| Author | Message | ||
     Midknyte |
Inner ear balance kind of question. Current bike, XB9R. Previous bike, Honda 250VTR. One of many things that drew me to the XB9R was it's similar dimensions and weight to my VTR, albeit more aggressive rake and wheelbase. In riding my XB, one thing that I from time to time notice is a pronounced feeling of forward momentum. I'm not breaking any speed limits, nor am I always riding aggressively when this happens. On more than one occasion now, catching a groove in the road has caused me a dizzy spell - small, but disturbing. I stop and take a break... These things do not happen all the time, but you know how it goes - more than twice and it sets you to wondering... So I wonder and I ask - is this a phsycological response to riding a larger bike? Or more likely, does everyone think I ought to be heading in for a physical? | ||
| Kevyn |
How's your health insurance? Go for the physical. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
It sounds as if from the vageries of your description (not sure if I understand what you mean by "forward momentum" ) but it could be an existing medical condition aggravated by the more forward riding position of the XB vs VTR. (Message edited by wyckedflesh on September 27, 2004) | ||
| Midknyte |
Strongly considering. I want to add tho, that if I switch back to the VTR (which I still own), none of this happens... | ||
| Rocketman |
I take it that's a serious question dude? About five years ago I was stood in my workshop about to do some work on the bench when all of a sudden the wall in front of me started to fall toward me. When I realised in a split second it was I that was falling forward towards the bench, hence the wall, I went completely dizzy and dived, and I mean dived, toward the floor. I just couldn't stand up but didn't know why - or how to. I lay there for a few seconds when I realised the world had stopped spinning. God knows what happened. I went to the 'well mans clinic' - several times. Blood pressure, heart rate, whatever, all normal. Nothing unusual. This strange phenomena carried on from time to time over the next couple of years or more. In fact, the last major spell I had was when I was belting down the main straight during the Buell Benelux track day at Croix in France and suddenly feeling that strange sensation of the world turning upside down. I heaved on the brakes hard and pulled the S1W to a stop, just before the turn-in point for the right chicane. With both feet firmly planted on the floor I fought to keep a hold of my composure. I managed, then carefully made my way to the pits. I sat the rest of the day out. I don't know what happened to me that day, or any other day, when this strange thing happened. Suffice to say, I haven't had a 'turn' like that for a couple or three years now. Perhaps I'll never know what was going on. Good luck. Rocket | ||
| Gschuette |
I am no doctor so I'm not gonna play it but I've heard of people getting dizzy if they didn't eat in a while or if they did eat it was junk. Maybe it is just that your not properly fuelling up before a ride and by coincidence you are riding the Buell. | ||
| Black_sunshine |
Could be an inner ear/vertigo issue. Any headaches? If it is vertigo then the riding position could affect it. I'm no Dr. and I don't play one on t.v. I did stay at a Holiday Inn Select once! | ||
| Outrider |
If you are wearing ear plugs under your helmet, they could effect your sense of balance, etc. Test ride without them or with cotton lightly packed in your ear to cut the wind noise and see if there is a difference. The reason I suggested this is I wear full ear molds under my helmet and sometimes they effect my sense of balance a little. Not often, but it is alarming when it happens which is the reason I always carry the cotton balls with me as well. Also had similar effects when I first started riding after a bad crash I had in 1993. Think it was more psychological than anything else. It would hit me when I felt something uneasy around me on the bike. I didn't even have to be going fast, it was like a sixth sense that was attached to some panic button. Eventually it went away and I attribute it to regaining confidence on a bike again which was the result of my finally understanding what I did wrong that got me airlifted to the hospital. Is also the reason, I dislike reading the accident reports on the BWB. It hurts to see others making the same mistakes. | ||
| Dino |
A physical is always a good idea if something untoward is happening. One thought. Does this only happen when you're on the XB? If so, I'm wondering if it has to do with the front tire. Certain tread patterns will follow grooves and irregularities on the road in such a way as to make the bike suddenly seem very unsettled. I suppose that might be sufficient to cause a queasy, dizzy feeling if it happens unexpectedly. Just a thought. But I still vote for the physical. | ||
