I just replaced my front wheel/rim/tire. I noticed while my bike is parked. When moving the handle bar, the steering is very hard and heavy and stiff.

Also while riding, i noticed on turns the steering wheel wants to turn, unless i restrict it.

For example, doing a right turn, the steering wheel would turn right heavly, unless i restrict it by not allowing it to so i may clear the turn. This happens on both sides.

Prior to this, with my old wheel/rim/tire, everythign was the opposite.
While parked, it was easy to turn the handle bars, they were light.

On turns, i had to turn the steering wheel myself, it was easy and light. Any ideas?

Not sure but if replacing tires on cars sometimes has issues with the allingment maybe you either screwed or put the bike tire to tightly, too loosely or its not sitting in its fitting correctly.

Putting a new tire sometimes has the effect of making it harder to turn while at rest - since the new tire is gripping the road properly. If your older tires were over inflated/worn out/hardened then that would make steering feel lighter...

I'd start with checking tire pressure, since low tire pressure can give the effect of harder turns.

I'm confused when you say you had to turn the steering right on right turns when on your older wheel... at any speed above say 15mph, one always has to counter-steer, i.e. stop the bars from turning... (if you took the MSF course they taught push right - lean right - turn right). It's actually intuitive, but on lighter bikes you hardly notice it. It's the heavier bikes that need a definite push on the bars. In fact, if you try to turn right and turn the steering right also, the bike will probably high-side after locking the steering right.

This is because if you try to lean right, the precession of the rotating wheel tends to turn it inward (right).

Is it hard to turn the steering when going at say 5-10mph?

let me guess...you're running pilot powers now?

I was thinking geometry too. Like his tire profile is too tall and he didnt say that he replaced the rear.

Are you saying something bad against the Michelins again?

My girlfriend's bike has that same turning thing but hers is lowered once you get used to it its all good ....Is your bike lowered at all?

Did they tighten the yoke nut really tight?

ORIGINAL: Jaybird180

Are you saying something bad against the Michelins again?


i love michellins...haven't used them on MY bike per se, but i think they are great tires!

ORIGINAL: ampfp

Putting a new tire sometimes has the effect of making it harder to turn while at rest - since the new tire is gripping the road properly. If your older tires were over inflated/worn out/hardened then that would make steering feel lighter...

Is it hard to turn the steering when going at say 5-10mph?


The tire pressure is fine. and normal.

Yes, i am refering to going at slow speeds between 5 -20 mph. Turning right, the wheel leans towards the turn at slow speeds very heavily. Its like if i let go my hands, the handle bars with automatically turn right all the way. or left which every dirrection i'm turning. . This has never happend before, of course at higher speeds i understand the lean etc... I've been riding for 7 months, and this is the first problem i have encountered ever since i replaced my front wheel.

ORIGINAL: Triax

Did they tighten the yoke nut really tight?


I purchaseda used front wheel because my old one was dented. and it came already with dunlop tires, and rotors.
I just followed the owners manual on how to replace the front wheel.

Which nut is the "Yoke nut"? I'll try to rescrew it ?

ORIGINAL: SchiraF4I

Is your bike lowered at all?


No its stock all around, i'll try to find picture. by the way i have

2001 cbr f4i

ORIGINAL: SpiritBreaker

I just replaced my front wheel/rim/tire. I noticed while my bike is parked. When moving the handle bar, the steering is very hard and heavy and stiff.

Also while riding, i noticed on turns the steering wheel wants to turn, unless i restrict it.

For example, doing a right turn, the steering wheel would turn right heavly, unless i restrict it by not allowing it to so i may clear the turn. This happens on both sides.

Prior to this, with my old wheel/rim/tire, everythign was the opposite.
While parked, it was easy to turn the handle bars, they were light.

On turns, i had to turn the steering wheel myself, it was easy and light. Any ideas?



My bike don't have a steering wheel maybe thats your problem...Put the handle bars back on your bike..LOL j/king :D

ORIGINAL: milko


My bike don't have a steering wheel maybe thats your problem...Put the handle bars back on your bike..LOL j/king :D

Stop, you're cracking me up.

ORIGINAL: SpiritBreaker

ORIGINAL: Triax

Did they tighten the yoke nut really tight?


I purchaseda used front wheel because my old one was dented. and it came already with dunlop tires, and rotors.
I just followed the owners manual on how to replace the front wheel.

Which nut is the "Yoke nut"? I'll try to rescrew it ?


yup. i would take off the wheel and put lubs where they are needed and torque the nut to proper specs. come on guys, i dont think tire pressure will give a rider this much problems.

Be sure you have the same assembly for the replacement wheel as in the old one. The wheel from the '99-00 F4 looks the same as that of the F4i butmounting isdifferent. I once tried an F4i wheel on the F4 only to realise that the wheel bearings / spacers on the front axle are different and the wheel couldn't mount. Check to see if your wheel bearings / spacers close properly when tightened and ensure there is no play or side slipon the wheel.

^^ I was just thinking that. Make sure you have the correct spacers on each side. If I recall, the thinner one goes on the left side.