Fishtailing on it's own to a small degree | GTAMotorcycle.com

Fishtailing on it's own to a small degree

OmegaBravo7

OmegaBravo7

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Perhaps it's just me or in my head but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Went out for a ride today (man, it was beautiful) and noticed the back of my bike ('02 gsxr 750) felt like it was veering off every now and then to one side. The only way I can explain it is you know when you hit the back brake alone and hard your rear fishtails from side to side --- this is the feeling I get just by riding without tapping brakes. It's not extreme but it is noticeable to the point where I pull over and check tire pressure or for tire looseness or something. I'm not handy with bikes nor experienced, is this a possible real occurrence or more likely imagining it?


Suggestions on bike mechanics would be great, I'm in the Etobicoke area (not Rosey Toes though)
 
Sounds like wheel bearings starting to go. I'd pm Frekeyguy if you can't do the work yourself.
 
Could also be swing arm bearings/bushings. Put your bike on its center stand and try wiggling the wheel sideways. There shouldn't be any movement in that side to side direction.
 
You sure you're not riding over road snakes (those tar strips they pour into cracks in the asphalt...)? They can get pretty gooey and pliable with heat and sunlight and can be odd to roll over.
 
Schneller, I don't have a center stand to check for wobble, I could only check while tire was sitting on floor.
Blacfin, I'm pretty sure that's not the case

Sent Frekeguy a PM, hopefully I'd get it looked after sooner than later
 
The wheel has to be off the ground to check for bearing play.
Liked stated the road snakes can be nasty. I hit some wide ones coming out of west port on 10 and felt just like I had bearing play.
 
I vote tire pressure as well. Also if you need a general mechanic check rosey tose at wilson and jane.

If you're a new rider, dont grip the handle bar tight when its fish tailing. Let the bike correct itself, be gentle on the throttle.

I also check wheel bearing.
 
I hate this feeling, because it's been so many different problems for me over the years. Examples of things that this feeling was a symptom of:
-Seat not firmly locking into place (PO reversed a seat bracket somehow)
-Very low rear tire pressure (imminent flat)
-Bike blowing an oil line feeding the oil cooler and coating the tire (no loss of pressure to engine thankfully)

I'm gonna suggest Ted anyway because this would be a softball for him
 
Two50noob said:
Honestly coming out of winter storage this is the first thing I would be checking then move on the the other suggestions.
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lol. I took my bike out of winter storage and took it down the street for a quick rip to clean the bugs out and my rear end felt like it wasn't in line with the front, even a hair bit of lean angle and it felt like it stepped out then stuck fine. Gave the tire a kick, looked fine! When I got back to my house I put a pressure gauge on it and it was at 13 psi! haha. Next time I'll check it BEFORE I ride.
 
johnscruiser said:
lol. I took my bike out of winter storage and took it down the street for a quick rip to clean the bugs out and my rear end felt like it wasn't in line with the front, even a hair bit of lean angle and it felt like it stepped out then stuck fine. Gave the tire a kick, looked fine! When I got back to my house I put a pressure gauge on it and it was at 13 psi! haha. Next time I'll check it BEFORE I ride.
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Joined: Jan 2014
Over 1000 posts

Looks like you store your bike and post here instead. I would feel bad for the damn tires.
 
OmegaBravo7 said:
Schneller, I don't have a center stand to check for wobble, /QUOTE]

What you need is a car jack and a pillow.

<joke>

your complete motorcycle maintenance kit also includes vice grips, a cross screwdriver, a hammer, and grease for your axilsticks. ;)
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Last edited:
Fish tail? J. Bass to the courtesy phone.
 
cool said:
Joined: Jan 2014
Over 1000 posts

Looks like you store your bike and post here instead. I would feel bad for the damn tires.
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Me too! I only did 1600km last year. Posting here is way funner.
 
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