Front end chatter can be due to suspension or tyre issues but its root cause is due to the load on the front forks.
Chatter manifests itself as a heavy vibration through the handlebars, often mid-way through a corner, when the tyre is working the hardest. It can result in the bike running wide, or worse, the front tyre losing traction.
If you are suffering from front-end chatter, the first thing to check is your front suspension travel. Most riders do this by using a cable tie around one fork stanchion.
If you are using all of your suspension’s travel then the chatter could be due to the fact the front fork can no longer absorb anymore forces and so those forces are put through the tyre and not the suspension. This will be clear cut if you get chatter under braking and not just mid-corner.
If you are not using all the available travel, then the front end may be too stiff which itself will cause chatter as the bike won’t be transferring its weight properly onto the front tyre, which then won’t be able to find grip, then it will find grip and this loss and regaining of grip appears like chatter.
Another area to consider is the rebound settings on the front fork. If this isn’t set correctly and the rebound is wound in too far, the fork won’t be able to extend fast enough and therefore through the corner the fork’s travel will progressively decrease until you run out of suspension.
This chatter can get worse with worn tyres, as they are not as capable as fresh tyres at finding grip.
Check your tyre pressures, check your suspension travel and check your lap times. Chatter can be a by-product of when the bike is near its capability but that’s not to say you can only get it when you are putting in super fast lap times. Chatter appears when the bike is nears its limit and its potential limit could be reduced if the suspension is badly set up.
If in doubt, consult an expert at the track.
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