Total Motorcycle Community Forums

First off let me state that I am one if the (and possibly the only) 18 year old rider that does not dream of Gixxers, weave between traffic, and race every Honda Civic with a coffee can. I have my helmet, gloves, jacket and boots on every ride, and have taken every class I can (BRC, ERC, FAST [Florida Advanced Sportsbike Training]). I have been riding for 4 months,

I am not sure if my problem is with my riding of with my bike (1997 Katana). Every training course has emphasized the importance of braking with both brakes. My problem is sometimes, maybe three or four times, under heavy braking the rear will fishtail, but will not be locked or squealing at all. I just loose all feeling in the rear, knees to the tank, and look straight ahead. I don’t release the rear (bad times) and am not sure if I increase forward braking.

Sooo... am I braking incorrectly?
Brakes need some TLC?
Tires? (BTW what’s a way to test for appropriate tire tread [Penny Test?])
Anything else?

Wow, this is a really long post, but it is a very unnerving feeling......"Hmm my right turn signal is touching my elbow....that’s never good..." LOL

It almost sounds like your experiencing headshake, not rear tire fishtailing. But it's hard to say for sure. Heavy braking can set up oscillations in the frontend on some bikes, especially if there is another issue, like a busted belt in the front tire, worn head bearings or a bent something or other.

Rear worn shocks can also cause this.

might want to take it to a mechanic and have him give it a once over.

My bike did that, and a closer look showed my left shock preload was tampered with so they didn't match. Mine adjust by hand with a twist, yours might not.