Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Coomers on July 24, 2012, 06:43:52 AM
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I have an 08 Conny with 22,000 miles on her. I seemed to have created a high speed wobble at about 120 – 130 MPH. At first I thought it was because my PR 2’s were worn but even with my new PR3’s I have the same wobble. I assuming it may be the steering head bearing but would like the forms opinion. And if it is the head bearings do I need to change the bearings or can I get away with just torqueing them.
Thanks,
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If you haven't already, I believe at 15000 you are supposed to grease the bearing then re-torque them. Of course the simple solution is not to go 120-130 mph.
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If you haven't already, I believe at 15000 you are supposed to grease the bearing then re-torque them. Of course the simple solution is not to go 120-130 mph.
Hey Doc, it hurts when I do this... ::)
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Hey Doc, it hurts when I do this... ::)
:rotflmao:
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When you do the job, you'll need a special tool to fit the bearing adj. ring. I think they're available from "Motorcycle Larry".
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Thanks Guys,
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When you do the job, you'll need a special tool to fit the bearing adj. ring. I think they're available from "Motorcycle Larry".
Motorcycle Larry doesn't have it listed on his website does anyone know where else I can get one?
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I have one that I bought a while back and never used --let me know if your interested?
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Send an email to: ehcycledude@yahoo.com
He makes these shockets. Not sure if he has any available at the moment, so your best bet may be to get with bigsogbites on the one that he has.
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If you haven't already, I believe at 15000 you are supposed to grease the bearing then re-torque them. Of course the simple solution is not to go 120-130 mph.
What's the easiest way to check to see if it's loose?
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With the bike on the center stand, support the frame to hold the front wheel off the ground. Grap the lower fork legs and see if you can detect any bearing play, while pushing/pulling the fork front to rear.
Also, check how easily the wheel falls into full lock left and right. Normally, there is slight resistance.
My lazy way to snug them? Reach in from the side with a long punch, and use a hammer on it to drive the notched nut tighter.
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I almost sold my 2011 because of a high speed wobble that I got after I hit a softball sized rock and blew both tires and rims. The wobble wasn't there before, and now it wouldn't go away, happened at about 130mph plus. I finally figured out that it was the PR2's that I had put on after the crash, they were much "thinner" than the B-023's that came with the bike. After going back to the B-023's, the bike is dialed in at 150mph and I am glad to say I'm keeping my girl (Connie.) If I didn't want to ride at those speeds, I would've bought a bike that didn't share the same engine as the zx-14!
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If I didn't want to ride at those speeds, I would've bought a bike that didn't share the same engine as the zx-14!
+1
another plus is driving to work in the morning and ending up in the front at some traffic light, on a two lane road, and a Maseratti GT on the other lane wanting to drag. I usually don't bother but the guy in the car was begging for it... ;D
For everything else, Yamaha makes a wonderful YBR 125 with which these guys (http://www.re-moto.com/the_motorcycles.php?lang=eng) went around the world.
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If you haven't already, I believe at 15000 you are supposed to grease the bearing then re-torque them. Of course the simple solution is not to go 120-130 mph.
That's crazy talk right there.
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I have one that I bought a while back and never used --let me know if your interested?
PM Sent.
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I love all the old timers or wimps who never use the performance the bike was built for. you know who they are , they are always complaining or trying to figure out how to get better gas mileage or getting 10k per set of tires. boriiinnggg . :o
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I love all the old timers or wimps who never use the performance the bike was built for. you know who they are , they are always complaining or trying to figure out how to get better gas mileage or getting 10k per set of tires. boriiinnggg . :o
:goodpost:
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I love all the old timers or wimps who never use the performance the bike was built for. you know who they are , they are always complaining or trying to figure out how to get better gas mileage or getting 10k per set of tires. boriiinnggg . :o
I am a semi-old timer, I guess, because I like the speed, handling, etc. of the Connie, but I also want a bunch of miles out of the tires, especially when forced into straight-line highway travel. The gas mileage doesn't matter that much, because I can still go farther between fill-ups than most of my riding buddies.
I can honestly say that the speedo on my Connie will register 162 mph (yes, I know from experience that is really ONLY about 154-156), although I really don't recommend trying that. ;)
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I love all the old timers.....
:-* I love you too, but don't tell the wife. ;) 8)
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:-* I love you too, but don't tell the wife. ;) 8)
Ok you two, break it up or get a room. :-*
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Ok you two, break it up or get a room. :-*
:rotflmao:
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Ok you two, break it up or get a room. :-*
Nah, no room for us, he loves all the oldtimers or the wimps. I'm just not willing to share.
Sorry rtarp' I think we're through. :( :'(
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Nah, no room for us, he loves all the oldtimers or the wimps. I'm just not willing to share.