| Gschuette |
When in doubt see the Doc. Pretty nice line, eh? | ||
| Shky_jake |
I suffer from low blood sugar. Hypoglycima(sp). I get the same feelings when I have been riding a lot and not eating right or drinking enough fluid. See a doc and get your blood sugar leavel checked. I went years with out knowing I suffer from low blood sugar. If you get your blood checked and are not suffering from what you described then it will not show up. A good check is when you are feeling dizzy drink a glass of OJ. If you are no longer dizzy the you might suffer from low blood sugar. BTW Hypoglycima is the oppisite of Diabetic. If untreated or not controled by what you eat and drink you can turn in to a diabetic. Just a thought.. | ||
| M1combat |
Concerning Dino's post - The front will certainly tramline a bit when underinflated. I fail to see how this would cause dizzyness, so I vote for a visit to the Doc and check the tire pressures. | ||
| Midknyte |
Yes, I was wearing earplugs. Also, per Wycked' response to this thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/76580.html?1096315941 My front fork settings may be too deep. After reading that, I can sort of relate this to riding "after" my last suspension check & change.  I'm sitting at 2 1/2 lines right now, where before I was at the first. For reference, I weigh 140 lbs. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Those rings are the alignement rings. Stock has the triples down against the retaining ring which is where you are showing it. Mine sat another half inch LOWER down the tree. EDIT: I am counting 7.5 lines of preload from your pic above...At 140lbs the book is recommending 6 lines of preload, 1.75 turns out on Compression, 1.625 turns out in Rebound Front and Position 2 on Preload for the rear shock with 1.75 turns out in Compression and 1.50 turns out on Rebound. At 7.5 lines of preload you may very well be set soft enough the bike is diving forward at speed when the wind hits the fairing just right. (Message edited by wyckedflesh on September 28, 2004) | ||
| M1combat |
Hmmm, that front pre-load certainly seems pretty light to me... I'd set it by the book. Did you mean 1.25 turns out on the front rebound Wycked? | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Table 1-9 Recommended Suspension Settings for Rider Weight PG 1-31 2004 Service Manual Firebolt Models...Front rebound 140-160LB 1.625 | ||
| Rocketman |
Man, you guys are making me dizzy! Rocket | ||
| U4euh |
Hey I suffer from Kidney failure. Along with it came what they call Minears Disease. Something I had but showed its ugly head with Dialysis. Every now and then I also would get a dizzy spell. Have your doc consider fluid on your inner ear. Riding position with the difference in engine vibrations might be stirring something up. Just a thought! | ||
| Midknyte |
Yes, compression is set soft in an effort to be similar to my VTR. I'd noticed a bit of a dive while braking and was considering stiffening it back up a bit. I did not know that it could cause this detrimental effect on normal riding (non braking). Thanks. I will change this and check my front tire pressure too. I'm due for a physical anyway. Will add that to the list of things to do. Thank you all again for being an incredible resource. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Midknyte your comparing suspension settings from a 308lb motorcycle with those of a 450lb motorcycle. A 55inch Wheelbase VS a 52inch wheelbase, I can't find the rake and trail to compare but what I am getting at is that what feels nice and soft on the VTR is going to feel wallowy on the XB. On preload for the front each level of the chart differs by half a line with the exception of below 140 which is a full line of preload. Set it up at the stock settings, try it, and if that is too stiff, then back the preload off by half a line and try that. | ||
| Hans |
Menière is the name connected with sudden attacks of vertigo. To call it the (full blown) disease of Menière, you need to have at least three main symptoms. Causes for Menière-like conditions you can find here: http://www.menieresinfo.com/diagnosis.html Apart from that: It is a known fact that seasickness on a sailing yacht can be cured sometimes by activating the patient, who has already his head between his hands, looking downward, with closed eyes. Let him steer. He is forced then to keep his head upright and to integrate the ship movements in his system. Very well possible that a more downward position of the head will trigger sudden dizziness at sensible persons. Hans | ||
| Midknyte |
The comments on the suspension settings I have are helpful. The conflicting signals my brain is receiving of the front end of my bike diving in response to wind or engine braking as opposed to an expected dive under my own actions (braking for instance). It makes sense that this might be a/the culprit. |
