OK so last week I bruised my right thigh (and ego) when I... Yea I'll say it... dropped my bike...17 SG
Was coming to a stop on back road to turn left and started to slide a little in some sandy gravel.. Knee jerk reaction and I hit the front brake a little too hard, bike hard nosedive, lost balance and over she went.
I have noticed that it doesn't take much for that front brake to grab and for the nose to go, question is has anyone in here experienced this and decided to change fork oil to heavier weight and has it helped?

 

It's probably a spring rate thing first then oil height/weight,valving after !
They're big bikes man does it have ABS , I know a lifetime of riding is hard to adapt to sometimes different systems.

 

Yea it has ABS which was a little different to get used to, and I realized that it's a heavy bike.. Guess I may be looking for a reason to blame other than riders error. I just thought that maybe changing oil would be a "economical" place to start first

 

I had the fork oil changed on my 15 sgs to the heavier SE oil and will probably do it again on my 17.
Ride quality was a little harsher but the tradeoff was more then worth it eliminating mos of the nose dive.

 

The stock oil is 10 weight, I changed mine out at 10k miles to 15 weight oil, then every 10k miles thereafter. Only takes a little over ten ounces per fork, so you only have to buy one quart. Definitely helps reduce front end diving under hard braking.

 

Your over thinking the cause which was not the front end set up,but the ABS braking caused by rider grabbing a handful of front brake in the situation you were in.JMHO

 

New forks take way more than 10 oz per leg..

 

Same here - my HD tech recommended to try this before an HD fork upgrade or OEM. Used SE oil (heavier) and 'added a little bit more'. What a difference - no more dive yet ride is not harsh in anyway. Was like getting a new bike. I think it was 4hrs shop labor - well worth it for me..

 

Your "knee jerk reaction" is what dumped you on the pavement.. Fork oil would have made no difference..

These tires might help.





Unfortunately you might have to change wheels..

 

I switched to Amsoil Shock Therapy and was very happy with the result.