Why am I drifting in turns?

Question

Perhaps you can help me with some advice. I got the feeling that my tires are slippery, especially in the rain.

I went out this past weekend to Bear Mountain. Checked inflation before I left in the morning, the tires were about 1 lb. over recommended pressure at 70 degrees F. Tires were fine all day in the twisties as temperatures hit the mid 90's. The bike leaned over very far without complaints. Chicken strips ground mostly off, leaving only a partially worn 0.5" on either side.

But on the way back, it cooled off to about the 60's, and I started to drifting. I was practicing staying in a tire track and so wasn't trying to find the apex, just sweep smoothly along the outside tire track with even throttle. I felt that I was drifting, but wasn't sure. On one right turn at about 45 mph, it started to really drift and I was somewhat concerned about crossing the double-yellow. I didn't want to high-side or low side, so I left the throttle alone and lightly feathered the front brake. Immediately, the front dug in, and the nose pointed further in (right). I held the steering steady and then the rear smoothly caught traction and the Ninja eased itself towards the inside of the turn.

Any comments on what was right or wrong about what I did? Should I have been trying to use trailing throttle going into all turns and accelerate smoothly out of them, even when not cutting apexes?

Do you think my tires were creeping along because they became under-inflated due to the lower temperatures or the shady road surfaces being cold? Or conversely, could the tires have become over-heated because I was riding them for 5 hours straight without stopping except once for gas? Or could the Battlax BT-020 sport touring tires need to be ridden really hard to warm up and keep warm? Should I replace them with another brand or class of tires?

Many thanks for your input, especially if I can't acknowledge your individual comments or select a best answer. I have trouble with this sometimes.

Answer 1

There's a big difference between 90s and 60s for road temperature, and in all likelihood your tires were much cooler, too - especially if you weren't driving aggressively any more, and cooler tires aren't as sticky.

Sounds like you handled the situation well, though.

Answer 2

You should make sure your using the right sized tire. A tire too wide or with a different aspect ratio is going to handle differently.

Answer 3

Yikes, tricky question. Since I've never had a drifting problem to speak of (except for that one time with gravel on the road, long story), I cant say for sure.

However, offhand it might be the compound is pretty hard, since its OEM and optimized for street riding and not hard leaning and throttle work, under cold conditions they will not soften up and grip as quickly.

Since its a stock bike and street, unless you're planning to make it a weekend racer type deal, keep the tires and find a bigger displacement ride for track days if possible.

Answer 4

What was your psi?

Always hold a steady throttle in the corner. Hammer it on the way out

I would use the rear brake to tighten my line in the corner

Never ride the outside groove in a rt hand corner

Your 020's are fine on that bike. I loved them on my ZRX1200R.

The rear lit up nicely on exits and I never pushed the fron ton those tires. They were shot after 2800 miles.

Never run street pressures in the mountains carving.

36 psi cold will be 50+ carving the corners. Which could produce your side

\My guess is your dreaming it and it is not happening    

  

Answer 5

personally I like the pirelli diablo strada, great grip all around.

if you have a smaller bike like a 600, you might want to look into some metzeler m3's. they are VERY grippy, but burn off quickly if you have a liter machine or bigger...

Answer 6

Go with Mags tires

And ck your shocks and fork tubes for equal action the could have a weak spot that is letting it get out from under you