Mine is the opposite. In the air it’s barely detectable and adjustment seems spot on (falls freely side to side with a nudge). But it’s apparent when riding especially slow speeds. When braking and the head bearing are loaded it is very noticeable. I have tried adjusting and thought it was resolved but it’s def still there. I priced the bearing and all in it’s less than $50 for good bearings and a new lower seal. Foolish I know to spend any money fixing a bike with 160 miles but 1) I want my bike back on the road in less than two weeks and 2) I want to know it’s done right. The dealer left a battery side cover bolt out as well as overinflated the front tire soooo my confidence in them is not high.
2023 base model steering issues
180 miles on a new base model and I have a steering question. First, yes, I'm still on the stock tires.
At slow speeds, neighborhood speeds 15-20 MPH, the bike needs a push to get it to turn in. It feels like there's a catch in the steering head bearing. At a stop, it all feels and turns smoothly. I've tried tire pressures from the as-delivered 21/21 PSI to 30/30 with no change in steering feel. I can't see anything rubbing in the fender area. The only known issue is that the dealer didn't fasten the brake hose in that little clamp by the fender. I pressed it into place and it doesn't seem to matter.
Any ideas?
At slow speeds, neighborhood speeds 15-20 MPH, the bike needs a push to get it to turn in. It feels like there's a catch in the steering head bearing. At a stop, it all feels and turns smoothly. I've tried tire pressures from the as-delivered 21/21 PSI to 30/30 with no change in steering feel. I can't see anything rubbing in the fender area. The only known issue is that the dealer didn't fasten the brake hose in that little clamp by the fender. I pressed it into place and it doesn't seem to matter.
Any ideas?
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What you describe sounds very similar to what I am experiencing. Wondering if I should just have the bearing replaced?Mine is the opposite. In the air it’s barely detectable and adjustment seems spot on (falls freely side to side with a nudge). But it’s apparent when riding especially slow speeds. When braking and the head bearing are loaded it is very noticeable. I have tried adjusting and thought it was resolved but it’s def still there. I priced the bearing and all in it’s less than $50 for good bearings and a new lower seal. Foolish I know to spend any money fixing a bike with 160 miles but 1) I want my bike back on the road in less than two weeks and 2) I want to know it’s done right. The dealer left a battery side cover bolt out as well as overinflated the front tire soooo my confidence in them is not high.
Have you had your dealer look at it? My dealer situation is hopefully unique and I would advise normal folks to go that route first. As someone else stated, it’s important Kawasaki is aware of this.
Sounds like mine did before I loosened it. No notch and it turned fine. But when you turned it a little from center while lifted it would just stay instead of going on around. Loosened about 1/8 (little more) and have ridden about 7 days. Drives right.I don't know what it going on with mine. When I jack it up I don't feel a notch, but while riding it, decelerating & accelerating from a stop it has a drunken wobble. Turns can be ... exciting... because it will either wobble or feel like it has a notch and fights me.
The issue seems to get worse as the ride goes on. Not too bad from the start, but by the end of the ride it is kind of hairy getting home. Jack it up, the steering seems to go lock to lock with no notch. Feels smooth.
In my case, in answer to @Swamps question, I haven't had a bike with a wheel smaller than 21" since 2011 when I traded my Sprint ST for a Tiger 800 XC. So it definitely isn't a matter of not being used to the 21" front wheel for sure. The current bikes in the garage are an Africa Twin, KTM 690 Enduro, KTM 890 Adventure, and the "drunk" KLR 🤣
When driving it felt like you would start the turn then all of a sudden with no further input the bike just turned hard. And only happened to the right. Only 1 out of every 10 or 20 curve.
I have had a 2018, 2021, and now the 2023 KLR S. While turning at slow speeds it felt like the front tire was sliding on a wet road but the road was dry. Then I thought the tire was going flat. I have jacked up the front and the tire swings left to right smoothly. Front tires rolls good , bearing are not loose, spokes or ok. Could it be the new rake and trail on the lowered S model or the nobby tired. Now have 600 miles on bike.
