Gen 1 handling issues are solved.

[OmegaX]

I have never been a fan of how the gen 1 handled. I have had the bike since it was new and never got use to how it felt in corners and how twitchy it felt at other times, the bike just felt loose. New tires helped, suspension set up for my weight helped but nothing completely solved the problems. I hated the bike on the track. It became even more apparent how bad it handled riding it after my track bike.

I removed the 3mm shim for the rear shock and with the increased trail it wasn't so twitchy but you had to fight it in the corners. So at this point the bike was on the chopping block. Than the ass fell out of the economy and I knew I wouldn't be able to sell it for a decent price. So I decided to play around with the shims on the rear shock again. I installed the 3mm shim again just to be sure it wasn't me, yep it handled like sh*t. I took the bike out and it would fall into the corners and wallow through the sweepers.

So now I had to find some shims, Kawi sells them for over a $100, now there was no way I was going to pay that for some freakin' washers. So I googled 17x32x1 and there it was, a washer for a Suzuki DRZ400(09181-17019) part of the kick starter. I ordered three and installed only one on the bike. It handles better than my track bike now. I cannot tell how well this bike handles with the 1mm shim installed. I don't know how anyone thought it handled well with the stock settings, more power to you. It now feels like a completely different bike, the bike turns with little effort and tracks through sweepers like it is on rails. Transitions from right to left are effortless. So for a couple of bucks and an hour of my time I have a new bike.

[or10r]

HHHhhhhmmmmmmm...got me thinkin.

[M.Guenette]

So let me get this straight. You put the 3mm shim/washer back in and it handle like crap,so you added another 1mm shin/washer to it . Or you removed the 3mm and put in just the 1mm. Just need to be clear before I try this trick.

[Omofo]

thanks for the info!

[tedg04]

Sounds like the op felt the bike was too twitchy. Therefore put a 1mm shim in to replace the 3mm shim, dropping 2mm of rear height. This would make it less prone to turn in, and feel more planted.

Personally, I don't have any trouble holding my line on my 04, and doesn't seem too twitchy to me. There's probably something to it though, since Kawi themselves tamed down the 2nd gen's handling from the first gen, maybe the REALLY fast guys can benefit from a less radical rear ride height.

[OmegaX]

Sorry if I wasn't clear only the 1mm washer installed.

[csgup1]

hey! ive got a question for you.

ive got a gen 1 and i got the sags set up for my weight and dropped the forks by 5mm. it still felt pretty lethargic on the initial turn in. i dropped the forks by another 5mm and now the front feels like it wants to tuck in . any sugesstions??

cheers!

[OmegaX]

Originally Posted by csgup1

hey! ive got a question for you.

ive got a gen 1 and i got the sags set up for my weight and dropped the forks by 5mm. it still felt pretty lethargic on the initial turn in. i dropped the forks by another 5mm and now the front feels like it wants to tuck in . any sugesstions??

cheers!

Trail can vary as the bike leans or steers. In the case of traditional geometry, trail decreases (and wheelbase increases if measuring distance between ground contact points and not hubs) as the bike leans and steers in the direction of the lean.

Since you dropped the front a total of 10mm you have changed the trail alot. So as you begin your turn it is really screwed up. It would be like adding another 3mm shim to the rear. If I remember correctly 1mm in the rear is equal to ~3mm in the front. Put the front back to stock height, remove the rear 3mm shim(washer) buy the 1mm washer I have listed and install it and you will be good to go. For a couple of bucks and an hour of your time you will be surprised how well it will handle.

I have proven it to myself that something as small as 1mm can change the whole setup. I hope this helps.

[csgup1]

hmm. its starting to make a bit more sense. what tyres are you running and how much do you weigh?? my initial problem though was that the bike wont turn in quickly enough. whould that go away with the shims??

Cheers!

[OmegaX]

Originally Posted by csgup1

hmm. its starting to make a bit more sense. what tyres are you running and how much do you weigh?? my initial problem though was that the bike wont turn in quickly enough. whould that go away with the shims??

Cheers!

I am running Pilot Powers with a 50 rear. I weigh about 155lbs and wear full leathers when I ride so all geared up I am about 175. When you drop the forks so much you also put more weight on to the front of the bike, this can also have an adverse affect on handling. 10mm is alot when it comes to the geometry of the bikes setup. As for my bikes ability to turn in quickly, it turns in better than my track bike. It is very flickable without the twitchy behavior. The bike gives much more feedback instead of the loose unconnected feel that I would get before. When I completely removed the shim the bike was much harder to steer, I had to muscle it through tight turns.

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0310_art/index.html