Steering Problem

[bhek_21]

I have this little problem with my yamaha sniper mx 135 2011 model.. What would be the cause and solution if my steering or handle bar is unstable during free hand (no hand). As I do free hand, it wiggles from minor and getting worst but there is no problem if I'm holding the steering or handle bar. As far as I know, it should be stable even we release our hand at a certain speed.

Do you have any idea what would be the problem and solution? Is it possible that the problem is the knuckle bearing?? My front mag wheel doesn't have any dents or misalignment..

I hope you can give me some input guys based on your experience.

Thanks T135 citizens!

 

[jcm1130]

why do you do a free hand bro? its too risky IMO.. remember that we riders should aim for safety first to prevent untoward incidents.. ride safe..

 

[bhek_21]

why do you do a free hand bro? its too risky IMO.. remember that we riders should aim for safety first to prevent untoward incidents.. ride safe..

Thanks for the reply sir jcm1130.

I had a suzuki and honda bike before and I tried to do free hand for a short period of time and it is stable. I'm just wondering why my sniper mx steering is unstable at free hand just for a short period of time. I'm just curious and quite bothered. Even in motogp, they do free hand if the race is already finished to wave to people but their bike is stable. But in their case, they have installed a steering damper.

By the way, I'm implementing the safety first attitude and wear proper safety gears for my daily ride but my aim on doing it is to know the stability of my steering. I just wanted to know if this is normal or not.. If it is normal, I have nothing to worry but if this case is not normal, I'm really worried.

 

[jcm1130]

Thanks for the reply sir jcm1130.

I had a suzuki and honda bike before and I tried to do free hand for a short period of time and it is stable. I'm just wondering why my sniper mx steering is unstable at free hand just for a short period of time. I'm just curious and quite bothered. Even in motogp, they do free hand if the race is already finished to wave to people but their bike is stable. But in their case, they have installed a steering damper.

By the way, I'm implementing the safety first attitude and wear proper safety gears for my daily ride but my aim on doing it is to know the stability of my steering. I just wanted to know if this is normal or not.. If it is normal, I have nothing to worry but if this case is not normal, I'm really worried.

copy bro.. how long had you been with your SniperMX?.. maybe your not yet familiar with its handling IMO.. btw i also do a free hand about 5 secs with my old sniper h/c its stable. try installing a fork stabilizer from racing boy.. this might help.

 

[febe gienel celebria]

sometimes i do free hand on my classic sniper.. at free road, running about 60 - 70kmh and it was stable.. no idea for mx.. bt i thnk it has an unbalance tire in front.. just ask ur mechanic or better go in the nearest yamaha 3s store..

 

[bhek_21]

copy bro.. how long had you been with your SniperMX?.. maybe your not yet familiar with its handling IMO.. btw i also do a free hand about 5 secs with my old sniper h/c its stable. try installing a fork stabilizer from racing boy.. this might help.

@jmc1130
It's been a month since I'm using my Sniper MX but this really feels unusual. I think even I'll not to install front fork stabilizer or even a steering damper, it should be stable. right? Do you have any idea how much is the racing boy front fork stabilizer?

sometimes i do free hand on my classic sniper.. at free road, running about 60 - 70kmh and it was stable.. no idea for mx.. bt i thnk it has an unbalance tire in front.. just ask ur mechanic or better go in the nearest yamaha 3s store..

@febe
Thanks for the reply sir. I'm also thinking of that tire issue. I'm planning to change my front tire, maybe it has an unbalance thread consumption.

By the way sirs, I got my sniper mx as repossessed unit with 3k km odometer reading. When I got this, my bike has a little front wheel steering to the right. I brought this at Yamaha 3S shop to correct this and just as expected, it was corrected. The front wheel & handle bar was already aligned but this wiggle at free hand is still there. I'm really looking to the comment of sir febe regarding unbalanced front tire and considering the suggestion of sir jcm1130 of installing front fork stabilizer.

 

[takomi]

try also to check your front fork shock maybe this has been dis-allign, and repair by machine shop,..maybe the 1st owner of your mx has been involved in accident, and return it to 3s shop,..