Sorry rtarp' I think we're through. :( :'(
Sigh, that's how some of these internet romances go. One day you're hot, the next you're not. Such is the fickle heart.
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I almost sold my 2011 because of a high speed wobble that I got after I hit a softball sized rock and blew both tires and rims. The wobble wasn't there before, and now it wouldn't go away, happened at about 130mph plus. I finally figured out that it was the PR2's that I had put on after the crash, they were much "thinner" than the B-023's that came with the bike. After going back to the B-023's, the bike is dialed in at 150mph and I am glad to say I'm keeping my girl (Connie.) If I didn't want to ride at those speeds, I would've bought a bike that didn't share the same engine as the zx-14!
Interesting. You are suggesting the PR2's have a stability problem. That is heresy on this forum. As far as I can recall, in 5 years only you, me and one other has ever posted anything negative about the PR2. By the way, I also blew a front rim hitting a softball sized rock.
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Interesting. You are suggesting the PR2's have a stability problem. That is heresy on this forum. As far as I can recall, in 5 years only you, me and one other has ever posted anything negative about the PR2. By the way, I also blew a front rim hitting a softball sized rock.
I think what he is posting is that he had a problem with one set of PR2s.
As for the heresy, I think you'll find that most of us PR2/PR3 devotees will abandon them as soon as something better comes along. I know I will. ;D
Personally I haven't tried the BT023s as I haven't needed to.
I changed from the BT021 because they were not just bad, but bordering on dangerous.
A great many other people agreed whereas I have only heard of a few people who prefer the BT021 over the PR2.
My personal experiences of the Exedras, BT45, BT-020 and BT021 have led me to the conclusion that Bridgestone don't make tyres for me. They seem to sell enough so I guess that some people like them.
In the past I was a Metzeler Z6 devotee on the C10 and before that I was an Avon Azaro devotee and before that a Michelin 89/90/100 devotee. I go where the performance is. I'm not a brand junkie.
I once broke a rim by ramming it into the side of a Volvo 240 at 60Mph. Does that count? <LOL>
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Interesting. You are suggesting the PR2's have a stability problem. That is heresy on this forum. As far as I can recall, in 5 years only you, me and one other has ever posted anything negative about the PR2. By the way, I also blew a front rim hitting a softball sized rock.
What's up with you guys? Target fixation? You're supposed to drive AROUND those rocks. :o
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What's up with you guys? Target fixation? You're supposed to drive AROUND those rocks. :o
In my case it wasn't target fixation, I never saw the rock. More like looking in the wrong place, gazing at the scenery, getting cocky on a familiar road, failure to follow sipde. GONGGGG!
Latherloses riding priviledges for 10 days!
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I've often wondered how the sponsored pro's actually avoid target fixation (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B57_tolBuvE/TfA8DHsZGUI/AAAAAAAAAHs/QcwKpxoxjiE/s1600/2720078439_29d5fac4fc.jpg)
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I've often wondered how the sponsored pro's actually avoid target fixation (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B57_tolBuvE/TfA8DHsZGUI/AAAAAAAAAHs/QcwKpxoxjiE/s1600/2720078439_29d5fac4fc.jpg)
:P :-* :)
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I think a lot of things could cause a high speed wobble. I was at about 135mph on Thursday afternoon. I did it with a quicker acceleration than I usually would and in 4th gear which is also rare. I let off the throttle and wobbled hard. Let off the throttle just a bit more and shook worse and doubted saving it. I immediately throttled upward closer to 140mph, pushing hard out on both bars and let off the throttle a little slower this time. And all went good. Thank God!
I think it had a lot to do with the 200 lbs of work gear and the rate of forward pressure when I started to slow down. I'll have to open it up again when I have a lighter load on it. This was the first time I've ever had issues at high speed.
I got home and did an oil change on me and the C-14. We feel better now.
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scaffold
do you have an aftermarket windscreen and was it up? the other day i was 2 up with the bags on and full of stuff while using an atlanta scientific large windscreen in the down postion . We touched 150 and i brought it down down hard with no wobble. I have never experienced a high speed wobble with this bike and i do it freguently, i also have that ftermarket windscreen on.
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scaffold
do you have an aftermarket windscreen and was it up? the other day i was 2 up with the bags on and full of stuff while using an atlanta scientific large windscreen in the down postion . We touched 150 and i brought it down down hard with no wobble. I have never experienced a high speed wobble with this bike and i do it freguently, i also have that ftermarket windscreen on.
Wow, if I rode two up at that speed, it would be the last time she rode with me, ever! :o
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I have one that I bought a while back and never used --let me know if your interested?
PM sent.
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I have a C-Baileys Euro and it was in the down position. I leave it down all the time this time of year unless it is pouring out. I won't go over 120 again until I have a lighter load, so I can get a better feel of what is triggering it. I did have an extra compression bag tied to the back seat with a cargo net. But I still am thinking there was too much forward momentum to let off the throttle that hard.
