Handling Improvements

I have had my CB500 for about 4 months now and I am fully proficient riding it and it performed well on the motorway and dual carriage ways on the previous job location commute i had to do. However, I now have to do an single lane A road to and from work which has a lot of bends and twists and yes I realise its nothing like my fireblade round the corners but I want to have a bit more confidence in the bike in the bends and be able to take them at a high speed without it bouncing round the bends and my having to hero it round others.
I have the rear suspension set up for relatively high speeds, and the BT45's are in good condition.
I have already considered BT090's for better grip when I have to replace the current tyres but I don't think this is enough. I have also considered buying a handle bar brace to try and stiffen the front up a bit.
I am also considering replacing the front fork oil.
Do people have any further suggestions to improve handling and what fork oil to upgrade to?

Hi there, it will indeed be nothing like your 'blade round the bends! Imo on bendy (B) roads it'll be better at sensible(ish) speeds. I've had cbr's and currently an sv650, it's better balanced than them on small roads and more entertaining too.
As to A roads, if you're pushing it, stick to the blade.

As to upgrades - the racers just put on steel hoses, Hagons, progressive springs with heavier oil and that's it.

Btw, I commuted almost 40k on a cbr6, soon learned to keep to the available brainpower of the other roadusers.

My 2 cents.
The road is no place to race or to go on race mentality mode.
Enbrace the "lack" of sporty attitude of the cb5 as a safty measure of you towards the road.

Keep it cool, keep it safe, and even than, you will have to trust your luck.
Leave the racing for trackdays...

If you want better, you have it already. The CBR.

Some things are what they are...live with in (i say this on a positive mind set).

Cheers

I noticed the most significant handling improvements after I changed the fork oil with slightly stiffer 15w Putoline synthetic oil. Also seeing the benefits of the braided front hose but the effects of new fork oil was massive. 

I locked up the rear tire this morning on the way to work, didn't see a van turning left across the bus lane i was riding in. Absolutely bricked it - worst feeling ever, and a very narrow near miss. Was sure it was going to end badly, could even see smoke coming off the tire when i looked in the mirrors. I was genuinely considering bailing off the bike. I went back to have a look at the skid mark on way home and it was the full length between two lamp posts. The CB fishtailed a little bit but held a good line considering. Seems like the CB is very well balanced generally. However, had I not made the handling improvements mentioned about I doubt I would have been so lucky.

So I say change the fork oil - number one!

geewhizz wrote:So I say change the fork oil - number one!

Agree on that one. While you're at it, check the bushings - they're supposed to have a dark grey nonstick-surface. Worn bushings will cause loss of precision and 'feel'.

New vs. worn-out:


Also, check swingarm bearings. My CB has worn bearings, and this - ever so small - tolerance causes the bike to produce an unnerving sideways shift when cornering.

myToDoList += taskSwingarmBearingExchange

Another thing to check is any play in the head stock bearings.
Bike on centre stand and get someone to push the back down, sit straddling the front wheel and grab it either side; see if you can rock the forks at all.

thanks for the replies peeps :-) heavier fork oil it will be, hopefully that will stiffen the front end up and although for a bit more speed through the bends.

And glad to hear that you're all in one piece geewizz:cheers:

Frasblade wrote:And glad to hear that you're all in one piece geewizz:cheers:

 Yes, seconded!!!

thanks guys, its was a valuable experience to be honest.  

if you do put new fork oil in let us know if it sorts the problem. G

well I have bought new 15w fork oil, gonna swap it at weekend so hopefully should be able to report back any improvements

This might seem odd, but I've found this to be a good investment:

My seat was 'loose', somehow pivoting on the locking mechanism. Remains of some foam cushioning on the frame gave me this idea:







Foam padding and felt on the tank stops the seat wiggling about, kills squeaking noise and makes for better 'contact'. Very subjective - but it works for me.

Well the new 15W fork oil is in and it seems to have improved the handling in the bends a bit, not hugely, but enough. I think once I require a new set of tyres and upgrade to BT090's they should make even bigger difference, but plenty of life in the BT045's still so will stick with them til they need replacing