 

[John Angelo Cantal]

Dats ryt takomi. It was already repocessed u dnt knw wat was d first owner done. Btw bro, all sniper and smx are stable wen u do a free hand or free will unles it has a problem wd its fork shock,alignement etc. Try to go to the nearest 3s shop. Dey have d idea and more knwledge about dat.

 

[John Angelo Cantal]

Dats ryt takomi. It was already repocessed u dnt knw wat was d first owner done. Btw bro, all sniper and smx are stable wen u do a free hand or free will unles it has a problem wd its fork shock,alignement etc. Try to go to the nearest 3s shop. Dey have d idea and more knwledge about dat.

 

[bhek_21]

try also to check your front fork shock maybe this has been dis-allign, and repair by machine shop,..maybe the 1st owner of your mx has been involved in accident, and return it to 3s shop,..

Dats ryt takomi. It was already repocessed u dnt knw wat was d first owner done. Btw bro, all sniper and smx are stable wen u do a free hand or free will unles it has a problem wd its fork shock,alignement etc. Try to go to the nearest 3s shop. Dey have d idea and more knwledge about dat.

@takomi & John

Thank you for your advise. I'll check my front fork. But as far as I checked my front fork, there are no signs of accident. Maybe the 1st owner might just fell off the bike to right during parking because there is no sign of major accident at the body, fairings and pipe area. There is just a very very small scratch at the right pointed fairing corner near the signal light. Anyway, I'll try to check closely my front shocks. I can see it when I dismantle and re-install my front wheel.. right?

 

[takomi]

@takomi & John

Thank you for your advise. I'll check my front fork. But as far as I checked my front fork, there are no signs of accident. Maybe the 1st owner might just fell off the bike to right during parking because there is no sign of major accident at the body, fairings and pipe area. There is just a very very small scratch at the right pointed fairing corner near the signal light. Anyway, I'll try to check closely my front shocks. I can see it when I dismantle and re-install my front wheel.. right?

yeah your right! mostly if the machine shop works on fork, you will not notice it,..its look like nothing happen,..just take a closer look and see if the front fork is not bend,..IMHO!

 

[neilryu04]

Based on experience bro here are possible problems
1. Tire issue- possible air pressure and etc.
2. Tire Bearing-Possible Damage
3. Front wheel axel- possible bent
4. Damage Rim or mags- "Benkong"
5. T-post issues - Damage bearing?needs tightening?
6. It has little effect-"Lacking fork oil issue"

 

[bhek_21]

yeah your right! mostly if the machine shop works on fork, you will not notice it,..its look like nothing happen,..just take a closer look and see if the front fork is not bend,..IMHO!

takomi

Thanks a lot sir! I'll check this out, probably on weekends..

Based on experience bro here are possible problems
1. Tire issue- possible air pressure and etc.
2. Tire Bearing-Possible Damage
3. Front wheel axel- possible bent
4. Damage Rim or mags- "Benkong"
5. T-post issues - Damage bearing?needs tightening?
6. It has little effect-"Lacking fork oil issue"

neilryu04

Thanks sir for the inputs on possible causes. I'll check all of it.

I've alerady corrected items # 1 and # 4.. I'll have to check the remaining items (items 2, 3, 5 and 6).. I think on item 6 is quite rare since my bike is still fresh but I will still consider it.. For T-post, is it the knuckle bearing issue?

Thanks a lot guys! I'm so lucky that YamahaT135 with friendly co-forumers that shares their ideas and experiences to help others.
You will just got nose bleed here because you should speak in english.. hahahah but it helps to improve communication skills..

 

[neilryu04]

takomi

Thanks a lot sir! I'll check this out, probably on weekends..



neilryu04

Thanks sir for the inputs on possible causes. I'll check all of it.

I've alerady corrected items # 1 and # 4.. I'll have to check the remaining items (items 2, 3, 5 and 6).. I think on item 6 is quite rare since my bike is still fresh but I will still consider it.. For T-post, is it the knuckle bearing issue?

