Chris, Can I assume your note on handling was in response to my original expressed concerns on the low speed problems I was experiencing.
If not your comments are still of interest. If yes you will have noted that I am, as yet, a low mileage newcomer to big heavy powerful bikes, and my newly acquired GTS was making me think that at my age I had left it far to late to be attempting to charge around on something which was more in control than I was. It was fighting me all the way. I had set up the pressures in accordance with the handbook, 36psi front and rear. The tyres by the way are a curious mix, MEZ1 130/60 front and a BT57 180/55 rear, both in what appears to be good condition. The first ride had me concerned, it fought turning and at low speed in addition to the balking there was a weave in a straight line. At speed in a straight line it felt slightly nervous. Following a long run to try and build up some confidence, I finished the day completely knacked and glad I had made it back in one piece. It was dreadful. The front tyre had dropped to 35psi. I parked the bike up and went out on my Z650 to prove to myself that the problem wasn't me. It didn't appear to be so. On advice from a number of GTSers I bumped the front up to 38psi and tried again. The bike is now great and a joy to ride. The cure was so simple as to be ridiculous. However, believe me it will be some time, if ever, before I will be attacking corners in the manner you describe. I know what you say about the stability of the bike in a high speed turn is accurate as before I bought my machine I rode as pillion on another one and he scared me witless. I would not have believed that any bike could turn as fast and still stay on the road. And that with two completely shot tyres. At my age I will continue wobbling along. Regards Tom T ----- Original Message ----- From: "cmoody" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 11:54 PM Subject: handling problems? I have a GTS as well as an Aprilia SL1000, now the SL is supposed to be the sports bike! The GTS uses Bridgestone Battalax tyres 120 frt. and 180 rear both @36 psi and I can get the GTS through most bends quicker than the SL 1000, one bend near my village is a very nice right hand sweeping bend that just goes on and on so of course you get riding it, like you do!! faster and faster and then some!! The SL is running pilot sports, sticky tyres,@ 120 mph it gets a wiggle at the apex and you start to feel your pants getting warm ! the GTS , now the GTS sits in the bend perfectly smooth @ 130 ish with the footpeg just starting to tickle the tarmac ,I'm only 5ft 6 and not that big but you have to get used to the bike for a bit then just take it by the bars and chuck it in to bends , it will go and it will stick where most "sports" bikes wiggle ,you just have to show it who's the boss first. You need to find that perfect bend and do as I did , just get faster and lower each time, happy riding!! it's a great bike once you get used to the weight. regards Chris
