Fear of falling

[Horizontally opposed]

Fear of falling now becomes fear of running out of money.

I don't disagree with any suggestions, but the cost of tyres plus shocks (even Wilbers) now approaching 20% of value of bike.
Better to jack up the spark plugs and wheel a new bike in underneath. (':)')
Anyway one thing at a time or I won't learn anything

Dai's description closely mirrors what I am feeling, tippy toes an' all.
Pilot sport 3 don't have much to measure in the middle but a little squiggly line.
Tyres will be first, though front still good.
I've pumped the rear back up to 42 to see what happens.


Thanks to all.
I will do a report to help others when I have done .

[Vince]

I think the bike has been covered by previous posts, but what about that important componant connecting the handlebars to the seat i.e you?

Is there a local advanced/training riding club near you, there's nothing wrong with a bit of extra training regardless of many or how few miles you've done.

HTH
\v/

[Horizontally opposed]

Very fair point Vince, but I don't think I am the cause, but I am probably magnifying the symptom by gripping too hard (either with hands or sphincter.)

However no point in doing a course until I am confident the bike is as good and as safe as I can make it.
Plenty of courses here-about, though sadly, BMW specific courses seem to be all off-road.

Stage 1
New tyres have been ordered front and back. Mich. Road Pilot 2s.

Stage 2, to come later.
Very slight feathering of front tyre suggests front shocker needs checking next.

Thanks

[Blackal]

Have a serious look at the profile of your front tyre?

Some tyres, or styles of riding - can produce a slight flat either side of the profile peak - causes serious handling problems.

I've had it very pronounced on previous Metzler M1, and am just begining to notice it on an M1 again.

Al

[dave the german]

That's a good point Al - I have M! s fitted - that's what the bike came with and just stuck with them (no pun intended) but only slight wear I'm finding the front to be very unstable over white lines or any grooves in the road. I'll be trying something else when they need replacing

[Dai wiskers]

Have a serious look at the profile of your front tyre?

Some tyres, or styles of riding - can produce a slight flat either side of the profile peak - causes serious handling problems.

I've had it very pronounced on previous Metzler M1, and am just begining to notice it on an M1 again.

Al

Thats a good point i had almost forgoten about i remember having a pair of O2O's fitted i thought a dual compound sounded like a good idea, not for my riding style i seem to remember the front lasted less than 2000 miles before the sides had gone

Never again Dai

[slparry]

That's a good point Al - I have M! s fitted - that's what the bike came with and just stuck with them (no pun intended) but only slight wear I'm finding the front to be very unstable over white lines or any grooves in the road. I'll be trying something else when they need replacing

I was using the Metz's but tried the Conti Road Attacks because of an offer from Busters or M&P's .... I've been VERY pleased with the Road Attacks

[GRAgusta]

My bike was well thrashed twice this year - Applecross and Moffat. The front Metzler became undriveable long before it was legally run out. There was a very strange profile, like Al says felt like it had a flat side which the bike would fall off. There are now two new tyres with a nice profile and the bike feels very light and responsive. So yes, look at the front tyre.

[Kaze]

I was using the Metz's but tried the Conti Road Attacks because of an offer from Busters or M&P's .... I've been VERY pleased with the Road Attacks

Seconded The front is particularly good, wet or dry

[dave the german]

looks like I'll try the road attacks

[Neil178]

36 psi on the front. Is that solo or two up?

Solo is 31.9 psi.
Having spent some time with an advanced instructor, who explained why the 'book' figure isn't always the right figure, he altered it a bit at a time.
I told him when the front felt the best. It was 29 psi.
Amazing how just 1 psi alters the feel.
I use 29.5 to 30 psi. The tyre wears normally and feels so much better than the 32 psi.
So, if you are solo, then maybe try dropping 1 psi at a time?

[Dai wiskers]

Running road attacks i'm using 36/42 at all times with no problem i have found a stick on dyno lable on the bike that says front 32psi rear 33.5[almost as low as trackday pressure for me]
and have often wondered if this was why the bike has been written off twice

over the years i have found an overinflated front gives realy strange handling it feels almost like the headset bearings have gone [the bike just wont track straight]

tyre pressures are not written in stone you must find what suits both you and your bike we all ride differently and therefore put more or less heat into our tyres someone that is harder on the throttle and brakes will heat the tyres more and will run a lower pressure than a gentle rider

Check pressures cold they change[rise] a suprising amount when warm


Hope this helps dai