Low Speed Front End Wobble FLHTK
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 130
Likes: 15
From: Florida
Low Speed Front End Wobble FLHTK
My bike is a '14 FLHTK with 14,000 miles. I've had it since new.
So, I'm out riding this morning when, while coasting down to a stop, I take my hands off the bars for a second and they begin to wobble, BAD.
The wobble started out slowly and very rapidly progressed in intensity to the point that if I hadn't put my hands back on the grips I would have quickly lost control of the bike.
Thinking that this was possibly just a one off event, I tried it again, and sure enough it did it again. I isolated the window of where it would occur at between 31 and about 38 MPH. Above or below those speeds, no wobble. I checked the front tire and there is no cupping or obvious signs of uneven wear and there is plenty of tread left. The pressure is exactly where is has always been.
The interesting thing to me is that with any pressure on the grips at all, there is absolutely no hint of the wobble.
My concern is that this is a symptom of something more serious developing. It has never done this previously. Has anyone experienced anything like this?
So, I'm out riding this morning when, while coasting down to a stop, I take my hands off the bars for a second and they begin to wobble, BAD.
The wobble started out slowly and very rapidly progressed in intensity to the point that if I hadn't put my hands back on the grips I would have quickly lost control of the bike.
Thinking that this was possibly just a one off event, I tried it again, and sure enough it did it again. I isolated the window of where it would occur at between 31 and about 38 MPH. Above or below those speeds, no wobble. I checked the front tire and there is no cupping or obvious signs of uneven wear and there is plenty of tread left. The pressure is exactly where is has always been.
The interesting thing to me is that with any pressure on the grips at all, there is absolutely no hint of the wobble.
My concern is that this is a symptom of something more serious developing. It has never done this previously. Has anyone experienced anything like this?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 170
Likes: 23
From: KC
I had the same thing on my '11 FLHTK. Got worse and worse over time so that even at 70 mph it would do it. Dealer and indy mechanics couldn't fix it. Got new tires and it lessened, but never went away through 35K miles. Started even wobbling in high speed curves at speed with hands on the bars - was getting more and more unstable.
Wish I had a fix for you, but mine was to trade it.
Wish I had a fix for you, but mine was to trade it.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 233
From: North East, MD
My bike is a '14 FLHTK with 14,000 miles. I've had it since new.
So, I'm out riding this morning when, while coasting down to a stop, I take my hands off the bars for a second and they begin to wobble, BAD.
The wobble started out slowly and very rapidly progressed in intensity to the point that if I hadn't put my hands back on the grips I would have quickly lost control of the bike.
Thinking that this was possibly just a one off event, I tried it again, and sure enough it did it again. I isolated the window of where it would occur at between 31 and about 38 MPH. Above or below those speeds, no wobble. I checked the front tire and there is no cupping or obvious signs of uneven wear and there is plenty of tread left. The pressure is exactly where is has always been.
The interesting thing to me is that with any pressure on the grips at all, there is absolutely no hint of the wobble.
My concern is that this is a symptom of something more serious developing. It has never done this previously. Has anyone experienced anything like this?
So, I'm out riding this morning when, while coasting down to a stop, I take my hands off the bars for a second and they begin to wobble, BAD.
The wobble started out slowly and very rapidly progressed in intensity to the point that if I hadn't put my hands back on the grips I would have quickly lost control of the bike.
Thinking that this was possibly just a one off event, I tried it again, and sure enough it did it again. I isolated the window of where it would occur at between 31 and about 38 MPH. Above or below those speeds, no wobble. I checked the front tire and there is no cupping or obvious signs of uneven wear and there is plenty of tread left. The pressure is exactly where is has always been.
The interesting thing to me is that with any pressure on the grips at all, there is absolutely no hint of the wobble.
My concern is that this is a symptom of something more serious developing. It has never done this previously. Has anyone experienced anything like this?
Last edited by rwven; Oct 2, 2016 at 03:51 PM. Reason: additional information
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 839
Likes: 6
From: Virginia
With 16k on my bike, it is also starting to do this. I had two Goldwing GL1800's and they are also famous for developing a low speed wobble that is only noticed when you ride with no hands. Long story short, it's almost certainly your tires. I wouldn't worry about it unless it starts showing itself while you are still controlling the bars. As soon as you put new rubber on, it will almost certainly go away.
Stock tires are probably cupped , i a new set of tires on at 13k and the wobble was gone. I didnt have to make any adjustment to the neck bearing.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 6,630
From: Gruene Texas
Not a habit, but when on cruise, I will let go of the bars on my 14 Limited, and it will slowly start the death wobble. Never tried it above 40 mph. Has done it since new. When I had my 03 Heritage, you could go forever without touching the bars.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 905
Likes: 51
From: New Jersey
I had this exact same issue on my Road Glide Ultra. Take my hands of the bars at 35-40 mph and it would start to wobble. As the bike slowed down, it would get worse and worse.
Did some searches on here and found that to be a symptom of steering head bearings that need to be tightened. Took it to the shop and that's exactly what they found. Problem completely disappeared after this was done.
Did some searches on here and found that to be a symptom of steering head bearings that need to be tightened. Took it to the shop and that's exactly what they found. Problem completely disappeared after this was done.
