Fasta
Expert Class
Posts: 114
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posted April 13, 2006 12:03 PM
Potential design issue with the 06?
Guys,
My bike pulls to the left when I sit upright, my hands off the steering. I asked the dealership to take a look and they apparently they made a small adjusted to the rear wheel alignment as they found this was slightly out, but it has had zero effect on this problem. They recon there is not too much that can be out in the front.
I experienced the same exact same thing (slightly lesser degree) with my previous 06 but not with my K6 or my 05 ZX10; to me this means that either the dealership needs to dig some more or this characteristic is inherent to the geometry of the new ZX10.
Is there anyone out there with a 06 having the same symptom?
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Currently:
2007 ZX-14 (stock)
2007 ZX-6 (stock)
Before:
2 x 2006 ZX10-R (stock)
2006 GSX-R1000 K6 (Yoshi + PC)
2005 ZX10-R (HyperPro damper)
2007 Versys (stock)
  
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Fasta
Expert Class
Posts: 114
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posted April 13, 2006 12:16 PM
Correction  ...bike pulls to the right.
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zx10hellcat
Parking Attendant
Posts: 2
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posted April 13, 2006 12:21 PM
Right not Left
That's interesting. My 06 pulls to the right. I noticed it right away since I always sit up and coast up to stop lights. Its a slight pull, but definitely there.
I was going to align my front and rear wheels using the string technique, but haven't had the time. When I do I will post my results. To be honest, it doesn't seem to be a big deal to me. The bike is flawless in its handling and everthing else. I love this machine.
As a note, my previous bikes didn't pull at all. It almost certainly has to be the alignment of the wheels.
Thanks for bringing up the topic.
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06 zx-10r Black
Alexandria, VA
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zx12adam
Member
Posts: 878
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posted April 13, 2006 12:41 PM
Crown of the road. It effects some bikes more than others.
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CBR1000RR
Best Literbike: Performance Bikes, Superbike, BIKE, MCN, Road Racing World, and Motorcycle USA
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Fasta
Expert Class
Posts: 114
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posted April 13, 2006 12:45 PM
Yea please lemme know...
You are right, the bike is practically flawless and it's WICKED fast...I made a posting a couple 'o days ago about the Suzuki's having more grunt, but the new Ninja is a killa once the engine loosens up a bit and you get to know the bike. With some minor mods I think the bike will see 170hp on the back wheel. My K6 put down 168 on the back wheel with a Yoshi slip on and a PCIII with a re-map.
My only other complaint is a squeaky noise coming from the engine somewhere when I de-accelerate. The noise is not proportionate to the wheel speed so it's not the disks, something else...
You also picking up this noise? Anyone else?
____________
Currently:
2007 ZX-14 (stock)
2007 ZX-6 (stock)
Before:
2 x 2006 ZX10-R (stock)
2006 GSX-R1000 K6 (Yoshi + PC)
2005 ZX10-R (HyperPro damper)
2007 Versys (stock)
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Fasta
Expert Class
Posts: 114
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posted April 13, 2006 12:53 PM
Definitely not the crown of the road...consistently pulls to the right on every surface I've tried with the degree obviously related to the road surface, but always to the right.
What concerns me is that the dealership said they ignored the markers for the rear and did an actual measurement from the swing arm connection to the wheel centre and aligned according to that, so theoretically the rear is now *perfectly* aligned with the frame. Since this had no effect on the problem and there is not much that can be adjusted at the front, does this mean that the frame is bent on a brand new bike?
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Currently:
2007 ZX-14 (stock)
2007 ZX-6 (stock)
Before:
2 x 2006 ZX10-R (stock)
2006 GSX-R1000 K6 (Yoshi + PC)
2005 ZX10-R (HyperPro damper)
2007 Versys (stock)
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zx10hellcat
Parking Attendant
Posts: 2
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posted April 13, 2006 01:29 PM
No noise.
I haven't noticed any noise from the engine when decelerating. But then again, I ride with ear plugs 99% of the time.
As far as alignment is concerned, the string method ensures the front and rear wheels are aligned. If your bike was aligned between the rear axle and frame, it may be possible that the wheels aren't aligned. I actually don't know. But the string method gaurantees the wheels are in alignment regardless of frame problems.
I'll post my results within a couple of weeks.
Agree with you on road surface. The pull occurs while in the right and left lanes and is in the same direction. If it was a crown issue, I would think the pull would be to the right and left depending on the lane you are in.
