friend had accident recently due to wobble
Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,820
Likes: 6,614
From: Northern California
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 9
From: Scotland
It is way better than taking responsibility for setting the bike up properly for the rider and learning how to ride properly, when it showed up on the police bikes it was down to adding all the additional equipment and not tuning the suspension to suit, in the case of what the OP describes though it sounds more like a tank slapper which are always rider induced.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 727
Likes: 31
From: Fenton, MO
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.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
Wobble on the front end can be rider error, and in this case, was. Sometimes head shake can be a design flaw, out of true wheels, cupped tires, or improper tire pressure. In this case it was rider error, and no he did not "lay er down", he fell off.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 12
From: NoVA
In heavy crosswinds inexperienced riders have a death grip that can cause a severe counter steer action when hitting a gust, that throws them off the highway. This accident really sounds similar, ie. pilot error. Another cause for this type accident would be loose steering head bearings. Which is very easy to check.
Sounds like it could have been a tank slapper, I think that's different than bagger wobble. I've experienced tank slappers before (not on a Harley) and that's a different animal than the wobble I've experienced on my baggers.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
Improper maintenance, improper loading, and rider error account for probably 99% of the "death wobble" incidents.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
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?