Hi all, and once again I appreciate any responses from the experts here that know these bikes much better than I.
I bought a used 2007 ST1300 two years ago with 27K on the odometer. Thanks to the forum I went all through it and put it in tip top shape for riding without problems. So for the first year I rode it about 4K with the old well worn PR3 tires. Compared to my other bike, a 2011 Harley Superglide it felt like a rocketship on rails. Wow, seams on the pavement, tar snakes etc. - nothing seemed to upset this bike.
Last year I treated it to new PR4GT tires as the PR3 were no longer available. They seem stiffer but similar to me. No other changes. No top box. Solo. 160 lbs. Bags lightly packed.
So coming back to CT from our camp in the Adirondacks I am enjoying the bike on the two lane roads at it is handling great. I get a ticket for 79 in a 55 zone because it feels so good. Then I get on the Mass Pike heading east at settle in at an indicated 80. About 15 miles down the road, behind an empty flatbed semi the bike all of a sudden feels like it has a flat rear tire. I pull to the side of the road and both tires are fully inflated. No choice, get back on an settle in at 60. Horrible spooky feel in the rear. Convinced the rear axle has come loose I pull over again. everything is tight. No choice - ride on looking for the next exit to get on two lane roads. By the next exit it feels fine and I continue home. At home, check tires and rear tire at 36 psi so I figure that is the problem.
Next week same issue. Ride up with no problems. Ride back and same issue in roughly same location. Very very spooky feeling and then it disappears. And it never happened with the old worn PR3s. I have looked at this section of road from the car and nothing out of the ordinary.
I R&Red the wheels and followed the service manual to the letter. Head bearings good. Rear shock in standard setting by the manual. Riding solo. Lightly loaded. Tire pressures spot on the second time. First ride of the year today and no issues. Love the bike but this scared me.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance for any replies.
I bought a used 2007 ST1300 two years ago with 27K on the odometer. Thanks to the forum I went all through it and put it in tip top shape for riding without problems. So for the first year I rode it about 4K with the old well worn PR3 tires. Compared to my other bike, a 2011 Harley Superglide it felt like a rocketship on rails. Wow, seams on the pavement, tar snakes etc. - nothing seemed to upset this bike.
Last year I treated it to new PR4GT tires as the PR3 were no longer available. They seem stiffer but similar to me. No other changes. No top box. Solo. 160 lbs. Bags lightly packed.
So coming back to CT from our camp in the Adirondacks I am enjoying the bike on the two lane roads at it is handling great. I get a ticket for 79 in a 55 zone because it feels so good. Then I get on the Mass Pike heading east at settle in at an indicated 80. About 15 miles down the road, behind an empty flatbed semi the bike all of a sudden feels like it has a flat rear tire. I pull to the side of the road and both tires are fully inflated. No choice, get back on an settle in at 60. Horrible spooky feel in the rear. Convinced the rear axle has come loose I pull over again. everything is tight. No choice - ride on looking for the next exit to get on two lane roads. By the next exit it feels fine and I continue home. At home, check tires and rear tire at 36 psi so I figure that is the problem.
Next week same issue. Ride up with no problems. Ride back and same issue in roughly same location. Very very spooky feeling and then it disappears. And it never happened with the old worn PR3s. I have looked at this section of road from the car and nothing out of the ordinary.
I R&Red the wheels and followed the service manual to the letter. Head bearings good. Rear shock in standard setting by the manual. Riding solo. Lightly loaded. Tire pressures spot on the second time. First ride of the year today and no issues. Love the bike but this scared me.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance for any replies.