[RotoRooterGuy]

Ummm... I'm not sure how to suggest this...

The ST4 behaves like a bike should.. If you apply the brakes mid corner 99% of bikes will stand up... they just DO.. If you really HAVE to brake IN a corner.. you can apply a little rear.. it won't stand up but you run the risk of high siding..

Please tell me WHY you are braking IN the corner..

Also please read and re-read Keith Code's Twist of the wrist.. then Twist of the wrist II.. then read them both again.


Mal

The above is right on, especially Code's book.

Even thinking about braking in a corner gives me cold sweats at night. I mean it, when I have had bike nightmares, some have included braking in a turn.

I can't count on one-half of one hand the number of times I had to. Once it was to avoid going straight off a cliff [went too fast into the turn ]. But generally, I don't like and avoid braking in a turn.

And speaking about braking, how many of you use mostly the front brake? I do. Besides, my rear brakes cause me nothing but trouble. I find I am a better rider by pretending there is no rear brake causing me to use the engine and front brake more than both front and rear brakes, albeit I have practiced downshifting, and max front and rear brakes to see how quickly I can stop without losing control or to see how steep a hill I can stop on, here in San Francisco.

 

[RotoRooterGuy]

Hi Jim,

Please don’t take any of my input as being critical and I apologize if it was stating the obvious, I had no intention of talking down to your riding ability. I felt I may have a good perspective on your question as I have over 100K miles logged on the two BMW motorcycles I once owned. I transitioned to the Ducatis in 1999 any am working to that point with about 60k miles logged on those. We live and ride in the Appalachian mountains and ride twisty roads enough to understand where you are coming from with your (what I considered to be) very cool question. Having ridden street bikes extensively since the late 70s I know that I am still on a fairly steep learning curve and I certainly do not consider myself to be any kind of great rider. I do try to be a student of the game and really enjoy trying to become better at it as well as learning to better understand what happens when I ride. I started racing in the AHRMA BOTT ( battle of the twins) series on my 748 a few years ago (as a professional back-marker) just to get more track time so I can learn a little more.

I for one am always very interested to discuss any issues related to riding and chassis dynamics and look forward to learning from each opportunity. I am certainly no expert.

I suggest you check out the front and rear ride height and sag settings on your bike, it may well have been played with. If the previous owner flattentd the center of the tires, that too could be making the bike act strange.

You posts are most informative and helpful. Thanks for taking the time to publish the information. Hopefully, some of the lesser-informed members will take the time to learn from your experience and knowledge.