What's going on all? I'm new to this sight and hope I'm doing this right. I hate computers unless eBay is involved. I'm ready to punch my teeth out trying to figure out this problem I'm having, and wondering if its just the new tires I've put on my bike. I seen an earlier thread with the same issues but didn't really get any answers. Just looking for feedback. I have an 09 Street Bob. Has always tracked straight. @ 35000 miles, alway straight. Just put new tires on, Pirelli Night Dragons. I am getting a wobble at 78 mph and up. The shop replaced my new back tire, thinking it was a defective tire at no charge. Still same problem at high speed. Tracked perfect on the way to get the tire installed, and wobbled after. Replaced front tire with match to rear, tightened head set, rebalanced wheel, rechecked alignment. Everything is perfect, except the wobble. I have seen threads that say they wobble until broke in, but that seem strange since the tires are rated as high speed. The guy that works on my bike is awesome, with very reputable shop, and been working on my bikes for years. My bike is rideable, the wobble is not aggressive, just annoying the hell outta me. Advise?

 

Motor mounts? Suspension?


Odd that the wobble began at the same time as you had the new tires installed but that you've checked out all possible tire related issues without finding a problem.

 

You need to check the rear axle alignment. Your Indy might be good, but check it just in case . . .

 

Use the search on here...great threads on wobbles.

 

Thanks for the replies. I lowered the air pressure in the tire, that didn't help. We put my bike on a lift, strapped it down, jacked up rear end, then fired it up, put it in gear and aligned the rear tire and axle with the with it rotating, centering the belt on the pully. I've thought about motor mounts but again, it was perfect before the new tire. I'm sorry to say that I feel it's the tires. Maybe it will track better in 1000 miles or so, lol. Thanks for all your help, I was hoping to get an idea that we didn't think of!!!

 

What are you using to balance the wheel? Have you tried dyna beads?

 

I've heard of Dyna beads, never tried them. After some more research I found several people with same problem with these tires. One guy said he was running 45 psi in rear and it helped. The tire says max psi cold is 42. I put 43 psi in, didn't want to go too much over. But it did make a difference! I still get the wobble at 80-85 but it's slight, and less aggressive. I just hope I don't have to deal with this until my next set of tires.

 

They determine max tire press with large temp differences in mind.
Like riding at 80 all day in a 110F arizona desert or a cool run in the fog down 101 on the coast of Oregon.
I think you'll be fine with a pound or two over max given where you live.
Check your tire press in different temp conditions until you get confident that it won't get too high.

 

Don't know if this will help. Check your tires for a red dot on the sidewall. Mfgs put this dot where the tire is the heaviest. Remount the tire with the red dot in line with the valve stem (under the stem) on the wheel. Balance the wheel and tire again.


I learned this a couple of weeks ago. Never heard of it before. It won't hurt to try.