Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hi Guys,

I have a 2001 zx6r and whilst riding it through the Adelaide hills, I don't feel confident with the turn in on the front wheel. Any suggestions on how to sharpen it up a bit? It just doesn't turn in as tight as it should. Bear in mind I have never adjusted suspension before. Any help would be appreciated

cheers

Mick

forget suspension set ups
back to basics first

are wheel and head stem bearings set correctly?
tyre pressure? what is it? too low or high?
tyre wear? is front near new or nearly worn out?
when were the forks last serviced? seals not leaking?
is the oil height correct?

Has it always turned in like this, or is this a new thing?
Front tyre triangulated?
When you turn, does it feel like it turns in sections instead of smoothly the whole way? i.e, going from straight to full turn, does it go smoothly the whole way or does it turn smoothly, then resists, then smooth, then resists?

It's a new tyre with about 1500kms on it, tyre pressure is at 36 psi. It turns smoothly, but seems to understeer. No idea about head stem, wheel bearings or the front forks. Nothing is leaking, and everything seems to be in good order. Thanks for your suggestions though, I'll have to get those things checked out

Cheers

to check headstem roughly, put front brake on hard while at stand still and see if you con rock it back and forward, this will show any play in headstem bearing.
to check wheel bearings, place bike on side stand-rear stand, and place your legs either side of you wheel (front) and then try and turn the handlebars each way, this will show any play in the wheel bearings.
forks are a bit trickier but if their not leaking and they have been fine till now they should be ok, just make shore they compress and rebound firmly with no tight spots.

if all this checks out id lower the tyre pressure a little bit to give you a larger contact area of the tyre

MickDee wrote:It's a new tyre with about 1500kms on it, tyre pressure is at 36 psi. It turns smoothly, but seems to understeer. No idea about head stem, wheel bearings or the front forks. Nothing is leaking, and everything seems to be in good order. Thanks for your suggestions though, I'll have to get those things checked out

Cheers

Things to check......


What profile tyre is on the front? 60/65/70??

I'd suggest the following (in order) to make the bike turn well (better):

1. Ensure tyres are in good nick and pressures OK. Ensure forks are not leaking and settings are adjusted evenly.
2. Ensure tyres are correct profile. If not, adjust suspension to suit /compensate(see below). Your bike originally left the factory with 120/65 fronts and these days most people are running 120/70s on them - this is fine but should be compensated for. You should be running a 180/50 on the rear (a 190/50 will also slow the turn-in down).
3. Set static sag correctly (30-35mm) front and rear.
4. Set compression and rebound to the middle (if you're average weight) or 3/4 in (if you're a fat bastard).

If the bike is now handling well stop here and fettle the front and rear compression and rebound settings if desired to fine-tune the ride
5. Raise the rear suspension by adjusting up the lock nuts. Start with a 5mm lift.
6. Raise the forks through the triple clamps - do this in small increments, starting with 3-5mm and increasing by no more than 2mm each subsequent change.

If it still doesn't handle well I'd be taking it to a shop to have them help yo with the setup and, if necessary, look at rebuilding the suspension to suit you.

good luck and let us know how you get on!