Loose steering
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 24
From: Florida
Loose steering
When I first got my Street Bob, I noticed when counter steering in 2nd, there was kind of a grating feeling in the handlebars. I figured it was just the vibration that I was feeling more in my hands from pressing. It stopped doing that a few days ago, which I thought was odd, maybe just stuff breaking in.
Today (200 miles later) I noticed my steering seems pretty loose. I can turn with little resistance and when I proceed to a stop, it's not very stable. I remember it feeling solid coming to a stop before, I didn't need to readjust the handlebars to keep balanced several times before fully stopped.
Bike only has 200 miles on it, anyone have a similar problem that got resolved?
Today (200 miles later) I noticed my steering seems pretty loose. I can turn with little resistance and when I proceed to a stop, it's not very stable. I remember it feeling solid coming to a stop before, I didn't need to readjust the handlebars to keep balanced several times before fully stopped.
Bike only has 200 miles on it, anyone have a similar problem that got resolved?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 8,742
From: Texas
Personally I would diy it - but this ^
And based on this - check / service the head bearings / races
Ghost
Ghost
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
New bike, have dealer do it under warranty. If not new I would agree with DIY.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 24
From: Florida
Took it in this morning. They took it for a test ride and said everything seemed to be normal and nothing was loose. They said to bring it up at the 1000 service if I still feel anything.
Mentioned maybe the change in feeling was the bike breaking in.
I don't really know how it SHOULD feel, i just know it's looser feeling than when I bought it. Even when I rode it there this morning it seemed to have a lot of play in the steering. I could be going crazy I suppose.
Is there any kind of test I can do to tell if it's acting as it should? You guys mentioned you'd DIY it.
Mentioned maybe the change in feeling was the bike breaking in.
I don't really know how it SHOULD feel, i just know it's looser feeling than when I bought it. Even when I rode it there this morning it seemed to have a lot of play in the steering. I could be going crazy I suppose.
Is there any kind of test I can do to tell if it's acting as it should? You guys mentioned you'd DIY it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,780
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,281
Likes: 1,139
From: southeast PA
Ask the dealer to let you ride one of their Street Bobs so you can compare. Actually, that's something the dealer should have suggested to you to put your mind at ease. And if you can tell the difference they will have to look into it further.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Texas
Well duh - I didn't pick up on it being a new bike
Dealer issue - fer sure
Ghost
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 227
Likes: 45
From: Santa Maria
What bike did you have before? I had these same issues with mine when i got it (picked up mine used though 2009 with 8k miles). I came from riding sport bikes (still have my Ducati 
) which have a much stiffer feel. Over time I got used to the looser feel of the bob. At some point i'll get a GPR steering stabilizer but that is much further down the road.
Not saying there isn't a problem somewhere that needs looking into, just throwing out the idea of you might be used to something stiffer and just need to get used to how the bob handles.
) which have a much stiffer feel. Over time I got used to the looser feel of the bob. At some point i'll get a GPR steering stabilizer but that is much further down the road.Not saying there isn't a problem somewhere that needs looking into, just throwing out the idea of you might be used to something stiffer and just need to get used to how the bob handles.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 24
From: Florida
What bike did you have before? I had these same issues with mine when i got it (picked up mine used though 2009 with 8k miles). I came from riding sport bikes (still have my Ducati ) which have a much stiffer feel. Over time I got used to the looser feel of the bob. At some point i'll get a GPR steering stabilizer but that is much further down the road.
Not saying there isn't a problem somewhere that needs looking into, just throwing out the idea of you might be used to something stiffer and just need to get used to how the bob handles.
) which have a much stiffer feel. Over time I got used to the looser feel of the bob. At some point i'll get a GPR steering stabilizer but that is much further down the road.Not saying there isn't a problem somewhere that needs looking into, just throwing out the idea of you might be used to something stiffer and just need to get used to how the bob handles.
The dealer basically said with only 200 miles on the bike, they wouldn't do any testing other than a test ride. They said things are still breaking in, and at the 1000 mile service, when they check the bike over, that's when they would address something like that.
Does anyone else get that wobble feeling when coming to a stop? Is it just how the bike is? Maybe things just felt tighter because it was brand new?