Hey there! Thanks for your helpful answers! I'm 170, not that one should ask a chick that question...I figured the bike was rated at least at 300 or 350, but the bike itself is only about 350 lbs, I think, so I wouldn't dare load it with more weight than that, jesus...I took a similarly sized friend for a ride in the fall and it was terrifyingly squiggly under me. That and she kept wiggling and shifting her weight. Oh god, oh god, oh god. I hate giving rides to people who don't know what they're doing. No amount of "don't you dare move back there, and just do what I do" is effective. They always seem to think that "just getting comfortable" mid-ride is okay, and go ahead and hitch their backside three inches this way and that about once a block. *facepalm* That on a bike that probably needs it's shocks stiffened up/more pressure in the rear tire...I've been inadvertently flirting with disaster, it would seem.
On Monday, February 18, 2013 1:13:09 PM UTC-6, Allen wrote: > > Welcome, I'll try to answer as best I can. > 1. Pressure is marked on the side wall probably 42 PSI, don't overfill you > can break a belt in the tire and that will cause a blister which will make > the tire out of round. Check for leaks with a sponge and soapy water, be > sure to check the spokes and valve stem. > > 2. How heavy are you? The bike should be rated for at least 300 LBS. You > can tighten up the pre-load on the shocks with a spanner. I rode my 750 1 > click down from full hard. Bikes with twin shocks and skinny swingarms > "wiggle" under you when your riding hard enough to lean them, just get used > to it or get a sports bike. > > 3. The carbs are probably a bit dirty, put a can of seafoam in a couple of > tanks and it will probably go away. You could also adjust the carb fuel > screws, or better yet remove them and give them a thorough cleaning. > > Good luck. > Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T > ------------------------------ > *From: * Christy Deering <[email protected] <javascript:>> > *Sender: * [email protected] <javascript:> > *Date: *Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:37:17 -0800 (PST) > *To: *<[email protected] <javascript:>> > *ReplyTo: * [email protected] <javascript:> > *Subject: *[Nighthawk Lovers] Rear tire slow leak/whole bike feels > "squishy" under me/backfire > > Hi folks! > > I just stumbled on this forum, and thought I'd ask a few questions while > I'm at it. Correct me if I should make separate posts about these three > issues I've been having. :) > > 1. First off, I'm riding a 2007 Nighthawk 250. I noticed a slow rear tire > leak shortly after I had the tire replaced about 8 or 9 months ago. I took > it in to the shop that replaced the tire, they exhaustively searched for a > leak, but couldn't find one. They told me the tire was safe to ride on, and > that I should just keep an eye on the pressure. Ideally, what should I be > keeping the tire pressure at? I feel like that's a dumb girl question, but > let me explain - is it better to overfill the tire a bit so I can go longer > in between trips to the air pump, or is that a terrible idea as far as > traction/handling? > > 2. I'm 5'9", and I feel too tall for my Nighthawk, as much as I love it. > The whole bike has always felt rather "squishy" under me, and I don't > really trust it in the corners not to slip out from under me to some > extent, even on dry, happy pavement. Is this something that could be > adjusted, or am I stuck on a bike I don't fully trust because I'm too > *gasp* big for it? My self esteem is doin just fine, feel free to give it > to me straight if you have any input. :) > > 3. Gladys (the Nighthawk) has been backfiring lately. Could this be a > dirty carb issue? Should I attempt to clean things/do this on my own, or > would you recommend a trip to the shop? I've never done anything to a bike > other than change the oil, though I would love to learn more as I go. Being > self-sufficient with bike repair is my ultimate goal, I just haven't had a > lot of chances in the year I've owned the Nighthawk. Which is probably a > good thing, ultimately. > > Thanks, fellas! > - Christy > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected] <javascript:>. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]<javascript:> > . > Visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en-US. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. > > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