At first I wasn't sure if the bike was actully pulling since the effect is so slight. I thought that it was me leaning or something. I can actually lean slightly and cause the bike to coast in a straight line. This isn't something that concerns me, but I will be curious to see what the alignment looks like. My 2003 GSXR 1000 was 8mm out of alignment before I adjusted it.
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06 zx-10r Black
Alexandria, VA
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted April 13, 2006 03:57 PM
This could be a case of wheel offset.. It is not an easy task to remedy.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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zx12adam
Member
Posts: 878
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posted April 13, 2006 04:16 PM
Try riding on the other side of the road(when it's clear please) and see if it goes right, left, or straight...
...or...
...I've heard from GMD that bikes leave the factories less than perfect, with minor tolerences issues(more than they like), they've had brand new bikes come in and the frame/swingarm needed a bit of a tweak.
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CBR1000RR
Best Literbike: Performance Bikes, Superbike, BIKE, MCN, Road Racing World, and Motorcycle USA
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lonniemac
Expert Class
Posts: 225
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posted April 13, 2006 09:15 PM
hey guys i am not sure but the steering damper sounds suspect. no other models have them. and it may be holding stiff to that side. i dont know the design ohlins used inside. it may have a spring mechenism to keep it loaded. im sure while it is hitting little bumps in the road the damper does it thing to stiffen that side it bolts to. there is a lot of engineering that went into that frame. it was desighned for race applications they never intended for the bikes to be ridden with no hands. if it pulls with hands on then its serious.
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chriscollins
Novice Class
Posts: 91
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posted April 14, 2006 04:31 AM
try putting a magnetic level on the tank or carpet tape one on and make sure the bike is not leaning when pulling also make sure the tires are inflated correctly and that they are mounted in the right direction.
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Fasta
Expert Class
Posts: 114
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posted April 14, 2006 09:05 AM
Maybe a better description is that the bike is actually "tilting" (leaning) to the right underneath me when I let go of the handlebars, causing it to obviously turn right.
Ted; what symptoms could I look for that would help identify the problem as a wheel offset? Any idea on what is involved in trying to remedy it?
Chris; the bike is leaning, thoughts? I run my tyre pressures slightly lower the manual states; approx 2.5 front and 2.7 rear.
lonniemac; hear what you're saying. This is not something that will spoil the bike for me but I find it very strange that out of a forum where many guys have the new 10 only 2 guys are seeing this "characteristic". If 20 guys said "yea, we have the same thing" then I'd be content that its something with the new damper or the design of the bike, but it feels like something that needs to be looked into.
____________
Currently:
2007 ZX-14 (stock)
2007 ZX-6 (stock)
Before:
2 x 2006 ZX10-R (stock)
2006 GSX-R1000 K6 (Yoshi + PC)
2005 ZX10-R (HyperPro damper)
2007 Versys (stock)
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longy00000
Novice Class
Posts: 44
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posted April 14, 2006 09:35 AM
Just tested mine and its fine...sorry cant add anything but tyres do often have greater tolerances than say a frame so it wouldnt surprrise me if when the tyres are changed you find it all goes back to normal.
I had this with a car once, brand new Audi and it drifted a huge amount, tracking and everything was checked and was fine yet problem persisted until two new front tyres were fitted and hey presto everything sorted .
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chriscollins
Novice Class
Posts: 91
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posted April 14, 2006 10:17 AM
does speed effect it at all? i.e. going faster does it turn harder to the right? these bikes are so touchy to imput, are you sure your feet are exactly in the same place on both pegs? are you sitting exactly in the center of the seat? do you notice when you are going fast (130 or so ) that you have more weight on the left handle bar to go straight (no lean) with hands on? I bet its related to tires.
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Fasta
Expert Class
Posts: 114
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posted April 14, 2006 11:37 AM
The faster I go the less it seems to tend to want to do this, so at normal city speed limits it tends to tilt more than at highway speeds.
Its so weird...I don't want to bitch about the bike too much cause it really is a brilliant machine, but an observation that I made the very first few feet I drove the first 06 home (after getting off my K6) I noticed that the left handlebar was actually slightly more "forward" than the left. This was easily confirmed by going into a tuck and as I suspected my left elbow was completely offset of where I expected it to be. It being a new bike I decided to give it a bit of time and to just observe whether its not maybe the way I'm positioning my feet or that I may be leaning to the right or something. On my second (current) 06 I felt the same thing and I got this resolved to some degree now by having loosened the fork clamps and re-tightening these.