Not yet. The dealer is across town and I didn't want to deal with trying to get it over there in traffic the way it was behaving. But I will have to do that. I don't think I need to throw it on a trailer, but I really didn't want to have to take it across town if there was a simple fix.Have you had your dealer look at it? My dealer situation is hopefully unique and I would advise normal folks to go that route first. As someone else stated, it’s important Kawasaki is aware of this.
Mine seems a little bit of the opposite. It fights me turning right, and seems to fall hard at times going left. Decelerating to a stop it drifts left or in construction traffic or something it seems to drift left, but speeding up again it will wobble back and forth a little. Once centrifugal forces take over it seems fine. But initially, it seems to want to drift left toward the curb.Sounds like mine did before I loosened it. No notch and it turned fine. But when you turned it a little from center while lifted it would just stay instead of going on around. Loosened about 1/8 (little more) and have ridden about 7 days. Drives right.
When driving it felt like you would start the turn then all of a sudden with no further input the bike just turned hard. And only happened to the right. Only 1 out of every 10 or 20 curve.
I had to kit a stretch of highway and it was just fine, but coming off the exit ramp and decelerating, as soon as it was below 20mph it would begin to wobble.
This is the EXACT issue mine had...I mean EXACT. Loosening the tension on the steering head bearing was the magic fix.
Mine was the opposite side but same issue I believe. If I let go of the bar it drifted right. No matter how much ass I put on the left of the bike it still went at anything under 25 or so. Lol. Id loosen and see. I didn't suspect my front end either but went ahead and tried it and sure enough it fixed it. I can coast to a stop now with no hands on the bars.Not yet. The dealer is across town and I didn't want to deal with trying to get it over there in traffic the way it was behaving. But I will have to do that. I don't think I need to throw it on a trailer, but I really didn't want to have to take it across town if there was a simple fix.
Mine seems a little bit of the opposite. It fights me turning right, and seems to fall hard at times going left. Decelerating to a stop it drifts left or in construction traffic or something it seems to drift left, but speeding up again it will wobble back and forth a little. Once centrifugal forces take over it seems fine. But initially, it seems to want to drift left toward the curb.
I had to kit a stretch of highway and it was just fine, but coming off the exit ramp and decelerating, as soon as it was below 20mph it would begin to wobble.
Sounds like everyone else's new bike with the bearings too tight. Mine went left to right very smooth. No catches. But was still too tight apparently. Its fine now after 1/8 turn looserI have had a 2018, 2021, and now the 2023 KLR S. While turning at slow speeds it felt like the front tire was sliding on a wet road but the road was dry. Then I thought the tire was going flat. I have jacked up the front and the tire swings left to right smoothly. Front tires rolls good , bearing are not loose, spokes or ok. Could it be the new rake and trail on the lowered S model or the nobby tired. Now have 600 miles on bike.
Mines also a 23
That is some seriously crappy QC on Kawi's part. I wonder if they will issue a service bulletin on the 23 models to check that.Sounds like everyone else's new bike with the bearings too tight. Mine went left to right very smooth. No catches. But was still too tight apparently. Its fine now after 1/8 turn looser
Mines also a 23
If im not mistaken, I think I've heard that the dealership installs the fork. My bike is a 23 but ive heard the same from the 22. It's possible the spec changed or bearings changed and they are still installing to the old spec. But idk. I do know that mine was checked by someone as it has the white mark on it to indicate it was.That is some seriously crappy QC on Kawi's part. I wonder if they will issue a service bulletin on the 23 models to check that.
My rear tire was a massive amount out of square too. Going by the marks on the swingarm it was a full mark off. Pretty sure that is also installed by the dealership
They do come out of the crate with the forks and rear wheel already installed. Dealer has to install front wheel, handle bars, switch gear, crash bars, etc. depending on the model.If im not mistaken, I think I've heard that the dealership installs the fork. My bike is a 23 but ive heard the same from the 22. It's possible the spec changed or bearings changed and they are still installing to the old spec. But idk. I do know that mine was checked by someone as it has the white mark on it to indicate it was.
My rear tire was a massive amount out of square too. Going by the marks on the swingarm it was a full mark off. Pretty sure that is also installed by the dealership
Here is an un-crating video of how they come.
Mine has various color paint marks all over it as well, including what appears is maybe a signature inside the bash plate. But those all appear to have been done by the factory.
