1200 Sport Handling

[circlip]

I test rode a 1200 Sport over the weekend and noticed that the bike felt like it wanted to fall over when leaned into a turn. I was surprised, coming from a Breva 1100. I figured that the Sport would be as stable as the Breva, but maybe a bit quicker handling. My guess is that this is unusual behavior for a 1200 Sport. Does any one have a suggestion to the cause (maybe it's me)?

Thanks.

[oldbike54]

 Tires , either the size , or profile ?

 Dusty

[circlip]

Although I did not witness it, tire pressure was allegedly checked (and air added) before I rode it.
As for the tires, I know that it has Metzlers Sportec M3's, but I don't know the sizes.

[pete roper]

Tyre pressure would be the obvious one, (Check it again, 36 front, 38 rear. With an accurate guage.) but chances are it's got buggered swingarm bearings and shock linkage bearings and maybe the steering head bearings are shot too.

Pete

[ohiorider]

It's probably not you!  Shortly after I rode my new 2008 1200 Sport home from New Hampshire to Ohio in April of 2010, I posted several questions on WG about its handling, much like your inquiry.  I found the Sport (as you rode) to be difficult to push into a turn, but once the turn was initiated, the bike felt like it wanted to fall way too deep into the turn.  In short, I hated how the bike handled.  I played with suspension adjustments, thinking that rear shock preload was causing the problem.  That wasn't the problem.

Moving on, once I replaced the OEM tires (some series of Metzeler sport tire) with touring tires (Metzeler  880) handling returned to normal bike feel.  I did find the 880s a bit harsh, and after a couple of sets, switched to Pilot Road 3s.

Now my Sport has slightly more than 65,000 miles on the odometer, and i find it to be one of the nicest handling bikes I've owned. The bike is simply a great handling sport tourer, once I found that the original tires from the factory were a horrible mismatch for the bike.

I'll look back and see what I can find from 2010 in my files that might be useful to you.

Bob

PS - I'm not a peg scraper!

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Any motorcycle will lean way too easy if:

1. Tires are overinflated
2. Tires worn and profile is compromised
3. Headset bearings too tight or worn

I have a 1200 Sport and when I first got it the front tire was worn badly and the handling was scarey! With good tires on that bike, it handles great. I ride with Michelin Pilot 3’s.

[kirby1923]

Any time you buy a tire pressure gauge you might consider checking them for accuracy. In California (not sure about other states), all tire sellers that also install tires have to check the accuracy of their gauges every 30 days.
To do this they have an accurate pressure regulator in house that can be used to check their gauges.
I have never bought a new gauge that wasn't off by a few pounds. This is both electronic and analog gauges.

They have all read low. The last electronic gauge I bought that I carry in my kit was 2.5 psi low. I usually scribe the correction on the guage..+2.5 psi. My high end analog gauge reads 5 psi low.

Some tires brands are very sensitive to pressure with just a few psi off can make a big difference.

FWIW

[Moto]

I test rode a 1200 Sport over the weekend and noticed that the bike felt like it wanted to fall over when leaned into a turn. I was surprised, coming from a Breva 1100. I figured that the Sport would be as stable as the Breva, but maybe a bit quicker handling. My guess is that this is unusual behavior for a 1200 Sport. Does any one have a suggestion to the cause (maybe it's me)?

Thanks.

It may just not be what you want. I rented one in Mandello to take up to the Alps and hated it. Poor handling was my reason. It was especially bad on the tight turns climbing above Bellagio in the old Circuito del Lario race route.

Others like them. <shrug>

Moto

[Rick4003]

The 1200 sport I tried didn't have any handling issues :)

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[roadscum]

My '09 had no handling issues, in fact I thought if handled pretty well. It was the electrical issues that lead to it leaving my garage forever.

Paul

[Darren Williams]

I distinctly remember disliking the OEM Metzlers on mine. My second set was Michelin PR2's or 3's, can't remember. Then tried some Pirelli Angle ST. Those gave me what I considered the best handling. It would fall in pretty quick and easy and I could hold a line without much effort. The bike is top heavy, especially with a full fuel load, but handled sweet for me. Now slow speed handling was always a chore because it was a top heavy bike with a tall first gear and a heavy clutch pull. As long as I wasn't in stop and go traffic, it was one of the most enjoyable bikes I have ever ridden.

Also, the grease pots were obviously empty when mine was made, head stock bearing, swing arm bearing, and shock linkage only had any lube that you would expect to see when they were taken out of the wrapper.

And what Paul said, I would still have it but for the electrical issues (dash).

[JohninVT]

Metzeler M3's were designed for 600cc, 400lb sportbikes.  Like the OEM brake pads that contributed to rotor warping on the 1200 Sport...M3's are another example of Guzzi spec'ing the wrong part for the bike.  M3 fronts have a triangular profile that makes the bike fall in to turns.  Switch to a Michelin PR2 or 3 and that trait will disappear.  They have a more rounded profile.  Turn in may require a little more effort but they have a much more linear feel the more you lay the bike over.  It won't suddenly drop the way it will on M3's. 

[ohiorider]

Metzeler M3's were designed for 600cc, 400lb sportbikes.  Like the OEM brake pads that contributed to rotor warping on the 1200 Sport...M3's are another example of Guzzi spec'ing the wrong part for the bike.  M3 fronts have a triangular profile that makes the bike fall in to turns.  Switch to a Michelin PR2 or 3 and that trait will disappear.  They have a more rounded profile.  Turn in may require a little more effort but they have a much more linear feel the more you lay the bike over.  It won't suddenly drop the way it will on M3's.

Your post reminded me about the brake pad replacement, which I did 1st time at 1600 miles based on advice from WG members (to EBC HH.)  2nd replacement at 62,500.  Obviously I'm not tough on my brakes.  I'm still running with the Braking wave rotors, and have zero shimmy or shake when applying the brakes.  Rear pads replaced at 23k and 43k, so I need to do them again before start of 2018 season.  Already installed Speed Bleeders on the front calipers .... and will install them (it) on the rear.

Bob