| Author | Message | ||
     Chance |
My 03 XB9R OEM tires were some Dunlop E or F, I don't remember. I found I could only get them at a dealership, which erks me so I switched to the D208. That first day, I ran the XB up to 110 mph and got a nasty tank slapper! I've been running 208's ever since, but the poor bike wants me to take her out of a school zone. I need a really good suggestion on what tires to run which will let me open her up without worrying about ending up in the morgue... | ||
| Cygnus_x1 |
You wouldnt be offended if I took out a life insurance policy on ya, would ya? | ||
| Mrvvrroomm |
It's not your tires. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Might want to check your suspension settings first. Take your time with them and make certain you do both sides evenly. I use the Pirelle (sp?) Scorpion Syncs on my bike. They do 100+ mph just fine. | ||
| Chance |
Sure, go ahead Cygnus | ||
| Chance |
Please explain Mrvv... | ||
| Chance |
...As for the settings, they are exactly the same...set to my weight. | ||
| Tpoppa |
What are your front & rear preload settings? | ||
| Mrvvrroomm |
As stated, check your suspension. Tires won't make a tank slapper. Are you talkin' serious tank slapper, really? Or did you just get a little head shake? | ||
| Chance |
It was a big POW POW POW! I thought I was going over the bars. I hear what you are saying about my settings, but I called Buell, my dealership, HD and Dunlop the next day. After spending a few hours on the phone, they all said that the tire I put on, the d208 was 2 lbs. heavier than the oem. They said this is what caused the trouble. Now I am more inclined to believe you all today as now the tire they spec is the d208....so maybe they were just talking out their @$$. Either way, I am going to have my settings looked at as you have recomended....still, any tire preferences? | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Many brothers report excellent results with the Pirelli Diablos, Metzler Sportec M-1 and the Michelin Pilot Powers which I use, and I am very happy with. A big tank slapper at 100mph should not occur with any tire combo. Did you change both tires? This is highly recommended, even though the front may look ok, it's profile may have changed, and that combination with a new, and different model rear tire could cause some instability. Where the tires properly balanced? Did you check for play in the steering bearings? These loosen up very quickly. If you feel a "clunk" when you apply the front brake hard at slow speeds, these bearings need to be tightened as per the manual. Mostly likely since this occurred when you changed tires, you either have defective tires, or they were installed incorrectly. I would start by replacing the tires with one of the brands mentioned above, and make sure they are properly installed and balanced. Please keep the board informed of how you solve this problem. | ||
| Chance |
Jon, this was my first set of tires back in 2003 after I ran through the oems when I first bought the bike...I don't think the bearings would be at issue with only 5000 miles. All major services were done at dealership, and I did change both front and rear at the same time. It could have been the store that put them on. When you say a tank slapper should not occur with any tire combo, then this tells me that the dealership, Dunlop, and Buell were all lying to me when they said it was the tires. I spent last night installing a steering damper and am planning on getting new tires today. I will be trailering the bike to a warmer climate for scrub in and testing..... | ||
| Ralf |
"I don't think the bearings would be at issue with only 5000 miles." I disagree. Mine are loose, and I only have 3200 miles. Demo I rode had 2200 (very hard) miles and clunked. Read this very carefully, posted by Jon: "These loosen up very quickly. If you feel a "clunk" when you apply the front brake hard at slow speeds, these bearings need to be tightened as per the manual. " If you check and they are OK well fine. But if you think you don't need to check them because you have only 5000 miles, I "think" you are making a mistake. | ||
| No_rice |
i havent had a single problem with my bearings, one bike has 9400 and the other 4500. anyway, the diablo's are excellent tires. i would recommend them to anyone. | ||
| Chance |
So let me get this straight...we put a man on the moon way back in 1969..and brought him back....but we can't make a bearing system that will last beyond 3200 miles in 2003? Maybe it's just Buell who can't make one..er buy one from a quality manufacturer.... | ||
| Buellisti |
I'd suggest checking the balance of the front wheel. A missing weight or misbalanced wheel could cause a scary oscillation. | ||
| Keys |
Wow, I've heard that "clunk" a couple times! Now I know what it is. Thanks for that. However, in 13 months I've not had any tankslap even up to 140(indicated which means about 123mph in reality, right?  ) Chance, what steering damper did you get? Let me know how you like it. I'll be getting one soon. | ||
| Diablobrian |
If you keep your steering bearings properly torqued, and your steering geometry close to stock you should not need a damper on the street. granted there are bikes that should have them, but the Buells do fine in most cases without one, despite how radical the numbers look on paper. the other brands of tires, Dunlop has earned a bad reputation will also aid in eliminating tank slappers. | ||
| Sgthigg |
Make sure the weight is on the rotor side on the front wheel. I just had this problem not a slapper but a loose front end at 90+. I moved the weight to the rotor side, its alittle better. | ||
| Chance |
The damper is a Hyperpro CSC I got through Hal's H-D Buell speedshop in Wisconsin. The mount is made by Hal,s and underslings the instrument cluster mount and mounts to the right fork tube just above the lower triple clamp. It might be a well made mount for a track bike with wiring going only to the tach, but this was highly difficult to install with all the wiring and ignition switch cluster and grounding screw. I am not proud of my install, but will hope the performance outways the appearance. As for the balancing weights being on the rotor side, I wish that had been posted earlier, I just got back from getting tires and the weights are on the other side @$%^& I guess I'll see how it does. I may have made a mistake, we will find out, but they pitched a tire they said is new...a Dunlop "Qualifier". I will see how they do. As soon as I get everything back together...tonight or tomorrow morning, I load up for southern Utah. The temps are suppose to be in the mid 60's by Thursday...will scrub in that day if all goes well....will keep you posted. | ||
| Chance |
P.S. Hey Cygnus, better get that policy enforced as soon as possible. The manager at Vallejo H-D/ Buell said today that I ride my XB too hard. Is there such a thing? | ||
| Cygnus_x1 |
 Them guys must ride Harleys! |
