Heavy / sticky streering on XT600e - possible reasons?
 

Hi

my previous couple encounterings to this thing was caused by lowered tire pressure on the paved roads.

for now, that's definitely not the air, moreover, as far as I was able to observe during cornering, visually sidewall doesn't seem compress more than a normal..

I started noticing it soon since started riding after winter sleep.

I have shinko 50/50 kit, with that one on the front
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....BL._SY355_.jpg

Age is about 8 months and rear is getting almost worn, front one is visually ok and previously I hoped that it could serve about 1/2 life of next rear as well, according to present condition.

With the front end up in the air, I tried to inspect the condition of steering bearings -
standing in front of the bike, holding both forks (middle side, where the fork boots are), meanwhile pushing bike back and up simultaneously and turning forks in this way.

Thing is, that I can't notice any bumps or resistance somewhere in the steering range. Only thing I feel is flexing resistance of electrical/meter cables.
also, tire profile seems round and there's no visually noticeable sign of "squaring"

So, here the questions go -
Is it a proper way to check steering bearings?
How reliable is visual observation on tire profile in order to find is it squared or not?
what else to inspect at first? wheel bearings? still trying another tire? weight distribution?

If you have slack in the bearing and have bike up in the air you will only stess the top bearing, tighten up the nut to correct torque before testing. Maybe the lower bearing is failing. Wheel bearings is always importan to test, check for correct air pressure on tire.

wheel bearings - that was the reason.
knocked old ones out, replaced with skf's ones and happy again.
:mchappy:
still wondering, except disassembling or "ride feelings", is there a proper / valid way to check condition of steering bearings?

Remove front fork and set the correct torque of the steering bearings. You can then check for play up/down also. Its easy to feel any drag like you did on the wheel when testing bearings worn. Not saying you cant do this with wheel and fork in place, but you will get a better feeling when nothing is attach. And if you do it the way removing fork take the time and remove everything so you can inspect bearings and maybe change or lube them.

What I was tought taking my license many years ago was: Sit on the bike with the front wheel up against a wall, and push the bike forward. This will tell you if the bearings are loose. You'll feel a small klonk/knocking sound.

Fit a stand or simular under the bike, to get the front wheel of the ground. Now turn the handlebar from side to side. You feel if its dragging, often theres a spot in the middle thats notchy when worn.

I grease mine about once a year, and change the fork oil at the same time.

Thanks guys
: )
for now steering is fine, but somehow missed greasing of bearings during the winter while had much better opportunity.
Because of oil, these bearings used to get hot enough after couple of hours of riding and I definitely have to take some time and effort to provide proper care..