Packing panniers

[IanB]

Just a word abt weight distribution on the Steeds.
Be careful how and where you pack that weight for the rally weekend.
Seems the ST isn't as stable as a few of us think because of an issue with the screens and the heavy loads on the back.
Found it last night the reason why ST's were taken out of action in Qld a few years ago.
With the large amount of weight of carried behind the back axle the bikes were giving out the death wobbles at speeds in excess of 120k.
It was also dependent on which level the screen was at.
Must admit when I overpacked to go to Albany a few years ago I had the problem but since I'd only been on the bike for a coupla weeks thought it was just something the ST's did. The front end was not tracking properly when gunning to pass B Doubles and the like. Scary stuff.
Not something that's going to effect many of us but it was put down by a coroner as the reason a Scottish policeman died when training - at 180k's. The link is
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/6600897.stm.
We've probably all had the problem but just weren't going quick enough for it to be an issue.
Pack light and travel well and enjoy, see you at Middleton.

[Dick B "Yewie"]

Are you kidding!. With the pillion aboard, every minute space will be occupied. I guess I will just have to keep below 180kph 
See you there
DickB 

[BigTed]

... large amount of weight of carried behind the back axle ...

Unless you're like me, where you have an excessive amount of weight being carried infront of the back axle.... sometimes I think the old tum-tum gets in the way of the handle bars too! 

[Streak]

Teela and i had this issue last year, but we pack very sensibly now, plus us a combined 25kg weight loss between us, the bike has certainly become a lot more manageable, Fully loaded last year it was not as fun as it should have been...

[saaz]

And just for those new to the ST world, it is the ST1300 that has this issue (supposedly), not the ST1100.  But regardless, it is one reason why I moved back to using a Gearsack rack, as the packed bag can be placed further forward than a topbox.

[alans1100]

as the packed bag can be placed further forward than a topbox.

Not if you're riding two-up......

I still have a gearsack back which we bought in the early 90's (CX500 Turbo days). The zip is broken but the the bag still gets used in the trailer to stow all the cooking gear etc.

Not sure how the two of us would cope on an extended trip away from home without a trailer anymore. We've done it before on our CX500 turbo and I think back then after a trip via the coast from Adelaide to Sydney we decided a trailer would be better.

[IanB]

Should have added that the discussion abt this problem came from the local traffic branch Sgt who rides an ST and he has had the problem at 120k plus especially in corners. But the police bike do carry a lot of weight.
Think it has a lot to do with screen position since I got it passing trucks on the Nullabor when a newby to the bike but now the screen position let's it rip without problems in truck turbulence.
And a steering dampener would sort the problem according to the UK cops research but allegedly Honda wouldn't fit one because it would be admitting liability.

[Biggles]

And a steering dampener would sort the problem according to the UK cops research but allegedly Honda wouldn't fit one because it would be admitting liability.

Which suggests we should be our own steering damper if we experience the wobbles.  That implies putting pressure on the handlebars to reduce the oscillations.

[STeveo]

With the bigger screen I have fitted I do get a 'rocking' type side to side motion on windy days or behind big trucks/ caravans if too close, but the loading doesn't make any difference even with pillion.

 

[Brock]

Thats the normal wake turbulence STevo, nothing to worry about, just relax and let the bike do its thing and dont fight it. What is being referred to is an uncontrollable oscillation experienced by some, possibly due to weight distribution and speed.

[Marcus]

meh...who cares about the high speed wobbles. You don't get them doing this



Just saying...

[STeveo]

Thanks Brock, I wasn't worried as it doesn't do it with the smaller 'summer' screen. 


 

[Sabie]

meh...who cares about the high speed wobbles. You don't get them doing this



Just saying...

 

[temala]

 I must say that I have never had the problem. A few years ago I did a trip half way around Australia and I was loaded to the gunnels. I was fully independent with cooking, camping,clothing and maintenance kit along with the usual communications gear. When I reached NT I decided to "blow the cobwebs out" legally. The ST zoomed up to 200 before the front wheel became a little light. However, there was no trace of wobble.
On another occasion someone I know decided to test out his ST and clocked 240 without a hint of trouble. And he was loaded up for a long trip around NSW.
Seems that it might be the individual bike.

[ruSTyEB]

I find my 1100 rock solid fully laden and 2Up.  Only gets twitchy when I'm light (not packed) passing trucks, a combination of turbulance and exceeding the reccomended top box speed of 120km 

Recently chased (and overtook) some hardleys up the Toowoomba range, fully packed, 2Up, and wishing for another100km's of the twisties.  Funny how they blew past me through Withcott doing at least 80 (I was doing the posted 60) yet they had trouble cornering