SuzukiSavage.com /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1358211898 Message started by strang on 01/14/13 at 17:04:58

Title: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by strang on 01/14/13 at 17:04:58 Really loving my savage and making slow improvements along the way - getting to a point where I'm happy except for a handling issue: Basically when you change down from 3rd to 2nd gear I really hate this little "shimmy" that the back wheel does. Feels almost like it loses a bit of air suddenly and does a little wobble. Normally I'll do this change down when going around corners and this only makes the heart in mouth feeling worse. It was wet and icy tonight in London and throw in the back wheel "shimmy" and I got quite a fright at one point. What's the reason/solution for this? Is it the smaller wheel - will going with a bigger back wheel sort it? Will lowering the front shocks to give it a more standard bike geometry help? (is this standard bike geometry generally considered more stable?) Do longer rear shocks help? Basically is it the Suzuki chasing the Harley vibe geometry that's at fault? ps. tyres are pumped up, and using clutch and changing smoothly.

Title: Re: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by diamond jim on 01/14/13 at 18:30:59 Never had that problem with mine. Generally you'll want to see the curve, shift into the proper gear, allowing the engine and tranny a chance to synchronize, maintain that speed thru the first half of the turn. Then, upon reaching the apex of the turn, accelerate out of the turn. If you are having to make shift changes after entering the turn but prior to the apex then either you've entered too fast, too slow or somehow misjudged to the point that your trying to make a correction at the wrong spot in the curve.  Now, being that it is a single and is an overall light weight bike will amplify the same things that would happen on a heavier, multicylinder engine. It's just that those other bikes absorb the feeling more. Errors, if that is what it is, is sometimes more forgiving on your bike compared to others and vice versa. Come on over to our side of the pond and spend a weekend at the Dragon. I'm certain a day or two there will work out any curve judging/entry speed/shifting/engine-tranny synchronization issues.  Either that or you won't have a rideable bike anymore.

Title: Re: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by WD on 01/14/13 at 19:20:19 Swap the shocks with VS800 units. End of problem, the stock ones are crap, the 800 is heavier, a good bit taller, the shocks will put more loading on the front end. It will take some getting used to but once you do, you'll be cussing Suzuki like all the rest of us who put on taller shocks do. Same works in reverse, a VS800 handles better with Savage shocks (and looks better). Go figure... :-?

Title: Re: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by arteacher on 01/14/13 at 22:05:55 Down shifting in a curve at speed is not recommended at all. Taking power off the rear wheel and putting it back on is the cause of your shimmy. Our bike has enough torque to pull you out of the curve even at low revs in a higher gear. That's why they beet the snot out of Hurleys at the Dragon.

Title: Re: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by thumperclone on 01/14/13 at 23:41:47 had that same issue till i cranked up the stiffness one notch

Title: Re: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by strang on 01/15/13 at 04:45:39 It was late when I wrote this and I didn't really mean I change gear in the curve - I change well before, but I'm thinking about the turn and watching traffic and if it does this little shimmy at this point it really gets on my tits. Also notice the issue when I change down for upcoming speed humps (they're everywhere in this town!) Will try adjusting the shocks today and if that does fix it I'll go for longer shocks. Other good cheap recommendations for substitute shocks?

Title: Re: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by diamond jim on 01/15/13 at 06:41:06 I was thinking about what WD posted about how the stock rear shocks can cause loading on the front end. My bike was stock for maybe a week. I do seem to remember an uneasy feeling of the front forks diving under medium to heavy breaking and maybe a tad when re-engaging the drivetrain after a downshift. I'm a big guy and it made me feel like I could almost flip over the handlebars if I braked too hard.  Maybe this is something similar or related to your experience. For me my problem was solved with 3 changes. The first was installing fork extenders. Second was changing fork oil. Third was installing 6" risers. These 3 mods, at least for me, completely changed and significantly improved overall bike handling.

Title: Re: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by rat907 on 01/15/13 at 06:46:57 I only had questionable wheel action when I shift into a lower gear when rpms are too high. 5 speed transmission and all, its still wide ratio and the rpms have to match the road speed for the gear or excitement happens.

Title: Re: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by WD on 01/15/13 at 07:51:38 My post may have been a bit unclear... the Savage front end is so light that the stock rear shocks are stressed way passed their limitations. Taller shocks help correct the funky weight bias. The donor 800 that I traded shocks with had an immediate improvement in handling with the rear end lowered. Intruders are front heavy, shorter rear shocks on them corrects their weight bias. And gets rid of the goofy dirt bike rear fender gap... Perfect fix? No, but it works and is a whole lot cheaper than new rim, spokes, liner, tube and tire. And try a 130 rear tire, they aren't as "squirmy" as a 140.

Title: Re: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/15/13 at 07:52:48 Are you matching RPM well enough? Is it possible that shimmy is a little bit of rear tire sliding? Dang things dont take a lot before theyre being dragged down the road instead of rolling. You know how little rear brake is required to make one start to slide a little.

Title: Re: My big issue with Savage handling - solutions? Post by MileHiRider on 01/15/13 at 12:57:35 I'll have to say I've never had this problem with any of my bikes. If I did I would look at rear-wheel/ rear suspension problems first. You didn't state how many miles are on your bike, but I'll assume it's a few years old. Check the spokes to see if they're tight. Remove the rear wheel and check the swing-arm for play, for this you'll need some help, someone to hold the bike while you tug on the swing-arm side-to-side to ensure there's no play in the bearings. Next check the rear pulley for wear, remove it and check the rubber dampers. Then check or replace the wheel bearings and seals. I would think this should eliminate the shimmy or wobble problem.

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