Thanks a lot guys! I'm so lucky that YamahaT135 with friendly co-forumers that shares their ideas and experiences to help others.
You will just got nose bleed here because you should speak in english.. hahahah but it helps to improve communication skills..

On #1 Sniper MX OEM tires is IRC and Old Sniper is Dunlop. On #4 My sniper use a rim type.(I only xeperience wiggle handle bar when it was damage) Since now i have not use a Fork Stabilizer on my Sniper.

I also have a wave alpha and a Dio scooter where in, i also do free hand at 80 to 100kph just to check its handle bar stability.

 

[sniper135lc]

i also has this issue on my 2 bikes, first my classic sniper when i got drop it on my way home the handle bar was not able to return to its alignment and i have to replace the handle bar, also on my mio when my brother did overturn the bike down hill. as of my experience you may check your front shock by letting the bike on center stand position and shake it front and backward. if there is a shake on the following motion maybe the shock is loose. if you already repair this front shock then repair it replace oil seals. on the steering bearing on the T post. just let the bike on the center stand position and move it side by side slowly from left to right by holding down the rear grab bar. hold it down enough to raise the front tire. if you have a feeling that there is a canal or a slight feel rough on motion of your movement maybe the steering nut lock was not adjusted properly. this steering lock nut needs only a slight tight and slight loose not too tight and not too loose. cause this steering lock nut was the free play of the handle bar vs the front wheel. i also a sensitive rider on the handlebar i don't like a shaking handle bar that's why my tire pressure was below 29 i make it 26-27 if no back ride. too much tire pressure also affect the handling of the handle bar that might loose the lock nut of the steering. or a rough ride too.

 

[jcm1130]

if you have time, try to dismantle your front fairings and observe closely where the problem is coming from.. tighten all bolts and nuts..

 

[bhek_21]

i also has this issue on my 2 bikes, first my classic sniper when i got drop it on my way home the handle bar was not able to return to its alignment and i have to replace the handle bar, also on my mio when my brother did overturn the bike down hill. as of my experience you may check your front shock by letting the bike on center stand position and shake it front and backward. if there is a shake on the following motion maybe the shock is loose. if you already repair this front shock then repair it replace oil seals. on the steering bearing on the T post. just let the bike on the center stand position and move it side by side slowly from left to right by holding down the rear grab bar. hold it down enough to raise the front tire. if you have a feeling that there is a canal or a slight feel rough on motion of your movement maybe the steering nut lock was not adjusted properly. this steering lock nut needs only a slight tight and slight loose not too tight and not too loose. cause this steering lock nut was the free play of the handle bar vs the front wheel. i also a sensitive rider on the handlebar i don't like a shaking handle bar that's why my tire pressure was below 29 i make it 26-27 if no back ride. too much tire pressure also affect the handling of the handle bar that might loose the lock nut of the steering. or a rough ride too.

if you have time, try to dismantle your front fairings and observe closely where the problem is coming from.. tighten all bolts and nuts..

sniper135lc

Thanks for sharing your experience. It will also help me on what should I check.

jcm1130

Thank you very much sir for the inputs.

 

[bhek_21]

@all

Update on my steering issue..

I've check the following based on the inputs here:

Front mag wheels - No dents. The bearing are in very good condition, no restriction at all.
Front telescopic - no signs of accident, front wheel axle is easy to pull out and push in. No shake even if I shake it forward and backward
T-post - no canals as I steer. No shake even if I shake it forward and backward
Front brake caliper - It is quite tight but I tried to loosen it up a little bit but still the wiggle is there at free wheel.

But I'm doubting on tires itself, maybe it has a bump at some area. I'll try to change my front tire including the inner tubing and then I'll check if there's still a wiggle. I'm also wondering if I need to tighten a little bit more my steering upper and lower nut.. what do you think guys?

 

[sniper135lc]

try it sir its up to you if its fits your preferred settings. also don't forget to grease it up.

 

[bhek_21]

try it sir its up to you if its fits your preferred settings. also don't forget to grease it up.

Thanks sir. I'll do it at the same time I change my front tire..