Felt like a pop

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 07:36 AM

Ok so I was on my way home from work last night on the Suncoast Parkway doing 70MPH when I feel something that felt like a pop. Then the bike feels like I'm getting a flat tire so I pull over but no flat?? So I start heading home again and the bike now feels very loose and wobbly, almost like riding a bicycle that almost has a flat tire. I made it home doing 15MPH (that sucked).

My T-Rex stands are going to be here this Friday anyone have suggestions where I should start looking or what it could be?

CC Cowboy · May 4th, 2011, 07:52 AM

If your tires are still up to pressure start looking at your suspension. Was the "pop" a bolt braking on your shock? Did the rear axle loosen and move out of alignment?

dubojr1 · May 4th, 2011, 07:53 AM

Check your tire pressure first. If they are over inflated, there could be damage to the tire but still holding air. Check the rear axle bolt also to make sure it is torqued to spec. May want to check the front tire too just for good measures. If it is still under warranty, you may want to consider having the dealer look over it. Good luck!

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

If your tires are still up to pressure start looking at your suspension. Was the "pop" a bolt braking on your shock? Did the rear axle loosen and move out of alignment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubojr1

Check your tire pressure first. If they are over inflated, there could be damage to the tire but still holding air. Check the rear axle bolt also to make sure it is torqued to spec. May want to check the front tire too just for good measures. If it is still under warranty, you may want to consider having the dealer look over it. Good luck!

Thanks guys...

The suspension was the first thing I was going to check when my stands show up. I was also thinking that the pop might have been a bolt breaking when the tires looked fine. Once my stands arrive I can check to make sure there’s no tire damage that I can’t see but the bike only has 1200 miles on it.

It is definitely still under warranty so I guess if something does not jump out at me I will take it to the dealership. It’s just weird that when stopped and I’m pulling and pushing on things nothing seems loose but that all changes when you start riding.

dubojr1 · May 4th, 2011, 09:51 AM

Could have been road debris too. You just want to check over the bike prior to riding just to be sure things are cool.

bdavison · May 4th, 2011, 11:27 AM

Are you running radials? Could be one of the radial bands snapped in the tire....which would also explain the funky wobble.

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavison

Are you running radials? Could be one of the radial bands snapped in the tire....which would also explain the funky wobble.

Stock tires, are they radials?

ricochet08 · May 4th, 2011, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubojr1

Could have been road debris too.

That's what i was thinking. I had a similar situation. Pulled over, checked everything i could think to check. Everything seemed fine.

I was on pretty a beat-up road, so I chunked it up to being road debris

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricochet08

That's what i was thinking. I had a similar situation. Pulled over, checked everything i could think to check. Everything seemed fine.

I was on pretty beat-up road, so I chunked it up to being road debris

I wish it could be this simple, but the bike still rides like a bicycle that almost has a flat tire. I lean a little in either direction and the bike feels like it's going out from under me.

The road I was on is pretty new and in good shape. It's the newest part of the Suncoast Parkway heading up to Hudson/Spring Hill area.

kkim · May 4th, 2011, 12:38 PM

what's your tire pressures?

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

what's your tire pressures?

That I wll have to check when I get home but the bike was serviced at 600 miles and it only has 1200 now and they asked my weight

and said the tire pressure was correct.

kkim · May 4th, 2011, 12:48 PM

I'd check them first before looking for any other problems.

it may not be the problem, this time, but you do realize you should be checking them before every ride, correct?

Lou · May 4th, 2011, 01:09 PM

I also had a pop sound pulling into a 7eleven about 2 months ago. Mine ended up being a busted fork seal

I started to have a small amount of oil run down the fork. Made the front end kinda squishy.

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

I'd check them first before looking for any other problems.

it may not be the problem, this time, but you do realize you should be checking them before every ride, correct?

I do check them every other day. I keep them between a range of, for the front 28 – 30 and the back 32 – 34. It depends on if they are cold or hot or what time of the day it is here in Florida. When I said I did not know the pressure I meant right now, my apologies, I know they are between what I just listed.

If I check them before I leave my house in the morning they are 28/32 and after sitting in sun all day at work before heading home they will be 30/34.

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou

I also had a pop sound pulling into a 7eleven about 2 months ago. Mine ended up being a busted fork seal

I started to have a small amount of oil run down the fork. Made the front end kinda squishy.

I will be looking at this first thing when I get home as I can check this before my stands get here...Thanks!

CC Cowboy · May 4th, 2011, 01:26 PM

Did you hit a cat and it popped and now cat guts are all over your tires making them squirm and feel mushy?

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Did you hit a cat and it popped and now cat guts are all over your tires making them squirm and feel mushy?

LOL…LOL...LOL...LOL

As much as I dislike cats (I’m allergic to them) I LOVE animals and would probably lay my bike down if it meant not hitting one.

TnNinjaGirl · May 4th, 2011, 02:23 PM

Would you do the same if CC stepped out in front of you?

