Motorcycle Repair: Vmax handling problem, worn bearings, fork brace

Question
I have a 1989 model Yamaha Vmax. When i am riding the bike and negotiating a turn on either sides, a little turn of the handle bar will cause the handle to move hard over and i need to counter steer quite a bit. There is no problems if the bike is going on a straight course. Some say it is the tires, others misaligned forks or worn bearings. I am using Dunlop F20 tires and they look pretty good except the center area where the finest groove is almost gone. Appreciate your feedback on this. Thanks

Answer
Hi Patrick,

The frame on these bikes is less rigid than
most race type bike frames and the wheelbase is longer
which adds flex.

There is some flex in the front forks which can be
stiffened with a heavier gauge fork brace.
A big improvement is adding some progressive
fork springs as the stock ones are weak and the forks dive.
Early model (1985 - 1992) - Progressive part# 11-1129

It is also important on these bikes to use tires
which are very round, by that I mean the center
profile should not be flat.
The original tires are quite rounded in profile
and were made to improve the VMax handling.

Vmax rear wheel is offset to the right by ten millimeters
to help the tire clear the swingarm on the drive side.
This may have some adverse effect on the handling.

Use about 10-12 psi in the air forks
and 20 weight fork oil.
and set the rear suspension stiff.

This is about all you can do since these bikes
are better at going in straight lines than cornering.

Wayne S
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