Been out today and What a transformation 4 rings on the inside. Much better drops in nice now, and I can hold a much tighter line with ease. I rode 70 miles today on dry roads and took the time to set up the suspension stopped 5 times and adjusted things she is pretty good now. Tyre pressure 36/32. I just love this bike.:smile:
Bit extreme to start with, I think dropping/lifting the forks will be my first option. Having done this before on my 748 my Tuono and RSV R it seems to have worked for me.
Grandad, this is the factory spec. Measured from the machined top face of the lower yolk where the fork tube clamps, 244mm to the top of the fork tube.
Already have the measurements thanks. They are listed in the Haynes Manual. But thanks for taking an interest. I have the bike working well now to my satisfaction. The 4 rings showing on the inside is good. Out of interest I should measure and see how it compares. Regards Ken.
hmmm....i just went out into the garage and lifted Bella's petticoats for a quick look..she's got 4 on the outside and 3 inside..reckon i'll swap that to 5 and 4 when she's back on the road....int'restin'.
Ive got 6 rings showing. I basically wasnt happy with how slow it turned in compared to my R1. Im running "Performance Bikes" magazine settings on my R1 so that was my first port of call on the 996 as they test their bikes on my local roads. After changing to their settings the 996 certainly improved no end. Im still not 100% happy as its not as quick turning still as the R1, so I might try changing the steering head rack angle like PB suggest next. If you google 996 Performance Bikes Settings the link was the first up.
How does it feel in slow tight corners, I am not talking track /race circuit slow corners I am talking your tight slow turn on the open roads.? Interesting. I will have a look at there threads Thanks for the post regards ken.
Feels fine to me, although it still doesnt drop in quite as quick as id like - but its certainly acceptable for me and miles better than the OEM out of the box settings. Theres a few very tight bends on my regular ride out, borderline 1st gear even, and once dropped in it rides smoothly around them. Dropping the front end has improved the turn in, without making it nervous. Im not sure if i can get the bike to be as flick-able as I am used to, as the 996 weighs a lot more than my R1, but certainly after playing with the settings its made it a much nicer bike to ride and come the sunny weather again, if i have some spare time i will play some more with the settings and see if i can improve things even more. Im 14 stone, so that may or may not be comparable to other peoples weight.
We are in the same place your findings are like my own, Time and dry usable roads has put a stop to anymore progression but I have got the bike much better than standard dropping to 5 and 4 on the inside. Also 14 stone fully kitted. Looking forward to the spring and plenty of more play time. Regards ken.
Yep I think thats the end of play time for this year. I went out last weekend for 30 minutes and that was enough. I got home and my "chicken strips" on the back tyre which are normally right on the edge were about 2 inches from the edge each side. Not only that the back tyre was covered in white salt & dust from the road. Whilst feeling the rumbling v-twin blew some cobwebs away, my frozen hand and the niggling doubt with the wet roads put paid to any corner enjoyments. We`ll have to compare notes again come the spring and see what settings we are finding work best for us! Cheers.
im certainly gonna be having a play with the settings come the spring..first of all, she'll be going to Nelly for a bit of slap and tickle and to get the rear shock refurbed (the spring has got chipped paint now, thanks to me having to cut down the hugger since fitting the Racetecs)... The 916 series will never be flickable like the later bikes....it never was back in the day either..it's always required a bit of body english., which is part of the fun of course)...climbing all over the thing makes you feel good...even if its only a 1st gear corner. Thanks for posting the link btw
