Finally put a new front tyre on the bike and expected the 'tramlining' to stop as the old rubber was badly worn.

Unf the new one does it too - bike seems to resist turning at slow speeds, and really follows grooves in the road - filtering between cars is now tenuous as it tugs at the bars when I try to point it in the right direction.

It never used to do this, hasnt been dropped, pressures are correct, and the rear wheel alignement is OK by a vernier guage!

It's really made me lose trust and confidence in the bike (Cagiva Gran Canyon) as it fights me now and I dislike feeling I'm wrestling it at slow speeds.

Any ideas guys?

Is that not a traile kinda thing? If so you may be riding on intermediates - midway between trail and road tyre. That may explain the problem. If you're using full road rubber, then I aint got a clue mate. :)

While reluctant to criticise anyone's riding style, even more so without seeing it.

It sounds like you may have lost confidence in your tyres with them being worn and may now be 'holding on too tight' it may help if you try to relax your grip a little and let the bike do the work, steer with slighht opposite lock pressure and see how it goes.

maybe not try in traffic at first though ;)

Goose - they are virtually road tyres, maybe just slightly chunkier.

Mr T! Mate, it REALLY tugs and fights me. You are right that I dont trust it as before, but it used to be great - overtake full on sportsbikes on a roundabout jobbbie! (admittedly Rolex riders!).

Do you think it is a matter of the new tyre bedding in? Pretty bloody extreme if it is! Could it be spoke tightness???

CHEERS!

Shouldn't happen m8. The rear tyre is not on it's way out is it? Often a "squared off" rear tyre can make the bike feel like this. Is it a recent problem and does it only happen around town? I ask because the weather is getting colder and often when not fully up to temp, some tyres do this.

If you go for a fast blast and then slow down again, does it do it then? You try putting more pressure in the tyres to see what happens? What pressures are you running?

Matt :)

P.S. Forgot to ask, has the bike been in for a service recently? Perhaps it is in fact a head racers (bearings) problem? Have they been (over) tightened recently? Front brake isn't binding at all is it?

Just thoughts...

Matt :)

Matt

hanks for the pointers mate, but none shed any light i'm afraid - the rear is quite new and I run 34 front 36 rear.

If the bloody thing had a centre stand I could check the head bearings...

I'm taking it in on Friday - I'll wobble till then!

Cheers mate!

Just in case it helps, I've run 36f 42r on my last three bikes as this seems to make the handling nice and sharp. These also happen to be the recommended pressures for my Thunderace, which is nice ;):)

Matt :)

And so...

It now turns in like a superbike...

It took 5 visists to different bearing suppliers by the magnificent Dave of Dave Robinson Motorcycles...

A new bottom steering head bearing fixed it...

Steering turned smoothly when checked with NO LOAD, but seized up when it had a rider on it.

Live and lear!

Perhaps it is in fact a head racers (bearings) problem? Have they been (over) tightened recently?

;)

Matt :D

P.S. Glad you got it sorted :)

Matt - I kinda discounted bearing wear as the bike is so young, and i've never ever (ever) had to change them on any long term & much older bike i've had. Dave R said it was water that made them sieze up (rather than wear out) up so young...

D