LowRyter

My bike mostly weaves when loaded with the big HB bags and I am approaching 100mph or encounter the wake of semi. Apparently, I am the only one here with big touring bags on a red frame but I am all ear if anyone has some relevant experience to improve this. I believe my sag is set close. In fact, I just doubled checked it yesterday with my mechanic when I ordered stock-sized tries. The mechanic is an Ohlins trained guy. It was certainly was cursory, I sat in the bike and he eyeballed. The red frames have a reputation to weave / shake. They handle quickly, have aggressive geometry, and probably give up some stability. On the other hand, it's best handing motorcycle I've owned and is great in the twisties.

Why would I be better off not to use the stock size? I've had 4 different rear tires of the stock size, they seem to wear out fast but the bike handles really well in the twisties.

GM/JRD- I am running the big HB hard bags. Certainly the weight isn't equal to a passenger but quite a bit of aero drag. They do sit behind the rear axle (see photo). I get it bad in the wake of a semi. Of course I am talking interstate speeds at an indicated 95-100. Yeah, it weaves, not quite a shake. Much more stable w/o the bags. The red frames have a reputation to weave / shake. They handle quickly, have aggressive geometry, and probably give up some stability. I am all ears to hear if there is a fix other than taking off those big fat 40L HBs. But I suppose I am the only one here that runs those bags on a red frame?

staying with standard 170 size. That's why I have to order the tire and won't get it until Thursday.

I was searching out a tire thread. Found this one. My tires are shot, Mich PR3 front and Pirelli Angel GT rear. Can't complain about the mileage (I did Springfield Il, COTA Austin, and Ozarks on the rear and all that plus Spine frame raid on the front). Anyway, I am riding to Moto GP COTA Austin again and want new tires before I go. The Pirellis and Michelins are really high $$. I can get a deal on Shinkos and Continentals but I can get Dunlop Roadsmarts for 38% off which gets them in Shiko/Conti $$ range. So I've ordered the Dunlops. Hope to get them on Thursday.

The factory filter is $25 from Harpers. See my earlier post.

GM, when I say 85+, of course I mean 95-100 mph on the speedo. The bags make a big difference. I can sometimes get some weave without the bags, on occasions accompanied by wind or semi. What bags does your wife have on her bike? I've got the largest HB. BTW- my EV will give a little shake when it's loaded up with bags and camping gear on the luggage rack.

Guest bike? count me in. I am planning a trip to the west coast. San Diego to Vancouver.

Harper's has fuel pumps for $120. Search the board and you can find the fuel filter at Napa for $20. Or get the whole mess from Harpers. http://www.harpermoto.com/fuel-pump.html http://www.harpermoto.com/fuel-filter-a.html

so far as rear weight goes, I can tell you, if you have a Red Frame bike, it will weave/wobble with the HB luggage packed when you're doing 80+. Especially when you get behind and 18 wheeler. It's a sad deal, when you are loaded up and can't keep with an Electra Glide that's nailed it on an interstate.

Docc- I made he mistake of getting the blue stuff for my EV (5 speed). It's way too light. I drained it and saved it. Are you saying it;s the right weight for the Sport? I just discovered the issue with the EV was the shift linkage, glad to have that one fixed. (OK, I could check the Owner's Manual but it's much easier just to ask you. )

I used a big O Ring from a Caterpillar tractor on my Bandit, until I changed out the bars and grips and didn't fit.

I've not traveled southern PCH. But have done the section from Big Sur to Legget. Didn't have a bike but rented a Mini Cooper S.

good luck Roy. But tell ya what, I looked at buying one in Atlanta. The bike was an art piece in mansion next to a huge grand piano. Didn't say whether the owner rode bikes or played piano. Anyway, the bike had been largely kept as indoor sculpture for most if its life. So, rather than sell it, just call it art. Although, what I don't understand is that you haven't ridden it. I mean the spineys are the best riding bikes you can find.

Here's the factory bag. You have to attach the mount which screws into the back tank bolt and the front straps ties over the steering head. The bag zips on to it so you can put gas in it. It fits well. It rubs the back of the tank and the map pocket is small and oddly shaped. It opens "backwards" . Some day I'll put a tank protector on it. Works well and fits. Now the saddle bags work great EXCEPT when you travel over 85 and then the bike really gets twitchy and starts a to weave. Especially when passing semis. It's probably a red frame deal.

once you've sorted the common maintenance (plugs, wires, etc) and the problem persists, I'd recommend a tuner garage, perhaps one with a dyno to tune up the PC , or first you might take the Power Commander off it first after you do the maintenance checks. With a PC on there it sounds like there was rideability issues that were attempted to be addressed or caused by the PC.

My bike was modified with a Power Commander when I got it, so I don't know if the stock bikes have a hesitation as described. If the stock tune is a problem (or if your bikes has been modded), then a reflash and/or PC might be the issue. Also, TPS can cause some rideability issues as well.

My EV runs hotter on the left cylinder. Even after the TBs are sync'd and balanced. It just does. I think my Sport keep an even temp.

I wonder what you fixed?

didn't someone find some red NGK replacement sets for just a few dollars on ebay? You might do a search on the board.

if you're saying the oil light came on AFTER you changed the oil, then it must have something to do with your oil change. I had a similar thing happen on my EV when the the pan gasket was installed upside on the spacer (the V11 doesn't have a spacer but you might check the gasket). The other things might be to check for obstructions and to replace the filter. What filter did you get? It might be incorrect or defective. Now if the light was on before you changed the oil, then you likely have a problem with the oiling system.

Jaap- I saw Rush a few years ago. My younger brother is a huge fan. Anyway, quite a show, Getty's "amplifiers and speakers" weren't amps at all, they were working chicken rotisseries. I've seen vids where he had washers cleaning Tshirts as well.

awesome. Funny thing....two folks I've seen live are J Beck (on several occasions) and Bill Murray (attended Letterman show last Oct). I want to see Jeff (+ZZ Top) again in May at Thackerville Casino but it's already sold out. Guzzi John from Springfiel Mz wants to go to.....no tickets. here's another Beck vid

current favs I've been listening: Tedeschi Trucks Band Ben Harper Leon Russell JJ Cale Miles Davis Jeff Beck Robert Plant The Quintet Spirit Mark Knoffler Hot Tuna Keith Jarrett The Rolling Stones (I just got my old turntable running so have been playing some old LPs. I'd like to get them on a thumb drive if I can ever figure out Audessy)

good job Roy. Roy's given me some good advice too. Foto Guzzi steered you right about you right about the TPSs. There is little difference between the two units. I have a Harley TPS on my California (actually, I need to replace it) and a Guzzi TPS on my Sport.