated the reason I originally asked the question was to find out if these bikes stand up "more than most" when on the front brake, I think thats been answered now ?? I think ?? My mates speed tripple has just as short a wheelbase as the Z but you can brake the shit out of it when cornering. Anyway, I was really asking because I have two different brand tyres on it and thought that may have something to do with it ?? Since this thread started I have had a chance to ride the bike a lot more and I am naturally compensating for the way it handles anyway so it's just a case of what tyres to put on it now ?? Thanks for all the reply's, even the frustrating ones.

[Saki]

mine stands up on the back wheel

[zenodamper]

The shape of the compression and rebound curves vs. how the rear linkage moves the shock, the manner of, would be my explanation - cause, even if it isn't down to a dodgy tyre, bearing or other consumable being firked, in previous experience with building forks and shocks for all the Zeds (7s and litres; ancient and modern), they always have a preference for how the weight is manipulated....

Still, I'll disappear out for Italian, and leave the bickering to the best....

[98ninja]

well no doubt im going to get told what im doing wrong but here goes...
in ANY twisty section of road when im pushing it the last thing i do is touch the rear brake.
ive done the oxley a few times now and i dont think i touched the rear brake at all. same with old pacific highway.
Ive read about riding techniques and the advantages of the rear brake but all it seems to do is unsettle the bike.
in fact the last time i did the old pacific highway i tried trailing some rear brake into a corner and ended up on the wrong side of the road and all out of shape.
maybe its a mental thing because i crashed using rear brake.
maybe its suspension set up.
maybe its a zx12 thing.

[mike-s]

Remember people, opinions are like assholes.

[MadFab]

i think or hope the brake trailing thing was ,on the exit of a corner ,under high power , you can trail the rear brake to try and help aleviate any rear wheel spin .
well that was what i was taught by a race instructor at a racecraft course !

fab

[hoffy]

Remember people, opinions are like assholes.

Jees you better have an opinion throwing your weight around in here....

so what is it, Im all ears ??