[harleyy_rider22]

getting close to 2 years of owning the Yamaha SCR950
have a little under 7000 miles on it as of now, rear tire will need to be replaced soon...

also bought that Kawasaki KLR650 that I've been really enjoying,
everything you look for as far as accessories... you have so many different sources (Tusk / Dirtracks / SW-Motech / Givi / Happy-Trail) etc....

I keep getting ideas about selling the SCR950 and having only the KLR

then I take the SCR for a long ride and I really enjoy it, and back off the idea of selling

sometimes I think about parting it out...
but not sure of how reasonable would that be specially having to ship items with different weights / sizes / volumes !!!

other times I think about changing the tires to a road / highway type of a tire that would have a better traction on the road than the stock one

are the tires really a game changer?? coz I can swear that I feel I'm riding a totally different bike after installing the Corbin Seat

I've done 200+ miles on that bike in one day, and it's not tiring


the main 2 negative parts about the bike, is mainly how scary it is when cross wind hits, while on the KLR, I never have this problem... even though it's a taller and lighter bike

second, is the handlebars wobble when decelerating.. which I know that I gotta change the stem bearings (not sure if I'm able to do it myself) and definitely won't pay somebody a fortune to do it


I'm just trying to brainstorm with you guys since we have the same type of a bike, maybe I can get some of your opinions / experiences


anyone else gets the same type of ideas??

 

[eddie]

Yes, tires really do make a bike difference. Did to me, anyway.
My Yamaha shop owner/friend was amused I installed a set of Michelin Anakee IIIs (bias-ply front/radial rea - just like the originals.
I have them on my Super Tenere and they were great on that bike and the SCR950, too.
Quieter than the original rubber, they rode great and gave as much traction wet or dry as I could ever use.

Get the steering stem bearings adjusted properly and that could calm the decal shakes a bit for a while.
I did that plus drilled/tapped the bar ends for a set of SV650 weights I had around.
In just under 10k miles, my personal SCR never once has headshake and I tried to get it to wobble. Nothing. Zip. Nada,

Must be a thing. I had a 2009 KLR650 and loved switching back and forth between it and my former GL1800. =)
I sold the 650 to get the Super Tenere. My girlfriend missed the KLR as much as I. "That bike was you!"

 

[yoitsemo]

When I switched out to some road tires I could immediately feel the difference when accelerating and that tire noise was almost entirely eliminated. I'm using the Michelin Pilot Activs which I guess are more popular with trike owners, but they were in size and readily available so I gave them a go. 10k miles on them now and they're doing great.

I'm interested in trying what Eddie did with his bike for helping correct that deceleration wobble. I get it most noticeably dropping from 50-40mph, but it hasn't caused me any problems to be honest.

I don't know how to combat crosswind, though. I've been hit by a number of random 15mph+ gusts and honestly I'm pretty thankful for the beefiness of the SCR since I don't find it too difficult to lean into the wind when it's really kicking.

 

[harleyy_rider22]

Yes, tires really do make a bike difference. Did to me, anyway.
My Yamaha shop owner/friend was amused I installed a set of Michelin Anakee IIIs (bias-ply front/radial rea - just like the originals.
I have them on my Super Tenere and they were great on that bike and the SCR950, too.
Quieter than the original rubber, they rode great and gave as much traction wet or dry as I could ever use.

Get the steering stem bearings adjusted properly and that could calm the decal shakes a bit for a while.
I did that plus drilled/tapped the bar ends for a set of SV650 weights I had around.
In just under 10k miles, my personal SCR never once has headshake and I tried to get it to wobble. Nothing. Zip. Nada,

Must be a thing. I had a 2009 KLR650 and loved switching back and forth between it and my former GL1800. =)
I sold the 650 to get the Super Tenere. My girlfriend missed the KLR as much as I. "That bike was you!"

