A friend of mine on a 2011 ultra on the turnpike changed lanes to avoid another vehicle from his left.The extreme right had vehicles coming on to the turn pike when all of a sudden his front end wobbled violently non stop.Unable to control the bike He was able to lay the bike down. He suffered shattered elbo and some rash.He was extremely lucky as he was going near 70 when it occurred. This wobble i have heard of before.Anyone with more experience or insight have any info on these high speed wobbles on the harleys? I also heard some riders put stabalizers on their bikes.Any info?

 

Front wheel wobble is almost always rider error. A steering stabilizer would help...but make parking lot maneuvering a bitch. More of a sport bike thing.

 

My understanding was that problem was fixed with the 09 frame change. The only time I get any kind of wobble on my 11 Road King is at low speed and if I let go of my handlebars. I think that is in some part because I am due for a new front tire. Hope your buddy comes thru OK.

 

Laced wheels can also be a culprit even if it is a newer bike. Was he running laced wheels? I used to have them on my fxdx and once every 2 years I had to have them trued. I am also an idiot and do burnouts and stuff. Front wheel didn't hop or wobble as fast as the rear. Typically when the rear was getting out of spec, I would feel a front end wobble in high speed sweepers. If the wobble is up front its almost always from something in the rear.

 

He chopped the throttle during a quick lean right and stand back up...self caused tank slapper. my theory,

 

This has been discussed endlessly. Do a search.

 

Sounds like rider error to me and this "laying it down" business is rubbish, I suspect he fell off due to poor riding.

 

Tank slapper into a lowside...

Hmmm, trying to picture that....

 

Until you have it happen to you, you think google will fix it ? If the MoCo won't fix it, google shouldn't have to.
Although I haven't had it happen on my 2011, it certainly happened too often on my 2006.

 

Always amazes me that people seem to think that wobble is a manufacture deflect. A wobble can be everything from design, maintenance, setup, skills, use, and nature of the beast.