Odd low speed handling

[spatten]

Hi guys, I got out on my new to me 2012 this morning and the low speed handling is really odd.  Under about 20 mph it feels like a raked out cruiser or a sportbike with really low front tire pressure.  The front wants to flop when turning.

At speed it works fine.  I hit a canyon and it felt great, both geometry and suspension.  The front tire did not push at all at moderate riding pace, as I thought it might.

The tires are Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S20-F.

I'd read that Bridgestone tires were improved by 2012, but don't know if these are the same as stock.  I hope the bike does not feel this weird normally.

Any guidance you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

[gPink]

Tire pressures? 42/42

[Caffeinated]

the stock tires were/are BT021's and they really SUUUUUUUCK.  Not sure what your slow speed issue is, but the C14 is not know for being nimble in the parking lot with it's long wheelbase and 680# weight.

[seagiant]

Hi,
     I just got the Black (Stealth) 2012 and did a little research on the tires. I have the stock 021"s that came with the bike. Here is what I found. Kawasaki got so many complaints about the tires on the 2008/09 bikes that for the Gen.II bikes in 2010 they had Bridgestone revamp the 021's by supposedly adding more rubber and a better profile!

   If you surf Google and hear what people say, it seems that the 2010-2013 crowd are mostly using the 021's to get their money out of them and then most are looking at the Michilen PR2 or PR3's! Admitedly the C14 is not great in the parking lot but I don't spend a lot of time there!

[VirginiaJim]

The 08/09 crowd did mostly the same...

[spatten]

I dropped the pressures to 38/38 because I wanted to hit the canyon roads this morning and have no load on the bike.

[clogan]

I find that, at parking lot speeds, I must use ONLY the rear brake. The Connie is far from nimble, especially at low speeds, but use of the rear brake only is a big help.

[mike]

I dropped the pressures to 38/38 because I wanted to hit the canyon roads this morning and have no load on the bike.

                                                 

This is how the bike will feel w/ these pressures. Remember, you're on a 700lb sport touring bike, not a 400lb sport bike. 42/42 is your friend. & dump the bridgestones for a good set of tires.

[spatten]

"This is how the bike will feel w/ these pressures. Remember, you're on a 700lb sport touring bike, not a 400lb sport bike. 42/42 is your friend. & dump the bridgestones for a good set of tires."

I reckon that's the deal, and I need to make an adjustment to my head.  I remember thinking something was wrong with my ZX-11 at first because it was so hard to turn at speed.  I just wasn't used to such a heavy bike.  Since then I've been on 400 lb bikes, so I guess that's the deal.

[Tarheelbob]

I don't think you need to make an adjustment to your head. I think you need to make an adjustment to your tires. You didn't give the mileage of these tires, but the stock Bridgestones were retched excuses for motorcycle tires. Shoe on a set of Pirelli Angels, Michelin PR 3's, or similar and go enjoy this bike.

[spatten]

How about PR2s?  A few months ago they were much, much cheaper than the PR3s.  I put them on my Buell and they were great.

Any problems with the 2s?

[Shoe]

I would use the recommended air pressure of 42/42. Is this your first bike with linked brakes?
Be careful this is a top heavy bike.

[maxtog]

I dropped the pressures to 38/38 because I wanted to hit the canyon roads this morning and have no load on the bike.

Not recommended.  Remember, the C14 is a heavy chick   And you might not be used to something top heavy like this.

But perhaps you might also need some suspension adjustments.

[spatten]

Yeah, I've never had linked brakes before, and would probably not opt for them.  Although I realize the back brake on this tank probably does actually do something, so in reality it's probably very helpful to have the linked braking.

great bike, but you guys are right, the weight must be respected.

[Conrad]

How about PR2s?  A few months ago they were much, much cheaper than the PR3s.  I put them on my Buell and they were great.

Any problems with the 2s?

The PR2s are great. As reported here, they last a bit longer than the PR3s, but the 3s are better in the wet.

[spatten]

Excellent to know the PR2s are approved here on the Concours.  I got a set for about $250 in the Spring, and the 3s were far higher at that time.  I thought they were super tires, but never had to ride in rain other than interstate.  Not much power to break them loose on the XB9 either.