I will definitely start by the tires then... but is it normal for original tires to wear after only 7K? I've heard people run them till like 10-12 !

and you're right... KLR has something about it that just makes you fall in love with it !! it's not the fastest on the highway, nor the best off-road, but it'll take you anywhere and everywhere...

I owned it for just 3 months, and already bought tons of accessories for it

When I switched out to some road tires I could immediately feel the difference when accelerating and that tire noise was almost entirely eliminated. I'm using the Michelin Pilot Activs which I guess are more popular with trike owners, but they were in size and readily available so I gave them a go. 10k miles on them now and they're doing great.

I'm interested in trying what Eddie did with his bike for helping correct that deceleration wobble. I get it most noticeably dropping from 50-40mph, but it hasn't caused me any problems to be honest.

I don't know how to combat crosswind, though. I've been hit by a number of random 15mph+ gusts and honestly I'm pretty thankful for the beefiness of the SCR since I don't find it too difficult to lean into the wind when it's really kicking.

SCR is really heavy, however, I've had some real scary moments when the cross wind was pushing me really hard towards a semi on my right lane... !!!!

so how many miles did you have on the stock tires before changing them?

 

[yoitsemo]

SCR is really heavy, however, I've had some real scary moments when the cross wind was pushing me really hard towards a semi on my right lane... !!!!

so how many miles did you have on the stock tires before changing them?

Yeah, 12k doesn't seem unreasonable, but I'm guessing road conditions and average ride time makes a difference. I changed my tires just before 10k, but they definitely had some life left in them. Apparently the front Pilot Activs can get 20k? Sounds crazy but I'm glad there are some options out there for a longer lasting tire.

Glad you were able to keep your bike away from that semi, though! I'm remembering now about a short trip to the store and I got hit by a strong gust when I was only going about 30mph, and it nearly threw me off the road. I guess at highway speeds it's a little easier to throw my weight into it and ride it out.

 

[SCRBen]

.....anyone else gets the same type of ideas??

Ha! Have to confess.......yes, recently, I’ve had similar thoughts re potentially trading in, to the extent of taking a Harley Roadster out for an extended test ride (1st pic). I even got them right down on the price too (I think HD are really struggling at the mo) but, in the end, I just couldn’t do it!!

Like many of the reviews of the SCR said at the time of release, there’s just something about it! It’s not the fastest, nor the most agile, maybe not the most comfortable, but there is something about it. When I dropped the HD back off at the showroom, I loved getting back on my bike - I’m used to it now (just shy of 5000 miles), and know how it’s going to react in any situation.

Having said that, the Roadster was fabulous on the motorway (highway) - sits at 85mph with plenty in reserve. One of the main catalysts, I think, is the impending trip to Germany. Is the SCR going to suffice? Can I keep up with the old man on his BMW, etc?

It’s going to have to do the trip now! People have toured on much less powerful bikes, I keep telling myself and, were I to go on a generic bike forum, the idea of getting a Sportster to go touring would get me laughed out of town anyway!! :grin2: It was still going to cost me a fair chunk of change to swap as well, and that was without Staging the Harley, or getting the luggage sorted etc (all of which is already taken care of with the Yam). The build quality is nothing compared to the SCR either - the Roadster is really poorly finished in places. If I’m honest - I think I was a little too big for it too.

Re the other things mentioned by @harleyy_rider22 (love the irony there!) and others on this thread - never experienced any head shake nor crosswind issues, but can definitely vouch for the benefit of new tires. I changed the OEMs out for Avon Trailriders at the start of the year (2nd pic), at about 4000 miles, and the difference is night and day! I had a long standing hatred of the stockers anyway, as my old Triumph Scrambler came on the same rubber, and that was similarly transformed when I swapped those out for Metzeler Tourances. I considered getting the same for the SCR, but they’re last generation tyres now - the Avon’s are new, British, and look in keeping with the bike. However, unlike the Bridgestones, they are completely quiet on the road, and confidence inspiring. I never felt confident on the OEM stock rubber even in the dry, but no such issue on the Avon’s. I don’t think anyone thinking of changing should wait until the Bridgestones wear out, as it’s a false economy - you’ll enjoy the bike a lot more the sooner you change them out.

