Over loading the bike
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 691
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From: Camano ls. Wa.
Over loading the bike
Camping with minimal essentials and I have a serious wobble in stop and go traffic or filling stations . I like my bike and would make the modifications but for sure , where to start ? Super glide 2004 . Thanks . Gene
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
Do you have the same problems when you have a passenger?
Your camping gear isnt going to weigh as much as a passenger will. With that said, add a little more air in the rear tire, and run your shocks up a notch or two. If the wobbles are still a problem, consider taking a close look at the swingarm bushings, and more likely, replacing the rear shocks. And check the spokes in your wheels.
Your camping gear isnt going to weigh as much as a passenger will. With that said, add a little more air in the rear tire, and run your shocks up a notch or two. If the wobbles are still a problem, consider taking a close look at the swingarm bushings, and more likely, replacing the rear shocks. And check the spokes in your wheels.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Gene,
Do you use saddlebags? They help by lowering some of the weight and is where the heavier stuff should go. Here in Europe we use tank bags on most bikes, which can move some of the weight forwards (also increase how much you can carry!).
On top of kk6pg's suggestions check front tyre pressure as well. Do you have a pic of your bike ready to roll?
Do you use saddlebags? They help by lowering some of the weight and is where the heavier stuff should go. Here in Europe we use tank bags on most bikes, which can move some of the weight forwards (also increase how much you can carry!).
On top of kk6pg's suggestions check front tyre pressure as well. Do you have a pic of your bike ready to roll?
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 270
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From:
another source
I have ridden at maximum gross weight w/ passenger and camping gear without wobble. I also had an accident 40 years ago when a front end wobble developed on my BMW, and I went down. This is something to check out asap, in my opinion. Tires may be the culprit. Maybe swingarm bushings, I don't know. Maybe something in the steering head. Get someone with serious knowledge to check your bike thoroughly, though. Good luck. BTW, I had a helmet on when I had the accident and it saved my life. Jay
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Scottsboro
+1 on the saddlebags
Gene, 
Do you use saddlebags? They help by lowering some of the weight and is where the heavier stuff should go. Here in Europe we use tank bags on most bikes, which can move some of the weight forwards (also increase how much you can carry!).
On top of kk6pg's suggestions check front tyre pressure as well. Do you have a pic of your bike ready to roll?
Do you use saddlebags? They help by lowering some of the weight and is where the heavier stuff should go. Here in Europe we use tank bags on most bikes, which can move some of the weight forwards (also increase how much you can carry!).
On top of kk6pg's suggestions check front tyre pressure as well. Do you have a pic of your bike ready to roll?
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 69
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From: Sanford, NC
My first extended trip, I rode from NC to Wash DC for the national Rolling Thunder event. I had filled my two saddlebags filled and lashed my old large military ruck to the sissy bar to accomidate 3-4 days worth of clothing and gear.
I used to slingload airlift equipment and my bike appreciated the properly balanced load.
I used to slingload airlift equipment and my bike appreciated the properly balanced load.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Camano ls. Wa.
Thanks for the replys . Tried to keep up on tire preasure . Had cast wheels and now spokes . Still had a slow speed wobble and never could you take your hands off the handle bars at highway speeds . Long sweeping cures were a real treet to . These problems occur loaded up whether running two up or one . I'm using saddle bags and duffle bag . Thirtythree thousand miles , so could there be a issue with swingarm bushings already ? Plus when loaded theirs a lot of weight past the rear axel ?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,707
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From: Newtown, PA
As the Motorcycle Safety Foundation points out, there is a "load triangle" that is formed by drawing an imaginary line from the rear axle to the rider's head, from the rider's head to the front axle, and from the front axle to the rear axle. For a load to be properly balanced, the load must be within this "load triangle." Having heavy loads "past the rear axle" (I'm assuming rearward like super heavy T-Bags or some such) will cause serious handling problems.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 1
From: Cornwall UK
Thanks for the replys . Tried to keep up on tire preasure . Had cast wheels and now spokes . Still had a slow speed wobble and never could you take your hands off the handle bars at highway speeds . Long sweeping cures were a real treet to . These problems occur loaded up whether running two up or one . I'm using saddle bags and duffle bag . Thirtythree thousand miles , so could there be a issue with swingarm bushings already ? Plus when loaded theirs a lot of weight past the rear axel ?