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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Weight and distribution
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Message started by copterdoc on 01/24/16 at 18:27:02

Title: Weight and distribution
Post by copterdoc on 01/24/16 at 18:27:02

Ok, I have a ryca bike, one of the first kits produced. Going on about 5 years with it. Still a blast, I'm turning 50 this year, wrists feeling it after a couple of hours, but that is another story. Had it long enough to feel like I have pushed it to its limits.( And. beyond, almost)Don't get me wrong, I know it's not a sport bike but when maxed out it will outshine a bike and rider with less intestinal fortitude. 320 total weight, 155 front, 165 rear. The only weakness I will attest to is a sub-par front brake and something funky in the front end geometry that will slide the front end when pushed hard. ( Have a fork Brace) Ok, sorry for the long buildup, but is anyone in the same boat? What's next?

Title: Re: Weight and distribution
Post by Dave on 01/25/16 at 03:28:47

I think that I push my Cafe bike pretty hard occasionally. On the Dragon on the last visit I was braking hard enough to feel the bike getting a bit "wiggly" under very hard braking. I may not be pushing it as hard as you do in the corners....I still have about 1/4" of chicken strips on the edges of the tires (I like to keep just a bit of a safety margin in case there is something around the corner I don't know about). My engine has a 95mm Wiseco, Stage 1 cam, ported head, Mikuni VM carb, and a good exhaust system....it is noticeably faster than a stock bike.

So far I have only used Pirelli Sport Demon or Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires - which are the stickiest rubber I can find. I don't like the tire size that RYCA puts on the bikes - I feel the 100/90 front is too tall of a tire, and jamming a 130/70 rear tire on a 2.50 rim is wrong. My front tire is a 90/90-18 on a 2.15" wide rim, and on the rear I am currently using a 110/80-18 tire on the 2.50 rim......or a 130/70-18 tire on a 3.50" rim. When I wear out the current 110/80 tire I will be replacing it with a 120/80-18.....and I believe the 90/90 front and 120/80 rear is the "correct" size for the RYCA. I also have a fork brace. And.....I have ShawnRYCA's big brake kit on the front. The bike brake kit is a "must have" if you are going to be pushing the bike hard.

To make my seat more comfortable I had a local upholstery shop make me a new seat that has padding on the edges. I also modified the clip on bars to have an angle in them - so the bars have less of a downward angle and it is far easier on my wrists. (I bought steel tubing and cut them at an angle and welded them back together with a 4 degree angle).

Below is the discussion thread on the Cafe tire size. I would suggest you try a shorter profile front tire if you have an 18" front wheel - if you still have the stock 19" front tire your selection may be a bit limited (Avon Roadrider appears to be the only 90/90-19 available). If you have the 18" front rim try the Pirelli Sport Demons if you want the best grip, the BT45 if you want good grip and a bit better mileage...and the Avon RoadRider might also be a good choice.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1435340395

http://i62.tinypic.com/23h14c9.jpg

Title: Re: Weight and distribution
Post by Serowbot on 01/25/16 at 08:28:47

I think the light weight might have something to do with the front end wash...
Just too easy to catch air... :-?

You might try getting your body weight further forward.

Title: Re: Weight and distribution
Post by copterdoc on 01/26/16 at 03:53:07

Thanks guys. Just put my order in for the big brake kit.