Author Topic: Front End Plowing (Read 2834 times)

TheBigB · « **on:** March 18, 2006, 03:21:34 PM »

Has anyone else experienced a, for a lack of better words, plowing sensation from the front end during hard braking. Its and odd combination of feeling like the front wheel locks up but not quite along with a feeling that the wheel skids from side to side.

Wondering if this the result of bad tread on the tires, soft forks...? But I will have to say that this is something I have noticed about the bike from day one. I have never been overly confident in its handling during braking.

Also, since my crash last Oct. I am very interested in making this bike super sticky and ultra solid when it comes to handling. Again, would the right tires and upgraded suspension help the situation significantly?

Your thoughts?

The Big B

JBrobeck · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2006, 04:23:18 PM »

Sounds to me like the combination of brake dive and possible front tire cupping. The Cupping will lead to the side to side feeling, and the brake dive will accentuate the feeling by loading the front end with extra weight.

Josh

mike · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2006, 05:43:53 PM »

This is a no brainer, but check your air pressure... A low front tire will fold on a hertbeat and wallow when braking.

LowRyter · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2006, 06:01:02 PM »

My bike will understeer in a turn when the rear shock has too much dampening (or is it rebound?). If you have a stock shcck, you might check & set the dial to "one". I'm not talkin about the preload.

I've upgraded to progressive rear shcok and will do the samething to the handling.

I'd check the other things listed first, since you seem to have the prblem under braking.

smooth operator · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2006, 07:24:26 AM »

At 500lbs plus the Bandit is not a bike you want to run in hot on the brakes. But I know what your talking about. I cured the problem (1st, like what was stated always check tire pr.)by installing Race Tech gold valves and springs. A good rear shock.And better riding habits.Do your braking early to scrub off speed if necisary, and get the power on earlier to transfer the weight off the front end. And then the bike handles and tracks well enough to hang with the sport bikes and even race ready motorcycles. Dan

LowRyter · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2006, 11:14:07 AM »

agree that Gold Valves and fat man springs in the fork stop brake drive.

makes a huge difference.

TheBigB · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2006, 04:12:33 PM »

Thanks for the tips.

I have been meaning to replace the front tire for some time due to cupping issues and I have only myeslf to blame for neglecting that issue. The cupping seems to occur on just one side of the tire. To look at the tread one side is dramatically more worn than the other. I know there have been other threads concering this issue.

I will be checking tire pressure as well along with most likey replacing the valves and springs. If I recall from the research i did when deciding what bike to buy there were some reviews of the bandit that gently bemoaned the soft front end.

The Big B

Red01 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2006, 04:30:05 PM »

Lemme guess - it's wearing more on the left side.
If so, that's normal in countries that drive on the right side of the road due to the crown in the roads. Obviously, in places where they drive on the left, the right side of the tire wear quicker.