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Post by TuBa on Oct 9, 2007 7:02:48 GMT -5
???
Hello all,
I am a new owner of a NTV 650 and I have a small question:
- it seams to me that the bike corners to left a bit harder than when it corners to Right (on lower speeds). Is this a real problem? Or is it because of the swing arm located on the left side...
I have never rider an bike with swing arm and shaft transmission
Thank you!
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Post by everydaybiker on Oct 9, 2007 7:12:23 GMT -5
As far as I am aware the balance of the bike should be neutral so turning in to left or right should feel pretty much the same. Are there any other factors to think about? For example seating position, cable routing etc.
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Post by TuBa on Oct 9, 2007 7:19:51 GMT -5
thank you for your input.
honestly I have no ideea, maybe I'm not experienced enough...
I only wanted to know if someone felt this ever on the bike, or my bike is bad or was crashed before
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Post by Jake on Oct 9, 2007 7:48:41 GMT -5
Hi TuBa, As Derek says, steering should be neutral…. check manual below: www.hawkworks.net/manual/12.html#12-2-troubleshootingHard Steering • Steering bearing adjustment nut too tight • Faulty steering stem bearings • Insufficient air in front tire Steers to One Side or Does Not Track Straight • Bent fork legs • Bent front axle, wheel installed incorrectly • Unequal oil quantity in each fork tube Jake. |
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Post by derbyshirebill on Oct 9, 2007 8:09:43 GMT -5
Hi TuBa, As has been said- the bike should feel the same when turning either way. NTV's have good low speed handling. As an initial check I suggest you put the bike on the centre stand. Then get down in front of the bike and look along the edge on each side of the front tyre in turn and position it so that the same width of rear tyre appears on either side (the back tyre being wider than the front). Then, being careful not to disturb the front wheel, back off a few yards and sight (again from the front) along the edges of the rear tyre on either side (not easy looking past the centre stand I admit). When doing this the view of the position of the front tyre should be a mirror image on each side. If it does not look even, you may have a problem. In that case you may be lucky if all that is wrong is that someone has put the front forks in the yokes a bit skewed. I suggest you ease off the yoke clamps and mudguard bolts, wriggle the forks about to settle them, check that the fork tops protrude evenly over the top yoke, then progressively tighten everything up again. If that don't cure it you've got nasties  Cheers, Bill |
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Post by steadythebuffs on Oct 9, 2007 8:13:14 GMT -5
left or right-handed? which is your strong eye? one leg/arm shorter than the other?
Not a joke - your body, and how you sit on the bike will really make a difference.
Look at bikers around you on a long run - plenty will be shifted to one side or another, dipping a shoulder, head thingyed, or parked on one buttock.
That will change the feel of left and right turns.
My bike dips into lefts more, they seem easier; rights always seem a little more awkward. My left eye is weaker, my right leg is shorter, I default to sitting on my left buttock.
Stick the bike on the centrestand in front of a big window (or get someone to take a photo), hop on and assume your real riding position, you might be surprised.
I'd try this before you start with the spanners. Then sit up straight, like mother told you!
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Post by TuBa on Oct 9, 2007 8:50:34 GMT -5
Thank you all!
I will try all your advices and I'll come back with an status.
Anyway you're the best in giving advices!
Best regards,
TuBa
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Post by McF on Oct 9, 2007 9:37:03 GMT -5
Hi TuBa et al
All the previous advice sounds on the same lines as my own thoughts, especially those initiated by Buffs.
I'm sure my bike handles equally well on both left and right handers, but I much prefer cornering to the right, long sweeping, or short sharp corners and everything in between. As a result, I feel far more confident to get it over, slide the knee and grind the pegs - OK, so I don't actually take it that far!
I'm right handed but Box south paw and prefer to Arch (or whatever the verb is meaning to shoot a bow and arrow) left handed. I am comfortable using a rifle right or left handed but not a shotgun (which I shoot keeping both eyes open).
I had a CX500 for several years to commute (an excellent, but much mocked bike). My left knee (I think it was this way around) used to touch the left rocker cover when I was riding. I always put this down to the fact that the left cylinder was aft of the right. It was a bike that required little maintenance and hardly any stripping down to work on (oh the joy of having your cylinder heads sticking out the side!!). One day I had the tank off and was working on it from above. I realised the left cylinder was actually in front of the right. This is highly unusual as I know that (in those days anyway) my legs, in particular my femur were exactly the same length. I had tried for RN Aircrew selection and had the medical for fast jets. This included some detailed measurements of my body including my thigh length. I was impressed to learn that this was in case I ever had to eject. Legs too long mean you leave your knees in the c0ckpit!!
What does all of this mean? I must sit pretty crooked while I'm riding. I'd support Buff's advice, but add:
Get someone else to try your bike, perhaps follow them on theirs and see what you feel about cornering on another bike. If you can arrange this with another NTV, so much the better.
