This can't be right.....is it? 40mph fighting bike to keep straight
This can't be right.....is it? 40mph fighting bike to keep straight
Guys is it normal to almost have to fight your softail going about 40 on a smooth straight line road? It's not bad but still noticeable and very annoying. Bike does not want to track straight and seems like its weaving back and forth. Granted softails are not known for their handling and I have a 200 rear and a 90 front and the bike is lowered and has a pro 1 tree. Can't remember my sporty or dyna WG ever doing this....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
IMHO, not only is it not normal, something is bad wrong and it sounds very dangerous! I would not be doing much riding or putting a loved one on the back of it until you figure it out and fix it too! I can set my cruise, no matter what speed I am doing and with no hands, and it is as straight as an arrow. It tracks perfectly! Good luck and keep us posted on this one. It may prove to be a good thing to get it figured out and sharing the info for others in the future.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Its not normal at all. And I've not heard that Softy's handle bad.
How long U had this bike.??
If U bought her used then U don't know how she was taken care of.
First thing I thought of is a bent frame.
If its not then check U tire pressure.
then Ur Neck bearings may be loose or bad.
Also bent rims. cupped tire, bad wheel bearings.
Rear tire not straight.
these are just off the top of my head,
ONe thing for sure is it needs taken care of ASAP and not ridden much till then...
Let us know what the problem was when U find out what it is..
.
How long U had this bike.??
If U bought her used then U don't know how she was taken care of.
First thing I thought of is a bent frame.
If its not then check U tire pressure.
then Ur Neck bearings may be loose or bad.
Also bent rims. cupped tire, bad wheel bearings.
Rear tire not straight.
these are just off the top of my head,
ONe thing for sure is it needs taken care of ASAP and not ridden much till then...
Let us know what the problem was when U find out what it is..
.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
Provided that I have enough momentum, such as going down hill, at 40 mph, I can remove both hands from the bars, and lean either right or left to follow curves in the road with the FatBoy. To track arrow straight, I need to place about an extra 10% body weight to the right side of the Boy. Having said that, she'll track like a freight train, so something is clearly amiss. 200 rear tire, 130 front tire.
Oh crap that's what I was thinking guys. I just bought it in march and it has always done it. Tire pressure looked dead on and front tire is still good tread rear is lower tread but not super bad. My pro 1 tree neck bolt was lose when I got it so I tightened that up but the bike did that odd stuff right away on the first night out I got it. The steering almost feels tight but is fine at low parking lot speeds. Thanks all for the help I will dig into this!
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 85
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Im running stock tires, but i can take both of my hands off and run a straight line as long as i have speed.
somethings way off.
somethings way off.
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Maybe I made it sound worse than it is. It's like a slight swaying back and forth. Deff not like it's on a set of tracks though. Almost like it wants to float left to right. There is no fight in the steering that stays straight. Almost like if someone is riding with and steering t he bike with their butt lol. Idk guys it's odd.