I think I'm getting completely paranoid now cause everything on the bike seems skewed somehow:
- I know that the Speedo is slightly offset, so that for starters creates an optical effect, but optics does not make ze bike pull to the right if you know what I mean. 
- Looking at the contact patch / wear on the front tyre, the road dust strip (for lack of a better explanation) seems offset...as if the centre of the tyre should move 4 millimetres to the right.
- Looking at the rear tyre, vertically it seems slightly skew proportionally to the frame and body.
Something is wrong, but fuck me if I can figure this one out...bizarre.
____________
Currently:
2007 ZX-14 (stock)
2007 ZX-6 (stock)
Before:
2 x 2006 ZX10-R (stock)
2006 GSX-R1000 K6 (Yoshi + PC)
2005 ZX10-R (HyperPro damper)
2007 Versys (stock)
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brig10
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted April 14, 2006 12:11 PM
English ones don't pull
I got one in March, it doesn't pull at all .............. freewheel, hands off the bars, straight as u like. Then again it takes some holding when you open it up and drop the knee !! awesome 
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fastestbusaaround
Needs a life
I eat Fish...
Posts: 7889
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posted April 19, 2006 06:50 PM
For fun, have someone else try it and see if they have the same issue...
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FYYFF!!!
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longy00000
Novice Class
Posts: 44
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posted April 20, 2006 07:11 AM
Have to say i am puzzled by what you describe, i think i would be tempted to go to a dealer and ask if to ride another demo zx10 to see if thats the same, although you state this is your second 10?
You have got me paranoid now so i have once again checked mine and "sorry but" its absolutely spot on, no pulling either on an open or closed throttle ,it just goes straight.
As for the bars again mine appear to be totally symetrical without needing any adjustment.
Hope you reslove this and post the answer / solution when you do.
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brobin01
Novice Class
Posts: 66
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posted April 20, 2006 10:46 AM
i have 1500 miles on mine. Take a tape measure and measure your tripple tree edge to the Start of you rubber grip. Compare both sides and you Will Find Your Answer. The Right site is 4mm further out. It throws everything off if you have a keen eye on how the bike feels.
Dont take my word just measure. I correct mine by moving the Right side in. The dealer thought the tripple tree needed realignment but it made no difference so they said it must be the charastics of the bike.
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brobin01
Novice Class
Posts: 66
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posted April 20, 2006 10:50 AM
i also replaced the Two bolts holding the Clipons UP to the BOTTOM of the Tripple tree with plain bolts (NO SPACING). This allowed me to push the Outer side of the Clipons out 3mm. This also fixed the complaint about the Bars being to far swept back (awkward and hard to get use to).
It now feels perfect ....more control, better feel, easier on wrist ... try it for $3 you wont be sorry !!!!
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Fasta
Expert Class
Posts: 114
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posted April 20, 2006 12:11 PM
brobin01: Damn, you're right, out by approx 3-4 mm. Not following your last post though, just run that one by me again...
Thanks.
____________
Currently:
2007 ZX-14 (stock)
2007 ZX-6 (stock)
Before:
2 x 2006 ZX10-R (stock)
2006 GSX-R1000 K6 (Yoshi + PC)
2005 ZX10-R (HyperPro damper)
2007 Versys (stock)
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brobin01
Novice Class
Posts: 66
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posted April 20, 2006 07:52 PM
 Edited By: brobin01 on 20 Apr 2006 20:56
study your clipons ... u will see the bolts underneath. Take one out and it will make sense. Its not a normal bolt. Go down to the auto store and replace with a regular bolt. When you have it finger tight you will see you now have the ability to move the clipons around 3 mm each way (6mm total). Just push it toward the Front of the bike and tighten at the same time. Then do the other.
Next .....move your Right Throttle, break and switch in 4 mm. Do Not over tighten because there is a Plastic Pin on the switch. Just tighten enough for a test ride.
Everything about it will be a World of a difference. Basically, thats what you will be able to do if you buy some adjustable aftermarket clipons ..... but this way will only cost you 1 hour and $3 bucks instead of $350 - $500.
By the way .... run it down the freeway then wheelie the crap out of it ....you will have a LOT move leverage which equates to a better feel and stability. I returned it to normal before I brought it down for a 1500 mile oil change. No need to confuse the dealer guys.
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brobin01
Novice Class
Posts: 66
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posted April 20, 2006 08:02 PM
also ... the faster you go the faster the crank turns and so goes recipical mass .... so of course it would want to go straight. Try this .... bring it up to a 150 on a flat road .... it will be hard to Not make it go Straight.
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