I can't seem to get my bike (XT600E, 2003) feeling 'right' on the road at the moment. (I use the XT for commuting 40 odd miles a day).

I had Conti-Escapes on (front & Rear) and they handled great on the road... then thought I'd try something different

I fitted a Conti TKC70's and they felt so bad I took the feckin' things off as it was twitchy as feck in the corners in the wet or dry. (it felt as though you were going to 'tip over' when you got a bit of a lean on).

Anyway, I've bought a pair of Michenlin Siracs now and although they feel 'okay' the bike still doesn't inspire confidence in bends.

I'm running 1.5 bar in the front & 2.0 bar in the rear. (Wheel & Swinging arm bearings are okay with no play anywhere).

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Wow - I rode an XT600E for 10 years and will give it my perspective...

Firstly the Conti TKC70's do that when new but once you have squared off the rear and gained confidence with them they are good fun but yes your bike feels more like a twostroke but if you are they do lean well and far!

Haven't tried the Siracs but I don't think it is your issue. Your Bar seems low in the front for road use I would be looking at 1.75 (but at your risk).

The other consideration is your forks if you feel them diving into the bends it will not help you - what fork oil, when did you last change it and condition of seals etc?

I would play around more with the tyre pressure but once you are sure the fork set up is correct.

hope this helps

I put new fork oil, seals & progressive springs in about 2 / 3 years ago ( nothings leaked out)
Suppose I’ve just got to keep fiddling with the pressures till I feel happy...

The front pressure does seam too low I would aim for 1.75Bar for the front for road use. good luck

Not long ago I got a pair of Avon Trailriders (they were £113 the pair from M&P) on my 2002/3 4PT. I have them at 2.2 bar front and 2.5 bar rear (psi 32F 36R). I found this recommended somewhere (can't remember where). The Owners Manual recommends 1.5 bar front and 2.25 bar rear (22 and 32 psi) - this seems very low to me.?? Despite the much lower pressures recommended in the owners manual I find that these feel very good for normal road use at the pressures I am using.

Try the recommended pressure by Continental for the XT series; 1,8 / 2,2

Also make sure the bead is the same into the rim all around the tyre.

That feeling of tipping over is something that I have with most new tyres, probably due to the fact that most old tires square off and don't "fall" into the corners nicely. For me it's just getting used to it, getting a bit of confidence in the bike again. Does it feel like that it tips over, but is it stable (i.e. can you keep it where it "falls")?

I have a set of Conti TKC80 on my 34L which are more off road biased. They are really confidence inspiring and handle much better than I thought they would. Most modern tyres will outperform the rider.
Could it be something else as the other replies have said?
Wheel bearing or misalignment with the rear tyre?
Normally you can tell if the front pressure is too low, the front end feels heavy or sluggish to respond.