Re: stiff steering on 96rt

["Robert B. Hadden" <kbhadden@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

paige,  The front wheel should almost flop side to side when you are  
on the center stand.  I suggest disconnect the ball joint and see if  
that's where the stiffness is.  It is a wear item.


Bob Hadden '05R12GS(former), '62R27, '06 Breva


On Jul 15, 2007, at 11:28 AM, plpklt@xxxxxxx wrote:

> I have a 96rt that I bought new, always loved the bike.? I also  
> recently bought a 2006 R12GS which steers much lighter and even  
> more nibble.?? Infact it was so light steering I had to adapt to  
> it.? Now when I go back to the RT? it handles like a mac truck,?  
> Much more work to coax thru any turn and even rolling it around the  
> garage you can tell a really big difference.
>
> My question is with almost 85K miles on it,? could it be in the  
> front ball joint or steering head bearing set?? on the lift the  
> front wheel seems stiffer to turn from side to side,? no notching  
> or general looseness but just offers more resistance than I would  
> expect.
>
> The tires are not new but I even inflated them to thier upper  
> limits and the bikes steers somewhat better but still is truck  
> like.? I just think it is more than the difference between an RT  
> and a GS.
>
> It is almost like the grease in the ball joint has gotten supper  
> stiff.? the rubber boot is intack and there is no sign the grease  
> has leaked out like when a CVC joint goes bad.
>
> Thanks for any and all advice.
>
> paige
> Florida...