front end sliding on wet / slick roads

[Sivart_R1]

Just finished my first commute in the rain on this bike. Is it normal for the front end to be very loose on wet and slick roads? I have a few higher speed sweepers (curved onramp to freeway, junction between freeways from westbound to northbound) and each time around the faster corners I could feel the front wheel start to slide out. I wasn't taking these very fast, and didn't feel much or any sliding from the rear.

For comparison, I was able to take these same corners in the rain on my previous bike (kawasaki zx-6r) at or above freeway speed even in the wet, and today I was nervous over about 40 mph.

Thanks,
Travis

 

[Gunner]

Make sure the tire is on in the right direction.

 

[14POSE]

Check your tire pressure?

Tire pressure check?

 

[Aviator5456]

Just finished my first commute in the rain on this bike. Is it normal for the front end to be very loose on wet and slick roads? I have a few higher speed sweepers (curved onramp to freeway, junction between freeways from westbound to northbound) and each time around the faster corners I could feel the front wheel start to slide out. I wasn't taking these very fast, and didn't feel much or any sliding from the rear.

For comparison, I was able to take these same corners in the rain on my previous bike (kawasaki zx-6r) at or above freeway speed even in the wet, and today I was nervous over about 40 mph.

Thanks,
Travis

Having lived in that area for a number of years I know what you mean. Before my SGS, I had a Heritage Classic and I would take those roads with no problem during the rain. After I got my Street Glide, I felt like I needed to slow down, especially on the surface streets. I know the streets get pretty slick from the green stuff that grows on them, but also from the oil from other vehicles and tends to float on top of the water. The main highways, I5, 167, 405 I wasn't worried as much as they get a lot of traffic and not much chance of algae growing but on some of the surface streets going up the East Hill-Meridian S 212th scared the dickens out of me, especially since that street has some deep rutting. I think part of the difference is the weight of the bike is much heavier than your (or mine) previous bike and the CG is a bit higher making it feel less unstable.

The best you can do is make sure your tire pressure is correct and don't ride in the middle of the lane, ride in the worn tire path from other vehicles and watch it when you stop that you don't put your feet down in a big oil slick...or painted areas of the street.....good luck.

 

[Sivart_R1]

The main highways, I5, 167, 405 I wasn't worried as much as they get a lot of traffic and not much chance of algae growing but on some of the surface streets going up the East Hill-Meridian S 212th scared the dickens out of me,

Wow, you were close to where I'm at now - East hill at ~196th.

I checked pressures, and I was a couple pounds low, which I've fixed. I also replaced the almost completely worn dunlop with a brand new Commander II on the rear - not that it'll help with the front pushing, but I felt like I had actual traction on a wet I5.

This may just be the winter I slow down and relax a bit.

 

[Aviator5456]

Wow, you were close to where I'm at now - East hill at ~196th.

I checked pressures, and I was a couple pounds low, which I've fixed. I also replaced the almost completely worn dunlop with a brand new Commander II on the rear - not that it'll help with the front pushing, but I felt like I had actual traction on a wet I5.

This may just be the winter I slow down and relax a bit.

I lived on 223rd and 116th....