08 zx10r, drifting... help : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

bcarlson86 · 04-28-2008, 08:24 AM

I've had my bike for like a week now and I've noticed that it drifts off to the right when I let go of the bars and when I do wheelies. I've tried different sitting positions as well as leaning off to the left side, and it still pulls right. I had it into the shop a few days after I got it for them to tighten the chain and adjust the suspension. He used some aligning tool to do the chain so I'm pretty sure the rear is alligned fine. All the suspension is adjusted correctly. Any idea's as to why it drifts to the right?

Vertigo117 · 04-28-2008, 09:30 AM

The only cause i know of that makes bikes drift like that is if it was dropped and the tripples/forks are bent or tweaked. You may be on to something with the suspension though get that checked out. Has it been dropped at all?

bcarlson86 · 04-28-2008, 12:49 PM

nope, the bike had 0 miles on it when i bought it and ive hardly let it outta sight so it hasnt been dropped

Vertigo117 · 04-28-2008, 01:41 PM

Thats odd. Yeah i'd have them check the suspension... even if its not the suspension, they can probably adjust the suspension so the drift goes away. Or get a new ZX10! it should still be under warentee

gammac · 04-28-2008, 04:17 PM

Check rear end alignment. Measure on both sides from swingarm pivot bolt to rear axle. Ig you can put a couple of bits of dowel through both it will make it a bit easier.

gammac

skip114 · 04-28-2008, 04:44 PM

sounds like the rear wheel is out of alignment

JimmyJam · 04-28-2008, 04:57 PM

On the 10r.net forum I did a thread where my 08 triple looked slightly turned to the right when going straight down the road. My 06 also came this way. I dismantled the entire front end, and re assembled it. My steering head bearings were very lose also and took the time to tourqe those to spec. You know the clunk you get when you stop at a stop sign with a big hand full of brake?

All is straight on mine now. Shouldnt have to go thru all this monkey motion, but I am very happy with my 08 now.

I have one of those swingarm pivot to rear axel alingment tools, but am not certain that is any more accurate. How do I know the swingarm pivot is machined properly? I don't, its a guess, I guess.

I need to replace some of my 8 foot flouresecent bulbs soon, so may give that method a try and verify the alignment tool.

JJ

madmax2295 · 04-29-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gammac

Check rear end alignment. Measure on both sides from swingarm pivot bolt to rear axle. Ig you can put a couple of bits of dowel through both it will make it a bit easier.

gammac

, also check if the tires are balanced

Spliffyaid · 04-29-2008, 01:47 PM

Wheel alignment
Weight distribution
at a guess

And stop wheeling, learn to go around corners FFS :)

madmax2295 · 04-29-2008, 05:53 PM

corners=fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun fun

wheelies=fun fun

bcarlson86 · 04-29-2008, 09:53 PM

well the rear alignment was off a bit and it seamed to help once they fixed that. it still pulls to the right a little though, and wheelies it still pulls right a lil but i'm thinking ill just learn to deal with it. in the corners you cant notice anything though. my chicken strips are almost gone too, only have like 1/2 inch on either side :)

R1HOOLIGAN · 04-30-2008, 02:05 AM

Maybe it's the curvature of the road. Roads are "crowned", not flat. Might not be able to notice it visually, but it slightly slopes to the right in your lane and that would cause the bike (more so than a car) to drift right. Just an old man's theory.....

bcarlson86 · 05-03-2008, 08:52 PM

I adjusted the rear alignment and it still drifts reguardless how the rear tire is set. I even went around a corner banked for a left corner and it pulled up the bank to the right. Any chance it could be from the weight of the exhaust hanging off the side?

madmax2295 · 05-04-2008, 08:09 PM

could very well be, try an aftermarket pipe on and see

KawieKrazy · 05-05-2008, 06:27 AM

Is your right nut bigger that your left nut?

Seriously, I doubt its your exhaust....I'd imagine if your rear is aligned its gotta be either the tires arent balanced, you have a bent rim, or a triple issue, sucks its a brand new bike

racerx · 05-05-2008, 10:35 AM

i have the same problem with mine it pulls to the right when i let it go i adjusted the back tire and it still does it im dealing with it though it could be the extra weight of the exhaust on that side

madmax2295 · 05-05-2008, 05:46 PM

2 bikes now, kawasucky is a let down

bcarlson86 · 05-05-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racerx

i have the same problem with mine it pulls to the right when i let it go i adjusted the back tire and it still does it im dealing with it though it could be the extra weight of the exhaust on that side

Yea, I too adjusted my back tire to fix it, but it kept doing it so I just put it back where it was and I'm dealing with it for now. I'm taking it in to the bike shop this Friday to see what they can think of.

vulture12 · 05-08-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcarlson86

nope, the bike had 0 miles on it when i bought it and ive hardly let it outta sight so it hasnt been dropped

You might want to seriously check out that problem. I spoke with the dealer here in Central Texas and they said that they had the same problem with two of thier ZX-10s right out of the box. I don't think that your bike is an isolated case.

DuckyZX10R · 05-08-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KawieKrazy

Is your right nut bigger that your left nut?

Ahhh, that explains why I have the same issue and my bike is an '07. I need to see a doctor and not a bike mechanic