[flyingriki]

I've put 10,000 miles on my D model over a few years and, as much as I love the bike, am still disappointed about how high the CG is. Seems very little lean and you've got a full fledged lay-down on your hands. Particularly scary with a passenger.
What have people done to lower this and get make it more manageable?
Thanks!

 

[Masta Squidge]

I suggest you learn to ride it properly.

 

[flyingriki]

I suggest you learn to ride it properly.

I suggest you keep your snide remarks to yourself. Am looking for technical information or useful advice and this is neither. I've probably been riding longer than you have been alive so unless you have something worthwhile to contribute find something else to do with your fingers. If you are a "senior member" here this is a waste of time.

 

[Masta Squidge]

Ok then.

I suggest you take the tank off and put it under the motor, then take the fairings off.

Or, you could learn how to ride it.

because this guy disagrees with you on the point of "leaning it a little" causes you to experience a "full fledged lay-down".

I hope for your passenger's sake that you are exaggerating.

Or maybe you aren't and you have really crappy tires? Idk.

And 10k over a few years? Ive got over 11k last summer alone since we are dick waving.

 

[flyingriki]

Ok then.

I suggest you take the tank off and put it under the motor, then take the fairings off.

Or, you could learn how to ride it.

How about you just clam up and go insult somebody else.

 

[Masta Squidge]

Read the edit(s).

Either you are vastly exaggerating your problem, or there is something wrong that you can change.

 

[Blainethemono]

I have my tires scrubbed edge to edge on my ZX11 and I have put over 20k on her over that last 3 years and have never experienced what you are experiencing.

I have to agree with Squidge...Either your tires are shit, suspension is shot or the rear axle concentric is turned to the top...

 

[Masta Squidge]

I'm just a bit more abrasive than most people's delicate sensibilities can handle.

 

[covett03]

Standing still the bike is stable with 50/50 weight distribution through the tires. On corners the bike NEEDS 40/60 weight distribution to be stable through the turns. You move it in the turns with the throttl thought good throttle control. So once you throttle on you must roll through the throttle through the entire turn. If you roll off the bike becomes unstable, feels unstable, and the fore feels heavy. Rolling off the throttle is giving you this feeling more than likely. I can't see really much else since not many other riders at the track have this complaint. Not saying you are rolling off but next corner you do pay attention to your throttle. If you slightly roll off it makes the bike unstable as they are designed to have 40/60 weight ratio on the tire in corners to be efficient. " once the throttle is cracked open. It is rolled on evenly, smoothly, and continuously throughout the remainder on the turn" if you follow that simple rule it makes the bike feel 100% more stable and corners start to become smoother and faster. If you don't think it's you. Well maybe start throwing carbon fiber parts at it and go from there. Someone on here knows a guy that makes carbon tanks. Get a lithium ion batt as they are around 1.5 pounds. Carbon air box. Take off mirrors. Take out secondary plates. Titanium valves. Titanium screws and frame... List can go on with endless money. Is you bike lowered? If it is it feels a lot heavier to pull it into corners and ull have to counter steer more to get it to lay into them. On turn the "pick up" of the bike coming off the apex will feel harder as well. Suspension set up right as well?

 

[covett03]

Also milage don't mean anything. There's been guys riding for 20+ years that go to CSS (California superbike school) and learn what they have been doing wrong for 20+ years. Go to it and you will come out better and faster and more confident. Or read twist of the wrist II is a good start. Prob answer other questions or clear some things up.

 

[flyingriki]

It would appear I didn't explain thoroughly enough for better answers. I mean STANDING STILL. If you are going to tell me that a D model ZX-11 is completely stable you can't have ridden many other bikes. It's scary to push around since a little lean away from you and over it goes. Nothing can stop it. It's happened to me 3 different ways, once pushing on a slight angle, once sitting on it and foot slipped on gravel on a slight angle and once on a wood surface that was wet and again the foot slipped a bit. I've had a lot of other bikes and none of them were ever this high centered and tippy, nor have I ever dropped another bike standing still, ever. I've had many a friend comment on this one also.

So - my question is for knowledgeable advice on how to improve this by possibly lowering it or different size wheels or....? And smart a** replies are not encouraged.
Thanks.

 

[Blainethemono]

Dude, it has a SIX GALLON GAS TANK!!! You know how much 6 gallons of gas weighs?

