2002 Bandit 600S - Handlebar Shake

[cycledick]

Hey, everyone. I have a 2002 Bandit 600S. I've owned it since it was new. I love it to death. Anyway, if I take my hands off the bars for any reason, the handlebars begin to shake back and forth violently. Obviously, I'm decelerating when I don't have my hands on the bars. Although, I was recently coasting down hill with the bike in neutral and picking up speed and notice it didn't do it when accelerating. I've read about things like this before, so I've checked the steering head bearings by jacking the front end up to see if there was any play forward and backwards in the front end. Nothing, as tight as it should be.

Now, I realize I should have my hands on the bars at all times . But, I'm talking about even when I just pull my weight up off my wrists and keep my hands lightly around the grips. I asked the dealer about it after I first bought it (noticed it the day I got it), and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. I'd have to agree on account that I haven't had a single other problem with it and get pretty close to it's limits at times.

Any one else have this problem or any suggestions as to what it might be? I don't want to spend the cash on a steering dampener, and don't really feel like I should need one on a bike like mine. Any thoughts?

[Clint]

Headshake is an occasional problem with Bandits, and can usually be cured with proper suspension setup and new tires (the stock Mac 90's aren't known to be the best - mine cupped like a sob).

Check out Maximum-Suzuki for mucho Bandito help.