True-track for the new frames?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
My Limited which I've had for about 13 months now is my first rubber-mounted bike. I researched the new frame vs. old frame topic and decided to go with the new frame rather than buying a used pre-09 bike.
My initial impressions of the new bike were very good. I had never ridden a pre-09 so I really don't know the difference but I was completely happy with my '11. Santa Susana Pass, one of my favorite local roads is a good test and I was surprised that a 900 lb. bike could handle so well.
That was when the bike was new. Fast forward to today. The bike now has 18,000 miles on it. The rear tire is just about ready to be replaced. I have all kinds of miles on the bike. Interstates, surface streets, canyons, etc. I'm finding now that I know the bike better, it doesn't handle as well as my initial impressions. My biggest complaint now is high-speed sweeping turns, i.e., 75-90 mph sweeping interstate kind of turns, where the bike feels squirrelly, especially when you hit a little dip or bump while going through the turn. Not squirrelly enough to scare the **** out of me yet, but nevertheless, squirrellier than I'd like.
I know that some of that squirrelliness is caused by the tires with 18,000 miles on them but until I replace the tires I don't know exactly how much.
As soon as I replace the tires I'm going to go out and put the bike through its paces again and see what kind of improvement the tires make. Based on that assessment, I'm going to make a decision regarding the addition of a stabilizer.
If I decide to add a stabilizer, I will then be researching who makes the best stabilizer. TrueTrack is the only one I've researched so far.
My initial impressions of the new bike were very good. I had never ridden a pre-09 so I really don't know the difference but I was completely happy with my '11. Santa Susana Pass, one of my favorite local roads is a good test and I was surprised that a 900 lb. bike could handle so well.
That was when the bike was new. Fast forward to today. The bike now has 18,000 miles on it. The rear tire is just about ready to be replaced. I have all kinds of miles on the bike. Interstates, surface streets, canyons, etc. I'm finding now that I know the bike better, it doesn't handle as well as my initial impressions. My biggest complaint now is high-speed sweeping turns, i.e., 75-90 mph sweeping interstate kind of turns, where the bike feels squirrelly, especially when you hit a little dip or bump while going through the turn. Not squirrelly enough to scare the **** out of me yet, but nevertheless, squirrellier than I'd like.
I know that some of that squirrelliness is caused by the tires with 18,000 miles on them but until I replace the tires I don't know exactly how much.
As soon as I replace the tires I'm going to go out and put the bike through its paces again and see what kind of improvement the tires make. Based on that assessment, I'm going to make a decision regarding the addition of a stabilizer.
If I decide to add a stabilizer, I will then be researching who makes the best stabilizer. TrueTrack is the only one I've researched so far.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 344
Likes: 4
From: Kailua, Hawaii
Just ordered my true-track, its the only one ive found for the 09 and up tourings. Its probably the only brand I would want to purchase anyway, ill post how it rides after I install it.
Jay
Jay
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 8
From: Detroit, the asshole of America
I'm in the same boat. 9k on my bike, tires have plenty of tread left but the rear of the bike feels a little loose over certain bumps, tar strips, etc. It's more noticeable in the rain, but it happens in the dry too. I'll see what a new rear tire does next year, if it doesn't fix it I'll try a brace.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
My Limited which I've had for about 13 months now is my first rubber-mounted bike. I researched the new frame vs. old frame topic and decided to go with the new frame rather than buying a used pre-09 bike.
My initial impressions of the new bike were very good. I had never ridden a pre-09 so I really don't know the difference but I was completely happy with my '11. Santa Susana Pass, one of my favorite local roads is a good test and I was surprised that a 900 lb. bike could handle so well.
That was when the bike was new. Fast forward to today. The bike now has 18,000 miles on it. The rear tire is just about ready to be replaced. I have all kinds of miles on the bike. Interstates, surface streets, canyons, etc. I'm finding now that I know the bike better, it doesn't handle as well as my initial impressions. My biggest complaint now is high-speed sweeping turns, i.e., 75-90 mph sweeping interstate kind of turns, where the bike feels squirrelly, especially when you hit a little dip or bump while going through the turn. Not squirrelly enough to scare the **** out of me yet, but nevertheless, squirrellier than I'd like.
I know that some of that squirrelliness is caused by the tires with 18,000 miles on them but until I replace the tires I don't know exactly how much.
As soon as I replace the tires I'm going to go out and put the bike through its paces again and see what kind of improvement the tires make. Based on that assessment, I'm going to make a decision regarding the addition of a stabilizer.
If I decide to add a stabilizer, I will then be researching who makes the best stabilizer. TrueTrack is the only one I've researched so far.
My initial impressions of the new bike were very good. I had never ridden a pre-09 so I really don't know the difference but I was completely happy with my '11. Santa Susana Pass, one of my favorite local roads is a good test and I was surprised that a 900 lb. bike could handle so well.
That was when the bike was new. Fast forward to today. The bike now has 18,000 miles on it. The rear tire is just about ready to be replaced. I have all kinds of miles on the bike. Interstates, surface streets, canyons, etc. I'm finding now that I know the bike better, it doesn't handle as well as my initial impressions. My biggest complaint now is high-speed sweeping turns, i.e., 75-90 mph sweeping interstate kind of turns, where the bike feels squirrelly, especially when you hit a little dip or bump while going through the turn. Not squirrelly enough to scare the **** out of me yet, but nevertheless, squirrellier than I'd like.
I know that some of that squirrelliness is caused by the tires with 18,000 miles on them but until I replace the tires I don't know exactly how much.
As soon as I replace the tires I'm going to go out and put the bike through its paces again and see what kind of improvement the tires make. Based on that assessment, I'm going to make a decision regarding the addition of a stabilizer.
If I decide to add a stabilizer, I will then be researching who makes the best stabilizer. TrueTrack is the only one I've researched so far.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
grbrown, better all around performance would be great I think im gonna give it a try.
toby34, my bike is lowered 1" all around but it didnt handle all that great when it was stock. Still have the stock 16" rear and 18" front wheels and tires. Im hoping the true track is gonna help the handling out a bunch.
Jay
toby34, my bike is lowered 1" all around but it didnt handle all that great when it was stock. Still have the stock 16" rear and 18" front wheels and tires. Im hoping the true track is gonna help the handling out a bunch.
Jay
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 767
Likes: 54
From: San Antonio, TX
Well if I understand this correctly, the new frames are really no better than the old frames. Both have issues and both can be corrected... Kinda like having one woman and seeing another, you finally trade up and find out she has issues too!! Think I'll keep my old gal, at least I have her issues cured...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Well if I understand this correctly, the new frames are really no better than the old frames. Both have issues and both can be corrected... Kinda like having one woman and seeing another, you finally trade up and find out she has issues too!! Think I'll keep my old gal, at least I have her issues cured...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
I know we're talking 09+ bikes. But perhaps part of this equation... I have an 04 RK with a Progressive Touring Link (stabilizer). It works well for damping the 'rear steer' in long, high-speed sweepers. I noted that once the back tire gets squared-off and it's nearly time to replace it, the tendency to 'rear steer' comes back. Replaced the rear tire, and all was good again. My guess was the change in the geometry of the rear end, with the 'flat' tire, made the problem worse. Can only guess at what it would have been like without the stabilizer, with a 'flat' rear.
Alan
Alan
Supporter
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,189
Likes: 16
From: N.E. Wisconsin
I don't do high speed sweepers any more, and when I did and hit a bump in the middle of the turn I kinda figured out it was physic's telling me to cool it a little. All those adrenaline rushes you get when your younger take it's wear an tear out on your body latter on and turn you into a chicken ****.........to live to ride another day.