Ive accidentally dropped mine at a stand still. Same thing as you, foot hit some gravel/grease/oil and over she went. 515 pounds DRY can do that.... Every ZX11 rider here, except Squidge of course, :crackup has probably done the same thing. Buy some frame sliders like I did.

The bike isnt meant to be STANDING STILL.

Smaller wheels wont do it either, because its been proven that 16s are TOO SMALL and QUIRKY.

So I would suggest you be carefull with a handful of bike when at a stand still, or buy a different bike...

The ZX11 is NOT a "true" crotch rocket" per se due to its weight and size. It was meant to be a comfortable, long range bomber, that can hold its own in the twisties when it has to.

Want to lower it a bit, cut about an inch off the rear spring, and raise the forks in the tubes the same amount. That ought to also screw up the handling real good as well...

 

[covett03]

If you cut the spring it will change spring rate. Yea didn't know u ment while I were sitting on it standing still. It is a big big gas tank that's for sure. Maybe there's gas tanks that's the 4.5 gal tanks. That will cut out some weight for ya. 1.5 gal of gas weighs quite a bit for sure. Are ya on ur tippy toes on the bike

 

[Masta Squidge]

Ive owned and ridden bikes over 500 lbs. It wasn't any great surprise to find yourself suddenly at a loss for footing, yet so many people manage to keep them upright just fine.

Its perfectly easy to drop much lighter bikes at standstill just by losing your footing, and the 7 isnt exactly a lightweight either.

I just avoid that stuff at all cost. I will have my GF walk a bit to something solid rather than have her try and get on when i am on unsure ground. I have only knocked one bike over that I didn't catch - my 7. And it caught the seat on a chair and didn't go all the way over... I was pushing it backwards and then leaned it to the left out of habit. Except that was the right side of the bike; no kickstand xD


EDIT: For missing words.

 

[Blainethemono]

But if you want to lower it the right way.


Try these guys.


http://www.soupysperformance.com/catalog/item/4408900/8072885.htm

 

[thegavel]

I've pushed mine (nearly) a mile on the dirt shoulder of a road.
One of the hardest/scariest things I've had to do.
I also put my back "out" saving this bike,
my foot slipped (pushing it into garage) and she tipped - OUCH!!!!
Many years ago my Z650 died at 2:00am(in the rain) on a back road,
pushed it for a couple miles -
push- then jump on side saddle then push with foot.
I couldn't/wouldn't do that on the '11.

 

[Blainethemono]

I had an episode in my garage one day when I was changing the front tire. Had her jacked up a bit to high to a point where the center stand was off the ground. She got slightly lopsided - and over she started going. I caught her by the rear grab bar and held on for dear life. Nobody around to hear my cries for help and that beautiful red tank just inches from the metal corner of my solvent tank. After about 30 seconds of screaming O-MY-F'ING-GAWD over and over again in my mind, I reached down to the bottom of my testicles and lifted that bastard back up right.....

I just couldnt handle scratching that tank. :rolleyes

Ever since then, I have been VERY carefull about where my baby comes to rest at. Gravel especially!!!

 

[MagicNinja85]

I suggest you learn to ride it properly.

i second this, and also youre always gonna feel a little less comfortable with another person sitting on the back. Ill do 100mph in a 30mph curve, but with wifey on the back.... youre lucky if i hit 30mph.

 

[dragoninink]

You know, I understand that newbies can get a little off guard by the comments given, but pretty much every post I've seen has true merit.

I can ride up to traffic lights and stop without putting a foot down, if they change quick enough I have no need to put a foot down. This is one of the most stable bikes I've ridden and honestly to say that you've been riding longer than I've been alive would well let me tell you I've seen rider twice my age who can't ride for shit.

I'm not one to bad mouth people but this site lays it out there raw. These guys know what they are talking about and most have laid more rubber on the road and track than a lot of people. Have a huge knowledge you can tap.

Dry the tears enjoy the BS and you'll get answers for everything and anything you could think of.

 

[pvc_zx11]

After about 30 seconds of screaming O-MY-F'ING-GAWD over and over again in my mind, I reached down to the bottom of my testicles and lifted that bastard back up right.....

Blaine- I was dying when I read that :crackup


But seriously... I think we all get a little lazy when moving it around by hand and don't pay as much attention as we should, cause it really is a heavy ass bike.

flyingriki - When I move mine around by hand (especially when the wife blocks the driveway or gets all sort of shit in front of it in the garage), I say to myself. Self- Replacement plastics are going to be impossible to find and expensive to fix. So do it slow and pay attention.