Do all Concours pull to the right?

[jtk1531]

you might want to check if the cables from your handlebar are correctly routed. it doesn't take much pressure to turn the handlebar just the slightest bit to make the bike go left or right at speed. this was common problem for another kawasaki model.

surprised that no one suggested that the weight of the exhaust can might have played a part in the bike drifting right. 

[JerBear]

surprised that no one suggested that the weight of the exhaust can might have played a part in the bike drifting right. 

It is ridiculous to suggest that "They all do that" and any stealership that does something like that doesn't deserve your business.  I have an 08 and it is straight as an arrow. Any bike designed to drive in excess of 100 mph would never (on purpose) drive that way, when they say "They all do that" they are telling you that they are clueless and you probably know that already, that's why you are asking us.

  As far as the weight of the potato launcher, remember the final drive is on the other side of the bike and is pretty heavy in its own right.

 Did they get the front fork assembled correctly? If one side of the fork tube is not positioned correctly it could cause pull.  Perhaps a bad front bearing on the right side but you would feel that through the handle bars.  If not that then the tires are the next likely cause.  Get someone you trust to drive it, (to make sure it's not just your imagination) it's better if they don't know about the issue and ask them if they think it has any weird issues when they drive it so they don't keep anything they feel to themselves out of not wanting to rain on your new bike parade.  If you both feel it, the dealer needs to help you find out what is wrong on your NEW warrantee bike that you just gave them money to own.  Tell them to get their best tech on it and they will get your money through replacement tires, farkels, and helmets, whatever.  It sucks when you want a new bike experience and get this, they should have found this before you ever threw your leg over the saddle.

[Conrad]

Of course it pulls to the right. What side of the bike is that massive exhaust mounted on?   

Mine is very neutral.

[Curt]

My 2008 pulled to the right when new. Switched my chaindrive wallet to my left hip pocket and now it tracks straight.

[ugocon]

As promised, I tested no hands drive extensively on straights during a short trip this sunny and hot afternoon...
It goes absolutely straight!
To make it curve a bit, to left or right, you have to lean your body a lot... it looks like running on a track!
BTW it's fully equipped with saddle bags and top case... and I have a full face helmet in the LEFT saddlebag (perhaps compensating the exhaust on the right???)

[momo65]

maybe one of the buttocks side is heavier 

[Gsun]

I had a GS 750 that pulled to the right after riding for an hour or so. Not before. I thought I was going crazy and doing something wrong. I sold it and bought a 1998 Conk and it tracked straight as an arrow. Not crazy! May have been the tire heating up?

[KawiMick]

Found an article on bmwsporttouring.com

engine, transmission, driveline, and final drive - it is clear that the weight is not centered left-right.  The inline engine lying on its side has the crankshaft located right of the centerline of the chassis.  The transmission is also weight biased to the right.  And, obviously the bulk of the swingarm, the driveshaft, and the final drive or rear end unit are located right of the center line of the chassis.

If you were to attempt to balance a K bike on its tires on a perfectly flat surface in a zero wind enclosure, from an absolutely vertical position it would inevitably always fall over to the right.  So, when riding the bike, more often than not the weight bias to the right will cause the motorcycle to want to lean to the right.  This again makes it necessary to hold slight left steering pressure to go straight and added wear left-of-center on the front tire.

r,
  My 2010 does not pull right or left.  That bmwsporttouring site had many riders over the year 'think' their bikes pulled to the right.  Once they removed the 20Lbs of tools from the right saddle bag, no more pull.  Some even decided that the 0.050" spacer between the final drive hub and the wheel caused their pull and they removed it, pull fixed, miraculously.  My R1100RT doesn't pull and my K1100LT doesn't pull, never did. 
  What have you ridden in the past?  Shaft bikes don't have an inherent pulling problem.

Mick

[rwilliamm]

Thanks for the input everyone.
I was riding a 2009 Yamaha V-Star belt drive. Went straight as an arrow. Alot cooler of a bike to ride too. Riding the Connie home and feeling the heat and was very suprised how hot of a ride it is.
I have tested the Connie pulling alot. Tried riding on the crown of the road and such. To go straight I have to lean left hard.
About the front brake clutch cable, I dont think its too short. I will check it out though. Was about to test the theory of standing the bike up and see if it prefers to fall right every time.
Kinda hope its just something like the tires though. Maybe get the stealership to put different tires on.

[McJunkie]

Could be the forks aren't seated correctly. Maybe this is why when people replace the tires that the bike goes straight after that. Have the dealer loosen the pinch bolts and re-seat the forks and see if that doesn't help.

[Z71]

Could be the forks aren't seated correctly. Maybe this is why when people replace the tires that the bike goes straight after that. Have the dealer loosen the pinch bolts and re-seat the forks and see if that doesn't help.

Good suggestion, and I would also check the suspension setting to be equal on both front fork upper adjustment bolts.  Stiffer damping on one can cause some strange behavior.

I would also check the front brakes carefully.  Could be that one caliper is dragging, or one rotor is slightly warped.

BTW, my '09 C14 has been tracking straight from day one, no pulling in either direction.  And I still have the crappy OEM tires.

[B.D.F.]

Not likely to be a brake or brake related problem- older motorcycles only had a rotor on one side and they did not pull in that direction when the brakes were applied.

Unless the bike is significantly misaligned the only reason why a motorcycle would favor either side is weight distribution; there is a greater amount to the right of the bike's centerline than the left of the C/L.

Try putting the fob in the other pocket....

Brian

<snip>

I would also check the front brakes carefully.  Could be that one caliper is dragging, or one rotor is slightly warped.

BTW, my '09 C14 has been tracking straight from day one, no pulling in either direction.  And I still have the crappy OEM tires.

[ZG]

Try putting the fob in the other pocket....

Brian

 
 

[Awaz]

Mine did pull to the right after a tire change and I forgot to tighten the pinch bolts. But I attributed that to a stuffed right bag. I will re-test once the weather gets better. Of course, it does not matter much to me (used to it) as my cruiser got a heavy pull to the left due to the 250mm tire mod I did to it !!  !!

[vortex2]

Loosen the right side axle pinch bolts.
Loosen the lower fork pinch bolts.
Pump the suspension (front) up and down 5 or 6 times.
Re-torque the bolts evenly.
Test ride.

[Awaz]

Mine did pull to the right after a tire change and I forgot to tighten the pinch bolts. But I attributed that to a stuffed right bag. I will re-test once the weather gets better. Of course, it does not matter much to me (used to it) as my cruiser got a heavy pull to the left due to the 250mm tire mod I did to it !!  !!

I did a test today (sucky rainy day) on my way to work. I put my laptop on the left bag, while all the other junk stayed on the right bag. I let go the handlebars and the bike tracked straight !!! And I made sure to have my fob in my left pocket !