Hi all, hoping someone can help me with this issue! My 08 XT660R was stolen and had a small accident! Grrrr!!! Due to a lack of funding my poor baby had to stand for a year before i could get her up and running. Now that I'm back on the road i notice that my steering is getting sticky! I obviously feel this at lower speeds when i need to turn the handle bars more to turn. It seems as if i turn the bars its rather tight and then coming to the max turn point it loosens up! When getting my bike back on the road i had a major service done, they also replaced shock seals and front brake pads. I have had the bike back 3 times to the Yamaha dealer and they assure me that nothing they have done could cause this problem. The mechanic couldn't even feel this when testing the bike. The owner however did, so they stripped everything they touched and reassembled. The problem is still there i did ask them if it could maybe be the steering head bearings which they said they don't think so as there is no real grinding when they turn the bars! Could this maybe be the start of the bearing going? I must be honest I'm rather scared to dismantle the front to check the bearings myself and i don't want to have to pay R1500 to have the bearing changed if its not going to solve the problem! I just spent R6500 repairing my bike after the theft!
Any ideas?
Would really appreciate it!

It does sound like head bearings to me. Get the bike with the front wheel off the ground and turn the bars from side to side. Anything other than a smooth, silent glide is corroded or maladjusted bearings. It isn't a huge job, perhaps 2 hours for a competent mechanic, but I would get it done as soon as possible. I had the same with my Triumph Sprint and I continued riding it thinking I would sort the issue out 'later'. Then, on a low speed manoeuvre on dust and gravel, I dropped it.

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XT660R (2006)
XT600E (1994)
Triumph Trident 750 (1992)
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Sad to hear but thank you for the advise!!!

Just a thought, does it feel worse when you turn the bars either left or right? Or is it the same?

Could it maybe be a cable not routed correctly?

Was the steering lock damaged when stolen? This happened to mine. On the frame just under the ignition barrel there was a bit of twisted metel catching the lock when steering. Quick bang with a hammer and punch! Sorted

Sent by me.. Off me..

When turning left or right the tension feels the same, however when standing still the movement feels fine and loose, its just once i have started riding that the steering stiffens up. Steering lock is also good.

Thanks for the replies guys!!!

Forks straight or out of line.?Jack the bike up undo the fork clamp bolts check the forks compress ok.Check the yokes are not out of line.Could be a chip of metal off the lock in the lower bearing.

Thanks Mort will look into it! Just a thought... The stiffness is progressively getting worse but still fine when not riding. If there was something catching wouldn't i feel it while not riding as well? I nearly dropped my bike due to this issue today O.o

I think you should take it apart mate.check the head stock bearings it depends how much force was used on the steering lock.?

Dude that sucks! I was reading the whole post then and I was dead chuffed for u for fixing ur bike I. The end and then this! I feel for u man.