Was it between 40 and 30 mph where the wobble happened?
front end wobble
Just came back from a 10 day road trip through NewBrunswick NovaScotia Main riding my 14 Street Glide Special loaded side bags with heavier leather rain gear jeans shoes top bag with sweaters t shirts under ware
Kept a bag on top rack for what we needed to bring in the room every night with some close
with this weight on the back of the bike I had serious front end wobble at low speed even if I took my wife and top bag off the bike still had front end wobble take off all the weight bike rides great
The dealer tell me every thing is to spec on the bike and has no real answer to why this is happening
Any one else experiencing this?
Kept a bag on top rack for what we needed to bring in the room every night with some close
with this weight on the back of the bike I had serious front end wobble at low speed even if I took my wife and top bag off the bike still had front end wobble take off all the weight bike rides great
The dealer tell me every thing is to spec on the bike and has no real answer to why this is happening
Any one else experiencing this?
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Did you have the rear shocks pumped up to 50 psi ? With all that weight they should have been.
I just got back from Sturgis. I rode solo so I didn't have the bike loaded with stuff. The wobble for me came at over 75mph on slight curves. It's happened before during on a trip but I noticed those days were pretty windy. I guess windy days and going over 75 on slight curves is not a good mix for my SG. I am wondering if I upgrade my front with the progressive mono tubes and having a true track installed will solve the problem.
I would try dialing the shocks up to the stiffer setting to carry the load.
I have my side bags full and also a tour pack and haven't seen any wobble, recently I have changed the rear shocks to progressive shorties and it handles the same smooth ride no wobbles.
I have my side bags full and also a tour pack and haven't seen any wobble, recently I have changed the rear shocks to progressive shorties and it handles the same smooth ride no wobbles.
Check tire condition and pressure - particularly the rear tire (I realize this is counter-intuitive but rear tire pressure problems can manifest themselves as front end wobble.)
Barring that and any adjustments pending in your air shock system, you may need to have the steering head bearing adjusted. This seems to be an endemic problem for bikes coming from the factory (some with inadequate grease in that area, or not being adjusted correctly.) Just a suggestion.
Barring that and any adjustments pending in your air shock system, you may need to have the steering head bearing adjusted. This seems to be an endemic problem for bikes coming from the factory (some with inadequate grease in that area, or not being adjusted correctly.) Just a suggestion.
Which progressive shocks did you go with? I'm thinking of going with the 444 11 inch if I can go that low.I would try dialing the shocks up to the stiffer setting to carry the load.
I have my side bags full and also a tour pack and haven't seen any wobble, recently I have changed the rear shocks to progressive shorties and it handles the same smooth ride no wobbles.
So the shocks are stock and not air I have one adjustable shock which I put right to the highest setting starting from the lowest did not make any difference
Tire pressure was checked every day always read at 38 to 40 PSI rear
bike is currently in for 8000 k service so far every thing checks out to be spec for bearings and front end will test with some weight when I pick it up
May have to address changing the rear shocks and or doing some thing with the front end
Tire pressure was checked every day always read at 38 to 40 PSI rear
bike is currently in for 8000 k service so far every thing checks out to be spec for bearings and front end will test with some weight when I pick it up
May have to address changing the rear shocks and or doing some thing with the front end
the wobble happens at low speed under 15 kmpr usually turning or performing a u turn riding into a gas station and circling for a pump turning a corner from a stop or even coming to a stop
Did you solve this yet?
If not I'd check (or ask the dealer check if it's under warrantee) the fork bearing. The procedure is in the manual but basically you jack up the front end, pull the handle bars over to left completely, let them go and it should swing right, left, right and stop. If it swings less than that it's too tight, more than that and it's too lose. You have to check it with the shock nut torqued to spec so it's a try and re-try process to get it right. (Ask me how I know :-| )
You've already done the obvious, tire pressure etc.
Lastly I'd check the alignment of the rear wheel. Measure the distance from the center of the rear axle to either a point on the swing arm or, if it's easy to get to it, the front of the fork tube. Make sure it's the same on both sides.
Would love to hear what you find out.
If not I'd check (or ask the dealer check if it's under warrantee) the fork bearing. The procedure is in the manual but basically you jack up the front end, pull the handle bars over to left completely, let them go and it should swing right, left, right and stop. If it swings less than that it's too tight, more than that and it's too lose. You have to check it with the shock nut torqued to spec so it's a try and re-try process to get it right. (Ask me how I know :-| )
You've already done the obvious, tire pressure etc.
Lastly I'd check the alignment of the rear wheel. Measure the distance from the center of the rear axle to either a point on the swing arm or, if it's easy to get to it, the front of the fork tube. Make sure it's the same on both sides.
Would love to hear what you find out.
Death wobble
Hey all. Was reading some old posts and some have mentioned death wobble in their Harley's particularly with the turning models. Just wondering if anyone knew of any precautions to take, or if something can be added to prevent the likelihood of it occurring. Someone mentioned a rear stabilizer. Also, what do you do in the event that you do experience a death wobble? Obviously try and slow down but are their steps that anyone knows of?? Dos and dont's?? Thanks all!!!
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"I'd rather be riding my motorcycle thinking about God than sitting in church thinking about my motorcycle"
Hey all. Was reading some old posts and some have mentioned death wobble in their Harley's particularly with the turning models. Just wondering if anyone knew of any precautions to take, or if something can be added to prevent the likelihood of it occurring. Someone mentioned a rear stabilizer. Also, what do you do in the event that you do experience a death wobble? Obviously try and slow down but are their steps that anyone knows of?? Dos and dont's?? Thanks all!!!
.…...........................................
"I'd rather be riding my motorcycle thinking about God than sitting in church thinking about my motorcycle"
The "Bagger Wobble" as it is commonly referred to happens with the 08 and earlier touring models and rear stabilizers help with that problem. HD made the touring model frame change in 09 and it was suppose to take care of the bagger wobble problem.
No the '09 frame change didn't do away with the problem. Here is the link if you want to read actual information about the issue.The "Bagger Wobble" as it is commonly referred to happens with the 08 and earlier touring models and rear stabilizers help with that problem. HD made the touring model frame change in 09 and it was suppose to take care of the bagger wobble problem.
http://www.harley-davidsonforums.com/forums/general-motorcycle-related/160625-harley-wobble.html
Somebody really needs to kill this thread.
Tried to link the YouTube video for that annoying Wobble song but didn't quite work as intended.
center Of gravity is your friend in a death wobble. There are some great vids out on this from some English cats in the 70’s but long story short get smaller, become one with the bike SLOWLY lay on the tank or slouch. Just get shorter it changes the center of gravity point on the bike and reduces the wobble give you better control. At that point I use light pressure on the rear brake with slight increase in throttle. Throttle helps straighten the bike out and breaking gets you back down below the speed of the wobble. Several things can cause the issue tire pressure and condition but the biggest problem is the HD spec for the neck bearings is to tight. I’ve had this issue on a couple of mine 03 deuce, 11 street glide, and 19 road glide in the speed range of 105-125 mph made the adjustments and all 3 of these bike will do 130+ no issuesDeath wobble
Hey all. Was reading some old posts and some have mentioned death wobble in their Harley's particularly with the turning models. Just wondering if anyone knew of any precautions to take, or if something can be added to prevent the likelihood of it occurring. Someone mentioned a rear stabilizer. Also, what do you do in the event that you do experience a death wobble? Obviously try and slow down but are their steps that anyone knows of?? Dos and dont's?? Thanks all!!!
.…...........................................
"I'd rather be riding my motorcycle thinking about God than sitting in church thinking about my motorcycle"
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
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