Defense of the Mana's handling

[Motopsycho]

IMHO the Mana is a great handling bike in stock form and doesn't deserve the endless criticism about the front end.
Yes the front end is mushy but it soaks up bumpy roads admirably.
Yes, mid turn corrections (particularly with the front brake) where one doesn't trail brake into the turn at speed are messy. I learned that the first two weeks of ownership back in 09 when I came into a turn too hot and didn't trust or understand that the Mana will turn in tighter than most of us are capable of and so I chickened out by hitting the front brake, the bike stood up and I really blew the turn. After that I learned to trail brake into the turn and if I misjudged the speed, it is a simple matter to hang my knee out further and lean it over further. In this situation the Mana has never let me down. Virtually all of my riding over the last 2 1/2 years has been over twisty roads, mountain gaps, hot laps on track and in the company of other like minded people on all types of motorcycles.
I can appreciate Pete's horror of being mid turn, going too fast and encountering a vehicle in his lane. That surely is a nightmare that the Mana would not like if corrected to the high side with sudden brake application and a serious throttle change which apparently was the only option, but to call the handling of the stock bike so awful and slam it constantly just gives the rest of the world trying to learn about the Mana the wrong impression.
I can dig up the article where a stock Mana in Europe kept pace with a Shiver on a racetrack with a competent rider aboard but I think everyone has seen that already.
Anyone else agree with me or am I the only one ?

[PSolk]

I learned that the first two weeks of ownership back in 09 when I came into a turn too hot and didn't trust or understand that the Mana will turn in tighter than most of us are capable of and so I chickened out by hitting the front brake, the bike stood up and I really blew the turn. After that I learned to trail brake into the turn and if I misjudged the speed, it is a simple matter to hang my knee out further and lean it over further.

This has NOTHING to do with the Mana and is riding 101... And the correct counter if you come in too hot is NOT to hang your knee out more it is to apply more countersteer and then adjust your body weight to get your butt and CG over to the side you are leaning into.

maybe time for an ART (Advanced Rider Training refresher?)

The Mana is good on smooth long corners, push it too far or need to correct your line to the outside and try to quickly swing it back tight into the apex again and it can eat you up. Come ride mine and tell me the flexibility of a good adjustable front end combined with a better rear shock does not absolutely transform the bike...

Is it adequate, yes, is it the bottom end of Aprilia "Motorcycle" suspensions, absolutely... Could it be better 110%...
-P

[mllcb42]

I can dig up the article where a stock Mana in Europe kept pace with a Shiver on a racetrack with a competent rider aboard but I think everyone has seen that already.
Anyone else agree with me or am I the only one ?

The shiver and mana suspension seem to be pretty much the same, so this doesn't tell us a whole lot regarding handling differences.

[pete roper]

The shiver and mana suspension seem to be pretty much the same, so this doesn't tell us a whole lot regarding handling differences.

This.

They are both crap and to my mind, in 2011, barely adequate. Look, if you're happy with it? That's fine. My 'Naked' has tried to kill me several times now and my GT gave me a couple of 'Moments'. To me that simply isn't good enough. YOMV.

Pete

[vrider]

I think the Mana handles fine for it's intended purpose. It's not a sport bike, it's a standard style bike, about 57 HP at the rear wheel, with many of it's owners coming from scooters. It's good all around bike, and I'm very happy with it. However, compared to other bikes I've owned or own, I'm a little less confident pushing it in the corners. I don't know why, I'm not that technically astute, but I always thought it was the weight. My old SV650 handled a little better with similar quality suspension, but it carried about 100lbs. less weight.

[oldspice]

Maybe I wasn't pushing it too hard, but I thought the Mana handled superbly in the twisties of NC, TN, and GA this past spring. I was very surprised at how well it wanted to lean in and grab the corners. Of course, I wasn't dragging a knee or anything, but it felt well planted.

That said, I have had a few iffy moments when grabbing a little bit more brake than I needed, but luckily, that's all been in the straight stuff.

I do think a better suspension would be nice, and that's definitely a consideration for my next bike. But not 100% necessary for Mana, at least for me.

[Mattel]

Maybe I wasn't pushing it too hard, but I thought the Mana handled superbly in the twisties of NC, TN, and GA this past spring. I was very surprised at how well it wanted to lean in and grab the corners. Of course, I wasn't dragging a knee or anything, but it felt well planted.

That said, I have had a few iffy moments when grabbing a little bit more brake than I needed, but luckily, that's all been in the straight stuff.

I do think a better suspension would be nice, and that's definitely a consideration for my next bike. But not 100% necessary for Mana, at least for me.

I ride mine very hard when I ride it. My main bike is a ducati 1100s. The suspension is top of the line ollins. I cannot run it as hard in the turns, but my duck is 1/3 lighter with bst's now. Still I believe I have said you have to set up and adjust the suspension on the mana. I believe race tech gold cartridge emulators will add slow speed compression dampening and that will help better controlling your suspension at your forks. Besides, most manuf. Set up thier bikes for people weighing 150lbs! If you weigh more and you have never touched the suspension don't expect a flawless ride!

[SilverSurfer79]

I think the Mana handles fine for it's intended purpose. It's not a sport bike, it's a standard style bike, about 57 HP at the rear wheel, with many of it's owners coming from scooters. It's good all around bike, and I'm very happy with it.

THIS AAAND......

Maybe I wasn't pushing it too hard, but I thought the Mana handled superbly in the twisties of NC, TN, and GA this past spring. I was very surprised at how well it wanted to lean in and grab the corners. Of course, I wasn't dragging a knee or anything, but it felt well planted.

THAT.

I'm by no means a track racer but was surprised the other day whilst hurrying to work because I was late when I got into a tight corner a little too fast but the Mana stuck with it to the point that the pegs and side of my shoe was scuffing the pavement. Comming out of the corner I decided that my life wasnt worth the cost of being chewed out by my boss, so I slowed down. But I also thought that the Mana handled that quite well. Just my experience.

[romana]

Kids on tricycles are faster than I am so my opinion does not count. I do, however find the suspension a little harsh on bad city roads.

[Mattel]

Kids on tricycles are faster than I am so my opinion does not count. I do, however find the suspension a little harsh on bad city roads.

Adjust high speed dampening. Front and rear. I think you can even lighten the fork oil too.

[armadillored]

I have more trouble on slow speed corners than moderate / fast cornering. It seems that my Mana is glued to the pavement at moderate to fast speeds and will easily tame most any corner as long as I'm going above 30mph or so. Personally I really like the suspension, it eats up all the bumps although it dives a bit on hard braking. I just can't find anything wrong with the bike, although I have to admit I've only been riding bikes for about 40 or so years.