Steering Characteristics

[speedwaymaniac]

Hi All, I've just picked up a Bandit 600 Y ('00) and the steering feels a little odd compared to other bikes i've ridden before.

When cornering it's almost as if the brakes are dragging slightly however I'm almost positive this is not the case. Is this a characteristic of the bike due to weight distribution?

Any ideas / suggestions would be appreciated.

[Red01]

I never thought that on the 600's I've ridden. They've handled quicker & easier than my B12... but if you're used to the B4, perhaps the B6 just feels a little more sluggish?

Or you have a problem... dragging brakes, low tire pressure, dry/worn steering head or wheel bearings...

[speedwaymaniac]

Thanks for your input Red!  

A real novice question now, whats the best way to check for wear in the Head and the wheel bearings?

Surely if that were the case the bike would feel "Wobbly" in corners and be nearly impossible to turn the handlebars at all?

I'm almost 100% positive its not the brakes but obviously could still be wrong.

[Red01]

With head or wheel bearing you do usually get some wobble.

You can check head bearings by feeling for slop at the head while moving the front suspension.

You can check wheel bearings by raising the front tire off the ground and grabbing the tire and try to move it up/down and left/right and feel for play around the axle.

[speedwaymaniac]

Have checked all the bearings best i can without actually taking everything to pieces.

I've cleaned up the brakes completely and it does seem better! I think it might just be a difference in bike weight and the like. After all so far all my previous have been pretty small, and it's certainly not affecting my cornering.

If anybody has any further suggestions i'm open to them, else thanx Red your suggestions have been great.
 

[Cruisecontrol]

What sort of tyre is on the front and what is its condition?

If it has a centre groove, ditch it.