Front Wheel Mod

[rktmanfj]

   I know the 17" front is more stable (especially 2 up) but doesn't  the 16" front steer a lot quicker?
It seem like my 1100 (with a 16" front) will turn back and forth very quickly with very little effort, but the
1200's with a 17 are quite a bit slower moving from one side to the other.

If you don't adjust the rear suspension when you ride two up, it's gonna steer slower (& feel more stable).

I'm gonna guess that the difference in weight between the 16" and 17" will allow it to turn quicker, all else equal.

I've never weighed the fronts, but the rear wheel swap nets like a 6 lb  (unsprung) weight reduction.  Even if it is only half that on the front wheels, it is significant.

Someone please point out the obvious if I am off the mark here.

Randy T
Indy

[racerman_27410]

   I know the 17" front is more stable (especially 2 up) but doesn't  the 16" front steer a lot quicker?
It seem like my 1100 (with a 16" front) will turn back and forth very quickly with very little effort, but the
1200's with a 17 are quite a bit slower moving from one side to the other.

that 16" will also stand straight up if you touch the brakes in a corner ....... the 17" eliminates that completely


Kookaloo!

[derbybrit1]

that 16" will also stand straight up if you touch the brakes in a corner ....... the 17" eliminates that completely


Kookaloo!

So 16" wheels will make my bike wheelie if I touch the brakes in a corner?  Sounds scary.

[FJmonkey]

So 16" wheels will make my bike wheelie if I touch the brakes in a corner?  Sounds scary.

He meant under steer....that is if you really missed his point, did I miss your irony in that last comment? I had a sphincter puckering moment from this when sweeping through a right hander, not too fast, letting two faster riders pass on my left. A chipmunk/ground squirrel darted into my path, grabbed both brakes to lose some speed in case I hit it. The bike felt like it was hit by wind and straightened up from the lean (Pucker). Damn glad the bikes had already passed or I would have clipped one or both making a mess of all of us. My 86' CBR 600 had front and rear 17" and much less of this issue. It still wanted to stand up in the corners but it was easy to manage. As funds allow I am upgrading to 17", I have the rear wheel but not all the bits to change over. The front will be much more costly with new brakes and emulators. Maybe I can wheelie in the corners with my 17"s on? The rubber will be much better.

[carsick]

    but the 1200's with a 17 are quite a bit slower moving from one side to the other.

Even mine Travis? Because I thought it switched directions plenty quick... I imagine your 1100 turns quicker due to the reduced gyroscopic counterforce afforded by the lighter 1100 rotating assembly. That must be it.
Doug

[racerman_27410]

that 16" will also stand straight up if you touch the brakes in a corner ....... the 17" eliminates that completely


Kookaloo!

So 16" wheels will make my bike wheelie if I touch the brakes in a corner?  Sounds scary.

  Hey MArk!

hell yes you wanna be carefull with the brakes at all times 

  did ya crack 200 @ Texas ?


KOokaloo!


Frank

[Klavdy]

that 16" will also stand straight up if you touch the brakes in a corner ....... the 17" eliminates that completely


Kookaloo!

So 16" wheels will make my bike wheelie if I touch the brakes in a corner?  Sounds scary.

HEY!
Don't touch that front brake, buddy.
It'll buck you right off.

[FJmonkey]

that 16" will also stand straight up if you touch the brakes in a corner ....... the 17" eliminates that completely


Kookaloo!

So 16" wheels will make my bike wheelie if I touch the brakes in a corner?  Sounds scary.

HEY!
Don't touch that front brake, buddy.
It'll buck you right off.

Klavdy's pine cone was much quicker than my ground squirrel, I only mess up the inside of my leathers where other cannot see.

[RichBaker]

  I know the 17" front is more stable (especially 2 up) but doesn't  the 16" front steer a lot quicker?
It seem like my 1100 (with a 16" front) will turn back and forth very quickly with very little effort, but the
1200's with a 17 are quite a bit slower moving from one side to the other.

You're correct.... the 16" wheel was a Moto GP derivation, and if you follow Moto GP, you know that they are running 16.5" wheels. They give the quicker turn-in of the 16"ers, and the stability of a 17"er, sorta.... they went back and forth a few times and finally settled on that solution.