I have hit 150 with the screen up on my old bike 2008 C-14 with no issues too.
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Running with a light load in the bags (prob. 200 #'s of man and gear), PR3's, stock windshield in the down position, pretty calm day, hit 135 mph and cut the throttle. Experienced a wobble. That's the second time it's happened in pretty much the same scenario since getting the PR3's. Never happened with the OEM's.
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I might start blaming the PR3s as well then. Although I do love them.
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Those experiencing the PR2/PR3 high speed wobbles, would you reveal if the rear tire is a 50 or a 55?
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so... the OEM Stones are great, uh?
ahhhh, the circle of life.
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I have PR3's and zero wobble. The bike is rock steady at any speed. 27,000 miles on a 2010.
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- imho , at very high speeds , the rider's position/posture on the bike is very important.
- elbows bent , forearms parallel with the ground and a light hold on the grips.
- try that and let the bike do her thing
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145 and NO WOBBLE.
2011 w/13,000 miles
PR3's with 6000 miles on them
Stock shield 1/3 up
Bags on
And I slowed down pretty quickly
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I'll have to give it a try with a little less weight. I have always run Michelins with no issues.
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I've found that unless I make a point of insisting that the wheels be carefully balanced after putting on new tires, I get a speed wobble about 200 kph. I then take it back to th shop and point out that I may be an old fart, but I like to ride the bike fast.
After that they seem to get the idea.
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I've found that unless I make a point of insisting that the wheels be carefully balanced after putting on new tires, I get a speed wobble about 200 kph. I then take it back to th shop and point out that I may be an old fart, but I like to ride the bike fast.
After that they seem to get the idea.
That's why I balance them myself.
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I'm not saying the OEM's are great, or even good, just that I didn't have that wobble with them. I will likely buy PR3/PR2 again the next time I need tires. I now have 4,389 miles on these PR3's and they look like they'll last awhile longer.
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Maybe try firming up the forks and rear shock, and dial in the rebound?? Just a thought?
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two sets of pr2's had a wobble/shake at higher speeds for me. 023 stones have been like glass ever since. (stack of used tires up to my eyes)
the pr2 would twitch or step out a tic, not sure if it was the safety design of the tire to pucker you up so you stay sharp railing twisties :D . the 023 have been great and very predictable, just need to get more that 4k miles out of a rear and 6k out of a front.
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I agree fully with JS Racer. My tires were the 50's, not 55's and they were not the PR3's, but PR2's. The 23's work infinitely better at super high speeds than the PR2. Go Irish!
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Hey Doc, it hurts when I do this... ::)
Why do you ride your conny at 150mph? Because you can.
why does a dog lick his balls?
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1st off, I bought a Connie because it does 150+, if I wanted to go slower, I'd have bought a Yamaha RD250......
2nd, I guess I can say I'm middle aged (45) and the adrenaline still flows after 35 years of experience.
3rd, my 08 and 09 speed wobbles at 130-135 with only the back box on (no side bags) or with a worn out rear tire (I soley use Pilot Powers)
Lastly, the Connie is down on power than the ZX14, but I bought the Connie for comfort not sat in a begging position to be sky rocketed into oblivian!!!
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1st off, I bought a Connie because it does 150+, if I wanted to go slower, I'd have bought a Yamaha RD250......
2nd, I guess I can say I'm middle aged (45) and the adrenaline still flows after 35 years of experience.
3rd, my 08 and 09 speed wobbles at 130-135 with only the back box on (no side bags) or with a worn out rear tire (I soley use Pilot Powers)
Lastly, the Connie is down on power than the ZX14, but I bought the Connie for comfort not sat in a begging position to be sky rocketed into oblivian!!!
Speaking of 250's, I used to own 2 of honda's nx250 enduro's. there kinda hi revving, liquid cooled, dohc, light little city bikes. Anyway, I had been riding 1000's or bigger for year's, and thought i could cut down on the speeding tix with them. It worked, for like 8 minutes. I got clocked doing 95mph, with a passenger(my wonderfull daughter) on the bike. Incorrigible. I got out of the fine because the judge didn't believe the bike would go 95, being a 250 dirt bike. ha.
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Speaking of 250's, I used to own 2 of honda's nx250 enduro's. there kinda hi revving, liquid cooled, dohc, light little city bikes. Anyway, I had been riding 1000's or bigger for year's, and thought i could cut down on the speeding tix with them. It worked, for like 8 minutes. I got clocked doing 95mph, with a passenger(my wonderfull daughter) on the bike. Incorrigible. I got out of the fine because the judge didn't believe the bike would go 95, being a 250 dirt bike. ha.
hahahahahahaahhaahahahaha, I had the ole 79 RD250, it rattled to 90!!!! lol.