Just my two (OK, ten!) pennies worth.
Ben

 

[jobirobi]

I just crossed 12k miles, and I'm still on the stock tires. They might get replaced soon.

I have had the wobble exactly one time - I was doing airplane arms on a downhill in 5th gear going about 40mph, and while it was startling, the bike stayed on course, and it hasn't happened again since. My hunch is that the shake is a corner-case situation, and you might be able to make modifications to the bike that change the conditions where the resonance kicks in, but it might not be possible to eliminate it entirely, just due to the nature of dynamic systems and the billion and one variables that potentially play into the vibration.

I just got Ivan on board yesterday, and that's significantly reduced my biggest remaining gripe about the bike (after I replaced the seat), the low-end throttle response.

I'd love to lose some weight (off the bike!) but basically every change I've made to my bike so far has *added* weight. I just can't help myself. I like all of my bolt-ons!

 

[SCRBen]

I just got Ivan on board yesterday, and that's significantly reduced my biggest remaining gripe about the bike (after I replaced the seat), the low-end throttle response.

You’re liking it then?
Ben

 

[harleyy_rider22]

It’s going to have to do the trip now! People have toured on much less powerful bikes, I keep telling myself and, were I to go on a generic bike forum, the idea of getting a Sportster to go touring would get me laughed out of town anyway!! :grin2: It was still going to cost me a fair chunk of change to swap as well, and that was without Staging the Harley, or getting the luggage sorted etc (all of which is already taken care of with the Yam). The build quality is nothing compared to the SCR either - the Roadster is really poorly finished in places. If I’m honest - I think I was a little too big for it too.

Re the other things mentioned by @harleyy_rider22 (love the irony there!) and others on this thread - never experienced any head shake nor crosswind issues, but can definitely vouch for the benefit of new tires. I changed the OEMs out for Avon Trailriders at the start of the year (2nd pic), at about 4000 miles, and the difference is night and day! I had a long standing hatred of the stockers anyway, as my old Triumph Scrambler came on the same rubber, and that was similarly transformed when I swapped those out for Metzeler Tourances. I considered getting the same for the SCR, but they’re last generation tyres now - the Avon’s are new, British, and look in keeping with the bike. However, unlike the Bridgestones, they are completely quiet on the road, and confidence inspiring. I never felt confident on the OEM stock rubber even in the dry, but no such issue on the Avon’s. I don’t think anyone thinking of changing should wait until the Bridgestones wear out, as it’s a false economy - you’ll enjoy the bike a lot more the sooner you change them out.

Just my two (OK, ten!) pennies worth.
Ben

Harley's are beautiful (looking) bikes, but that's it !

the scr is so capable of doing long distances, if you got that corbin seat !!!

You're totally right about smaller bikes making longer distances....

the KLR650 I just got ... you can be on that thing all day long, and you won't feel any fatigue !!!! it's aerodynamics are like magic, and that's with the stock seat / sprockets ... everything....

 

[franksy]

@SCRBen A Harley?? Keep the Scr, it's a great bike...fun and different. God forbid the next time we meet up you're not wearing leather chaps! 😂

 

[SCRBen]

@SCRBen A Harley?? Keep the Scr, it's a great bike...fun and different. God forbid the next time we meet up you're not wearing leather chaps! 😂

Maybe just a little leather waistcoat then....?! 0
Don’t worry - it’s not happening.
Ben

 

[jobirobi]

You’re liking it then?
Ben

Aye. I've figured out that I've been compensating for the jerk I got previously by tensing up right before it happened, and my back seems more relaxed, on the road and off, these last couple of days. It's much smoother now.