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 02:32 PM

Who is cc?

TnNinjaGirl · May 4th, 2011, 02:32 PM

CC Cowboy

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 02:36 PM

Sure, if they were carrying an animal.

TnNinjaGirl · May 4th, 2011, 02:41 PM

haha... nice... Let us know what the issue is. I'm quite curious as to what happened. Good luck!

setasai · May 4th, 2011, 03:22 PM

Does the bike feel stable when you sit on it or is it squishy even then? There really is only so many things that affect the "feel" of the bike. Tires + suspension and all the bolts that go with it. My guess is if the tires are good then it's the fork seals. When you felt the pop, did you run over a pothole or anything?

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setasai

Does the bike feel stable when you sit on it or is it squishy even then? There really is only so many things that affect the "feel" of the bike. Tires + suspension and all the bolts that go with it. My guess is if the tires are good then it's the fork seals. When you felt the pop, did you run over a pothole or anything?

Nope, if feels fine to sit on. It only feels weird when moving, I guess the best way to describe it is a bicycle that has tires that are almost flat. If you have ever rode a bicycle like that you know that when you lean or try to turn it wants to go out from under you. Another way to describe it would be it almost feels like the tire sidewalls are rolling in on themselves when I lean the bike. I'm thinking it might be something in the suspension.

As for the pothole, nope the road is great and there was no one in front of me.

setasai · May 4th, 2011, 05:11 PM

Wierd, check the preload and see if that changes the feeling. If the suspension gave out, if you bounce on it, you should be able to feel/hear a difference. I noticed a difference when I set the preload so if the suspension is dead, i would think you can tell. Tires are an easy check, I'm assuming you had the chance to check the pressures already?

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 05:18 PM

Yep, all good on the pressure. I can't wait till Friday when my stands get here I can pull it apart.

kkim · May 4th, 2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bp328i

Yep, all good on the pressure. I can't wait till Friday when my stands get here I can pull it apart.

how is your chain adjustment?

is the bike still under warranty?

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

how is your chain adjustment?

is the bike still under warranty?

The chain is great I just used the DIY here to clean it last Saturday.

Yep still under warranty, just bought it 3/17/2011

kkim · May 4th, 2011, 05:26 PM

how much chain slack to you have?

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 05:35 PM

Just at 1 inch, I measured it right in the middle on the bottom.

kkim · May 4th, 2011, 05:39 PM

that sounds about right... did you check that slack amount at several different places on the chain?

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 05:45 PM

Yes and it seems consistent. I did just take a picture of something that does not look right. Give me one minute and I will post it.

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 06:03 PM

Does this space look right?

kkim · May 4th, 2011, 06:16 PM

looks right to me...

bp328i · May 4th, 2011, 06:19 PM

Thanks, guess I will just have to wait till Friday when I can get it up in the air. If nothing jumps out at me when it's apart off to the dealership we go.

bp328i · May 10th, 2011, 08:11 PM

Thank you everyone for the help. It turned out to be a broken spring perch. When I would sit on the bike and bounced up and down it felt fine but when there was any side to side stress the spring would move which in turn made the suspension give more than it should giving me the sloppy feeling.

The dealership said they have never seen one break before...just my luck...

kkim · May 10th, 2011, 08:29 PM

covered under warranty, I hope?

bp328i · May 10th, 2011, 08:32 PM

100%

novak2k9 · May 11th, 2011, 09:02 PM

The last time I had a pop and I nearly flew off the bike I pulled over to check the tires, nothing wrong. I then noticed the cap at end of swingarm had turned 90 degrees and that's what slammed into the bolt/nut of my rear sprocket. Apparently after having the tires put on at the dealership they didn't tighten the bolts good.

Checking your torques are just as important as the tire pressures

CZroe · May 14th, 2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bp328i

Thank you everyone for the help. It turned out to be a broken spring perch. When I would sit on the bike and bounced up and down it felt fine but when there was any side to side stress the spring would move which in turn made the suspension give more than it should giving me the sloppy feeling.

The dealership said they have never seen one break before...just my luck...

What is the "spring perch?"

May 4th, 2011, 07:36 AM	#1
bp328i ninjette.org member Name: Bruce Location: Hudson, FL Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 38	Felt like a pop Ok so I was on my way home from work last night on the Suncoast Parkway doing 70MPH when I feel something that felt like a pop. Then the bike feels like I'm getting a flat tire so I pull over but no flat?? So I start heading home again and the bike now feels very loose and wobbly, almost like riding a bicycle that almost has a flat tire. I made it home doing 15MPH (that sucked). My T-Rex stands are going to be here this Friday anyone have suggestions where I should start looking or what it could be?