I've just edited this as I saw that it automatically moderated "C0ckpit" to "thingypit" when I used an "o". Buffs, that explains why your text says "head thingyed"
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Post by hovis on Oct 9, 2007 10:20:06 GMT -5
One good thing i could say about my Revere was it handled very well,had Metzler lasertecs fitted and Hagon progressive fork springs,it went around corners wet or dry in a very sure footed manner
Hovis
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Post by Jake on Oct 9, 2007 10:26:17 GMT -5
It's nice to hear someone else sing the praises of the much maligned CX..... ;D I'd agree with all of the above, but before assuming some kind of pysical idiosyncrasy, being a paranoid bugger I usually assume that there's something wrong with the bike the moment I buy it. This can pay dividends in making sure that you check the basics like oil, brakes, battery, tyres, plugs and air filter etc..... And then think about the handling when you take it on the road... If it handles radically different from any other bike you have owned then you might suspect a mechanical fault somewhere..... In this case, my immediate thought was that the front forks need checking. One of the things I change when buying a new bike is usually fork oil and if necessary fork springs.... If it's a second-hand bike, you never know what the previous owner was up to.....  |
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Post by hoonose on Oct 11, 2007 17:01:51 GMT -5
i miss my cx too...what a great bike!
i came off once on a left hand bend and have always taken abit more caution on them as a result. right handers always feel more natural for me and that must be a result of (the crash) and a number of the issues raised before this post.
altough, i had a go of my brothers cbr600 and the lefts where as good as the rights....my NTV is a bit 'clunky' anyway....
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Post by Jake on Oct 12, 2007 5:21:53 GMT -5
Hi Hoonose... Couldn't agree more about the CX...  When the guy's delivered my NTV they offered to remove the CX for breaking.... a waste of a good bike. So I've still got it, although I haven't ridden it in a few years. Had far fewer problems with the CX than with the NTV. As MCF pointed out, dead easy to service! Nothing ever broke on it, electrics were good.... But I still prefer the NTV in terms of power and handling, & bigger fuel tank etc. Jake. |
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Post by McF on Oct 12, 2007 8:40:56 GMT -5
Aaah, deep whimsical sigh! The plastic maggot, why did I sell mine? 12 years I think I had it and we went everywhere. I was lured by the sleek lines and performance of a CBR600. She hooked me and reeled me in with her wiley feminine charms; the dark harlot. The general said “One is sufficient young man” and she was right. Pregnant with our eldest (now 19) so the CX had to go. It was not a painful parting as I eyed the beastie, ticking over in the workshop waiting for me. I could hear her sultry whisper: “throw your leg over, wind me open, you know you want me”. I was away and loving the thrill of my new lover before you could say “watch your licence”. I wish I had heard those words I as I had many near misses and two endorsements, plus one bike chase (I was unaware of) who said he’d had to reach >130 to keep me in sight. I got a good (well deserved) bollocking and he let me go. What a bike, but it’s really the CX I miss more. I saw a black one just like mine this morning actually, a very rare sighting. DHN 382V if it’s anywhere still out there. After a few years of high speed thrills, I parted with the CBR, bought a Yamaha 350 single dirt bike (Model eludes me) which was fun, but rarely used as I could not use for anything other than fun. That got sold and I had 10 years in the wilderness. Borrowed bikes from time to time (sometimes for a month or two, in exchange for some McF TLC, servicing etc). In 2005 I completed a job with major responsibility that had consumed my life for several years. I’m not one to watch TV, and always like to be kept busy, so I bought a Boxer to restore thinking “Shaft Drive, OHV twin, sticky out the sides so easy to work on, agricultural”. The General was happy, life was eutopia. A second Beemer arrived in the garage, followed some time later by a basket case NTV and then a second not even good enough for the basket NTV. The General thinks I’m mad (she’s always right!) I’ve compared the NTV carefully with the Boxers. The NTV provides higher power, more torque, better mpg. But it’s a pig to work on, especially anything on the engine beyond checking the oil. Parts are readily available for both, but generally more expensive for the NTV. They’re both good to ride, but I do prefer the NTV for a more sporty feel. The General expects me to complete the rebuild on one boxer and the other NTV and sell; she will allow me to keep one of each. There we are, a load of irrelevance for this thread, but my muse complete..  |
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Post by steadythebuffs on Oct 12, 2007 9:17:53 GMT -5
I had a few maggots from Chas Bikes when I was despatching years back. Fond memories too - once you got used to the weird top-heavy sense. Great noise, great torque. Broke my arm on one falling off at 5mph on an adverse camber. Happy days.
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Post by Jake on Oct 12, 2007 10:11:07 GMT -5
Yeah..... I nearly broke my arm trying to lift mine up after I'd dropped her in a motorway service carpark. Riding home late at night from a trip to Stonehenge ... Didn't realise how tired I was and failed to put the side-stand down properly, and she keeled over, ever so slowly.... Couldn't pick her up on my own because of all of the camping gear strapped to the pillion and strained my right arm badly in trying.... But a couple of lads took pity on me, and helped me pick her up..... As you say Buffs, happy days.... Jake. |
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