Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Steering Light At Low Speed

2008 EFI -
Has anyone else found the steering very light at low speeds.
Do you remember the old Triumphs with the steering damper that you could adjust - I take it this just applied more pressure on the steering head bearings -.
Maybe its the width of the handle bars - a small amount of movement - the law of the lever and all that -.
My front tire pressure is at 30psi as per manual, maybe thats the problem, a lower pressure would allow more friction between tyre and road ?
It`s not a major problem, it`s just when I am doing about 5 m.p.h. and avoiding the kids toys etc on the pathway to my shed I have a tendency to over compensate.
Sláinte
Derek

Just keep practicing at low speeds. Get to know your bike's tendencies a bit more a various ranges of speeds.

No, the old steering dampener didn't apply pressure to the steering bearings. There was a small clutch assembly under the lower triple tree that provided resistance to the steering.

Hi Derek

I installed the rivco pull back risers, and they seem to make the front end feel a lot more "solid" with better feel, and made the riding position better for me.

http://www.newspeedmaster.com/html/rivco_handlebar_risers.html

I don't think it's "light steering", but rather the inherant steering geometry that comes with the rake angles. I never did like the way my BA steers at low speed.

I'd increase the front tire pressure to 36.. it might not help but it certainly won't hurt and it will wear better.

Never noticed anything particularly unusual. But if it does feel light at all I'd have to agree with Rich in that it is the rake of the bike making it feel that way.