May 4th, 2011, 07:52 AM	#2
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	If your tires are still up to pressure start looking at your suspension. Was the "pop" a bolt braking on your shock? Did the rear axle loosen and move out of alignment? __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

May 4th, 2011, 07:53 AM	#3
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Check your tire pressure first. If they are over inflated, there could be damage to the tire but still holding air. Check the rear axle bolt also to make sure it is torqued to spec. May want to check the front tire too just for good measures. If it is still under warranty, you may want to consider having the dealer look over it. Good luck! __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

May 4th, 2011, 09:51 AM	#5
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Could have been road debris too. You just want to check over the bike prior to riding just to be sure things are cool. __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

May 4th, 2011, 01:26 PM	#16
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Did you hit a cat and it popped and now cat guts are all over your tires making them squirm and feel mushy? __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

May 4th, 2011, 11:27 AM	#6
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	Are you running radials? Could be one of the radial bands snapped in the tire....which would also explain the funky wobble.

May 4th, 2011, 12:38 PM	#10
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	what's your tire pressures?

May 4th, 2011, 12:48 PM	#12
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I'd check them first before looking for any other problems. it may not be the problem, this time, but you do realize you should be checking them before every ride, correct?

May 4th, 2011, 01:09 PM	#13
Lou ninjette.org member Name: LOU Location: Imperial County, California Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): GreenSE 09 250R Posts: 247	I also had a pop sound pulling into a 7eleven about 2 months ago. Mine ended up being a busted fork seal I started to have a small amount of oil run down the fork. Made the front end kinda squishy.

May 4th, 2011, 02:23 PM	#18
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Would you do the same if CC stepped out in front of you?

May 4th, 2011, 02:32 PM	#19
bp328i ninjette.org member Name: Bruce Location: Hudson, FL Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 38	Who is cc?

May 4th, 2011, 02:36 PM	#21
bp328i ninjette.org member Name: Bruce Location: Hudson, FL Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 38	Sure, if they were carrying an animal.

May 4th, 2011, 02:41 PM	#22
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	haha... nice... Let us know what the issue is. I'm quite curious as to what happened. Good luck!

May 4th, 2011, 03:22 PM	#23
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	Does the bike feel stable when you sit on it or is it squishy even then? There really is only so many things that affect the "feel" of the bike. Tires + suspension and all the bolts that go with it. My guess is if the tires are good then it's the fork seals. When you felt the pop, did you run over a pothole or anything?

May 4th, 2011, 05:11 PM	#25
setasai ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Brian Location: Detroit, MI Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.	Wierd, check the preload and see if that changes the feeling. If the suspension gave out, if you bounce on it, you should be able to feel/hear a difference. I noticed a difference when I set the preload so if the suspension is dead, i would think you can tell. Tires are an easy check, I'm assuming you had the chance to check the pressures already?

May 4th, 2011, 05:18 PM	#26
bp328i ninjette.org member Name: Bruce Location: Hudson, FL Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 38	Yep, all good on the pressure. I can't wait till Friday when my stands get here I can pull it apart.

May 4th, 2011, 05:26 PM	#29
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	how much chain slack to you have?

May 4th, 2011, 05:35 PM	#30
bp328i ninjette.org member Name: Bruce Location: Hudson, FL Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 38	Just at 1 inch, I measured it right in the middle on the bottom.

May 4th, 2011, 05:39 PM	#31
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	that sounds about right... did you check that slack amount at several different places on the chain?

May 4th, 2011, 05:45 PM	#32
bp328i ninjette.org member Name: Bruce Location: Hudson, FL Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 38	Yes and it seems consistent. I did just take a picture of something that does not look right. Give me one minute and I will post it.

May 4th, 2011, 06:03 PM	#33
bp328i ninjette.org member Name: Bruce Location: Hudson, FL Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 38	Does this space look right?

May 4th, 2011, 06:16 PM	#34
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	looks right to me...

May 4th, 2011, 06:19 PM	#35
bp328i ninjette.org member Name: Bruce Location: Hudson, FL Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 38	Thanks, guess I will just have to wait till Friday when I can get it up in the air. If nothing jumps out at me when it's apart off to the dealership we go.

May 10th, 2011, 08:11 PM	#36
bp328i ninjette.org member Name: Bruce Location: Hudson, FL Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 38	Thank you everyone for the help. It turned out to be a broken spring perch. When I would sit on the bike and bounced up and down it felt fine but when there was any side to side stress the spring would move which in turn made the suspension give more than it should giving me the sloppy feeling. The dealership said they have never seen one break before...just my luck...

May 10th, 2011, 08:29 PM	#37
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	covered under warranty, I hope?

May 10th, 2011, 08:32 PM	#38
bp328i ninjette.org member Name: Bruce Location: Hudson, FL Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 38	100%

May 11th, 2011, 09:02 PM	#39
novak2k9 ninjette.org member Name: Dave Location: Sacramento Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250r Posts: 29	The last time I had a pop and I nearly flew off the bike I pulled over to check the tires, nothing wrong. I then noticed the cap at end of swingarm had turned 90 degrees and that's what slammed into the bolt/nut of my rear sprocket. Apparently after having the tires put on at the dealership they didn't tighten the bolts good. Checking your torques are just as important as the tire pressures

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