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Death woble,tank slapper

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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 03:57 PM
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Default Death woble,tank slapper
Is it true softails are not tha prone to wobling at hi speeds as are touring models?I cam across a lot of isues touring owners are experiencing with tank slaps.......softails not tha much unless you drive really fast and there are bumps on the road......can a stabilizer really make a diffrence......or speeding up to get out of it...?
 
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 04:00 PM
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Changing your worn out engine mounts will make a bigger difference.
 
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 04:04 PM
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I rode a Road King across the land and back often at a high rate of speed for long periods of time. I could have laid down on the seat and taken a nap. I have ridden a softail for hours up and down I-95 at a sustained high rate of speed. Never an issue on either bike. Obviously, it has happened or there wouldn't be stories about it, but I would say keep your bike in good repair and you'll be fine. I would worry more about the teenie bopper on the cell phone than the death wobble.
 
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 05:36 PM
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Tank slappers are not model specific - it's a result of an underlying fault regardless of the bike - in my case loose rear spokes.
 
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 05:50 PM
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Only time I experienced it was when using the throttle lock and riding with no hands (its cold up here at the start and end of the season) eeven then just putting a hand on the bars stready out the wobble, and that is on a springer. I would chalk that one up to my own stupidity.
 
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by rwhisen
Changing your worn out engine mounts will make a bigger difference.
Softails are solid mount.
 
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by deedee4150
Is it true softails are not tha prone to wobling at hi speeds as are touring models?I cam across a lot of isues touring owners are experiencing with tank slaps.......softails not tha much unless you drive really fast and there are bumps on the road......can a stabilizer really make a diffrence......or speeding up to get out of it...?
Softails can still have problems, but are usually caused by loose steering head bearings or worn parts in the rear suspension, loose spokes, ect.
But not near the problems the touring bikes are having.
 
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Harleycruiser
Softails are solid mount.
Wasn't he asking about touring?


Good reading:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-exposed.html
 
Last edited by Juan L; Feb 27, 2013 at 08:22 PM.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 05:47 AM
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Originally Posted by rwhisen
Wasn't he asking about touring?


Good reading:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-exposed.html
Yea sorry
 
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 05:55 AM
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What are you considering "high" speed? I've been up to 85-90mph on my FLHTCU and it's still like riding a Cadillac.
 
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