SuzukiSavage.com - Floppy front end?

Gary_in_NJ

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Re: Floppy front end?
Reply #15 - 05/19/17 at 11:31:16

Fork dive and fork flex are two unrelated issues.

Fork dive (aka floppiness in this thread) is a result of a spring rate that does not match the bike and rider combined weight and damping that allows the fork to compress in an uncontrolled or undesirable manner.

Fork flex is a result of the fork stanchions twisting while under load during a turn. The savage forks are prone to this behavior due to the thin stanchions (37mm) used and the rake of the forks. A fork brace can significantly reduce the amount of fork flex. In extreme cases (which the Savage is susceptible) fork flex can lead to tire cupping.

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oldNslow

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Re: Floppy front end?
Reply #16 - 05/19/17 at 11:51:16

bobert_FSO wrote on 05/19/17 at 10:42:34:

I'm with Batman. I think the term "floppy" is not doesn't refer to the front end flexing, but rather the tendency of a bike with a large rake to have the front wheel fall or "flop" to the side at slow speeds. This requires the rider to more actively steer the bike at slow speeds.

I agree.

From the article:

"But under 10 mph those short, high-rise bars and the skinny 19-inch front wheel combine to make one of the floppiest front ends we've experienced."

The highlighted part of the quote is an exaggeration, but the savage front wheel does have a tendency to fall into a turn at extremely slow speeds. It isn't really much of an issue though, just something to be aware of. It's not a defect, or an engineering shortcoming either. It's just a function of the steering geometry, which is perfectly fine at normal riding speeds.

"

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jcstokes Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com is very useful Posts: 2119 Mauku New Zealand Gender:	Re: Floppy front end? Reply #17 - 05/19/17 at 13:22:29 Referring to Stewmills comment about "tar snakes" can you tell us what brand your tyres are?
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IslandRoad

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Re: Floppy front end?
Reply #18 - 05/19/17 at 17:43:49

oldNslow wrote on 05/19/17 at 11:51:16:

bobert_FSO wrote on 05/19/17 at 10:42:34:

I'm with Batman. I think the term "floppy" is not doesn't refer to the front end flexing, but rather the tendency of a bike with a large rake to have the front wheel fall or "flop" to the side at slow speeds. This requires the rider to more actively steer the bike at slow speeds.

I agree.

From the article:

"But under 10 mph those short, high-rise bars and the skinny 19-inch front wheel combine to make one of the floppiest front ends we've experienced."

The highlighted part of the quote is an exaggeration, but the savage front wheel does have a tendency to fall into a turn at extremely slow speeds. It isn't really much of an issue though, just something to be aware of. It's not a defect, or an engineering shortcoming either. It's just a function of the steering geometry, which is perfectly fine at normal riding speeds.

"

I also took it to mean 'falling into a corner' at slow speed. It was one of the first things I noticed when I started riding this bike. I found slightly wider handlebars made a huge difference; then lowering them a touch, basically eliminated it all together. I assume due to better leverage.

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S40, 2014, Dyna, Raptor, 52.5/152.5, spacer mod, sea level, cat-eye LED tail light, bullet style halogen turn signals, 'Superbars' with custom 40mm risers, modified stock seat, Metzeler tyres.

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