Sent from my SM-S918U1 using Tapatalk
I'll ask what your front tire pressure was? The Owners Handbook probably still suggests 21F / 28R psi and I'll tell you and everybody those pressures do not work well. The Skinny front tires NEED more psi that the Wider rear tires.The dealer left a battery side cover bolt out as well as overinflated the front tire soooo my confidence in them is not high.
I suggest that 32F / 30R is a great starting point, but always at least 2 psi More in the skinny front tire than the wider rear tire!
They do come out of the crate with the forks and rear wheel already installed. Dealer has to install front wheel, handle bars, switch gear, crash bars, etc. depending on the model.
Here is an un-crating video of how they come.
Mine has various color paint marks all over it as well, including what appears is maybe a signature inside the bash plate. But those all appear to have been done by the factory.
Sent from my SM-S918U1 using Tapatalk
I didn't know what they had to install. I know the crates are fairly small. Lol. Ive been at my buddies dealership when they were unloading.
So the fork issues AND the crooked rear tire were from the manufacture and not the dealership.
The dealerships are Supposed to Properly Adjust the drive chain, which includes Alignment. And many other details.So the fork issues AND the crooked rear tire were from the manufacture and not the dealership.
And Properly TEST RIDE every new bike, atv or side by side to Confirm that everything works PROPERLY, before allowing anyone else to ride them. Do you have the Yellow copy of the A&P sheet that a new owner is supposed to sign & receive a copy of? Did they "check" the final gear oil on your chain drive bike? Haha.
One should never purchase a Zero "0" miles bike and be the 1st one to discover that the brakes don't work well!
I would have found & fixed the issue before you found it.
My brother & I used the be the owners of "The Oldest Kawasaki Dealership in the USA" for the last 26years of its 52 year history.
Well we pushed the bike out and loaded it. And the dealership is on a mountain side so the brakes were checked at least. Lol. I'm just over 200 miles now. Still have my temporary tag. The rear chain was just under a full mark offon one side. Id guess the marks are about 10mm apart. Nobody even gave that a glance clearly. I don't remember if it had marks or not. The head bearing and some other bolts I noticed different color marks onThe dealerships are Supposed to Properly Adjust the drive chain, which includes Alignment. And many other details.
And Properly TEST RIDE every new bike, atv or side by side to Confirm that everything works PROPERLY, before allowing anyone else to ride them. Do you have the Yellow copy of the A&P sheet that a new owner is supposed to sign & receive a copy of? Did they "check" the final gear oil on your chain drive bike? Haha.
One should never purchase a Zero "0" miles bike and be the 1st one to discover that the brakes don't work well!
I would have found & fixed the issue before you found it.
My brother & I used the be the owners of "The Oldest Kawasaki Dealership in the USA" for the last 26years of its 52 year history.
I bought my klr from a dealership id only been to once to buy a yamaha sxs last year. The sxs is still fine. I bought 2 yamaha sportbikes in the past one with zero and one with just over 1. They came from a dealership in NC and one in Ohio. So it must not be all that rare to skip the setup. Neither of those had issue. But clearly none had been tested very much. The rest of my bikes were used. Ive bought several quad new. Never had any issue
One more time: If you have any instability in the steering, loosen the steering stem nut slightly and test it again. At this point, it's apparent that Kaw did not correctly adjust many of the 2022's and 2023's before they left the factory, and many of the dealers are not doing a complete check. You can fight it out with the dealer service department, or adjust it yourself. Rear wheel alignment and chain tension too.
Thanks, i am going to loosen mine. it rides terrible.. jerks left to right... at low speeds. feels like riding on Jello...Sounds like everyone else's new bike with the bearings too tight. Mine went left to right very smooth. No catches. But was still too tight apparently. Its fine now after 1/8 turn looser
Mines also a 23
I have been riding 50 years.. never rode a new bike that is this SKETCHY...That is some seriously crappy QC on Kawi's part. I wonder if they will issue a service bulletin on the 23 models to check that.
I promise, it'll steer just as you'd expect after loosening the tension on the steering head bearing.I have been riding 50 years.. never rode a new bike that is this SKETCHY...
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