Why do modern bikes feel so precise?

[chuck hahn]

If you want a bike that feels like it driving iteslf and all you do is sit there..then have the wife drive and sit biitch.

[tkent02]

If you want a bike that feels like it driving iteslf and all you do is sit there..then have the wife drive and sit biitch.

WTF, Chuck?

Left field much?

[Badooka]

If you want a bike that feels like it driving iteslf and all you do is sit there..then have the wife drive and sit biitch.

LMAO- so true

[John Kat]

Or modern cartridge type right side up ones.

That are lighter than the USD forks
With the added bonus of not wearing the chrome out on the fork tubes

[chuck hahn]

No Tom...A bike is made to be ridden. You know, a combined EXPERIENCE which involves some operator involvement.

To me, todays bikes are to over thought and absolutely boring. EFI, a light that signals if there dog sh!t in the road...blah blah blah. If I had a bike like that it wouldnt ever get ridden and would be unexciting. Like i said, if anyone wants a bike thats gonna do everything for you they are better off riding biitch. That way they can be unengaged and be able to gaze off into the fields and watch birdies fly by.

[Fjbj40]

No Tom...A bike is made to be ridden. You know, a combined EXPERIENCE which involves some operator involvement.

To me, todays bikes are to over thought and absolutely boring. EFI, a light that signals if there dog sh!t in the road...blah blah blah. If I had a bike like that it wouldnt ever get ridden and would be unexciting. Like i said, if anyone wants a bike thats gonna do everything for you they are better off riding biitch. That way they can be unengaged and be able to gaze off into the fields and watch birdies fly by.

I don't thing John kat was asking the bike to drive itself!

He simply was wondering why today's bikes are so much more crisp than yesteryear bikes.

You can have something that is more precise and still require as much skill as an unprecise machine.

More precise machines can have a higher limit of handling that puts the driver in a more challenging and exciting level of experience.

Take a less precise machine and you are approaching or exceeding the safety limits and you get just as thrilling a ride but nowhere near the limit of the new more precise machine.

Same idea, newer more precise, or older less precise. It's all about the level of performance one wants to reach.

If it makes you feel like a bigger man because you try to push the antiquated unprecise machine at or over its limits then great for you.

That's does not mean you can do the same to a more modern precise machine. The majority of the new super bike owners probably never approach the handling limits of their machine, nor do they sit back and gaze off into the fields. statement from chuck!

I have returned back to motorcycles this year after a 13 year hiatus. I built my 1000/1085 with a Bandit 1200 front end and rear wheel with far superior brakes and now handling. Why did I do it? For a safer superior feel and braking performance. Will I drive the bike to its limits? I doubt it very much, not for a while anyways as I am relearning how to drive again

My balls are still the same size! Actually smaller sometimes because of the power and handling that my current 1000 has over my previous 2 1000's.

Cheers

[gmansyz]

Hiya John
My opinion.
There are many factors to the more precise feel. One, the stiffer forks and swing arm. But more the better control the cartridge has over the orifice damper rods. But perhaps, it is more a function of the smaller wheel and tire with less rotating inertia? The steeper head angle and different/less trail improves the handling but could lead to "less precise" handling. And perhaps the reduction in the un sprung mass as well?
I don't consider the frame material and design a big factor on the street as you wouldn't be pushing it hard enough to find the limits. Or at least, you shouldn't be.
Isn't it all about control?
The stiffer springs do help, though just a little. The rate of dive and compression will lead to a better feeling versus the older damper rod system.
I just compare my old '07 GSXR1K to anything else and it is like light years in difference. Though I am not too thrilled about the fatigue resistance of aluminum frames.
Maybe this helps?
Laters
Greg

[tkent02]

Chuck, once again you are clueless. Go ride a new Aprilia, Hyabusa or KTM and tell me you don't need to be a rider. Go ahead, ride it hard. Push the bike to it's limits. If you can.

If anything, it requires you to be a better rider. The higher speeds and incredible power require you to be quicker, sharper, stronger, just better.
The lack of suspension problems, poor brakes and carburetion issues allows you to spend more time riding, and less time correcting for inadequate BS.

Old bikes are amusing, new bikes are amazing.

[trippivot]

technology.

I think lighter weight is the #1 factor
once a 30HP bike was 400# now a 120HP bike is 400#

rake / trail / stem offset combinations in the front geometry would be my choice for #2 make a light bike feel like it is lighter

the amount of aluminum in today's bikes which transfer vibration differently to the handlebars and foot pegs. close tie for #3

radial tires matched to the total geometry of a specific motorcycle. might be the real answer.

mild steel and floppy bias ply tires make me happy

[chuck hahn]

I find new bike styling and all the whiz bang bullcrap as boring as watching ice melt. I like what I was raised up on. Good enough then is good enough now for me.

Why do you ASSUME that I havent rode the newer bikes? I have ridden new Honda CBRs, Ducatis, An Aprillia, a few different Harleys, Gold Wings, just to name a few. And not one has won me over like the GSs have. I dont think I would even want a bike newer than say 1985 honestly.

[gmansyz]

I also forgot about the crankshaft and clutch baskets rotating inertia as well. Though these do not contribute to the precise feeling, they do help in the handling. Transition and actual turning.
Later
G

[John Kat]

I don't thing John kat was asking the bike to drive itself!

He simply was wondering why today's bikes are so much more crisp than yesteryear bikes.

You can have something that is more precise and still require as much skill as an unprecise machine.

More precise machines can have a higher limit of handling that puts the driver in a more challenging and exciting level of experience.

Take a less precise machine and you are approaching or exceeding the safety limits and you get just as thrilling a ride but nowhere near the limit of the new more precise machine.

Same idea, newer more precise, or older less precise. It's all about the level of performance one wants to reach.

If it makes you feel like a bigger man because you try to push the antiquated unprecise machine at or over its limits then great for you.

That's does not mean you can do the same to a more modern precise machine. The majority of the new super bike owners probably never approach the handling limits of their machine, nor do they sit back and gaze off into the fields. statement from chuck!

I have returned back to motorcycles this year after a 13 year hiatus. I built my 1000/1085 with a Bandit 1200 front end and rear wheel with far superior brakes and now handling. Why did I do it? For a safer superior feel and braking performance. Will I drive the bike to its limits? I doubt it very much, not for a while anyways as I am relearning how to drive again

My balls are still the same size! Actually smaller sometimes because of the power and handling that my current 1000 has over my previous 2 1000's.

Cheers

I could not have worded a better answer
Thanks!

[chuck hahn]

My comment wasnt worded toward John..was directed at the new bikes as a whole....boring and unengaging.

[derwood]

Modern bikes, (when referenced against the GS suzuki's) are any thing less than 20 or25 years
Modern bikes feel more precise and planted, mostly because the wheels are in full contact with the ground more of the time than with the GS pogo stick over sprung under damped p.o.s. "Suspension systems"There are other factors, but suspension is the most significant.specifically spring rates and damping.
I don't believe the "styling and whiz bang bull crap"has anything to do with precise planted handling.

[chuck hahn]

If a GS isnt solid enough then it needs some maintenance.
None of mine bounce, jump, jiggle, wander, weave, twitch, slouch or anything else. Go from 0 to full open and nothing but fun.