The "unstable" issue I cannot seem to cure
#51
02-11-2019, 02:15 PM
I’ve read this thread and I don’t think I can offer too much to what has been said. What I can say is I’ve ridden a few Forty Eights on hire and on demos and eventually bought a new one in 2015 - last of the spoke wheels. None of the bikes I’ve ridden have presented what you describe. My own has been on various tyres but now on 5x16 Victory TT Classics; larger in height than OEM. Again, no unusual behaviour other than the usual and wonderful shakes and vibrations you get with Sportsters. I am though thinking that at 6ft 6” tall your own physique might be something to do with your issues. I’m
5ft 11” and I find the reach, footpegs, seat height are all just about right. No unusual buffering at motorway/autoroute speeds etc as my head is not a great height above the bars/speedo. As you have found your experience on all the Forty Eights you’ve tried I think “common factor is...”. My son in law is 6ft 7” and he just doesn’t look right sat on my Forty Eight; he loves the look but both me and him are thinking he is better suited to the Softtail Slim option instead.
5ft 11” and I find the reach, footpegs, seat height are all just about right. No unusual buffering at motorway/autoroute speeds etc as my head is not a great height above the bars/speedo. As you have found your experience on all the Forty Eights you’ve tried I think “common factor is...”. My son in law is 6ft 7” and he just doesn’t look right sat on my Forty Eight; he loves the look but both me and him are thinking he is better suited to the Softtail Slim option instead.
#52
02-11-2019, 11:49 PM
It will be interesting to hear if a problem is found. Im sure there is a issue in one way or another.
I have owned a crossbones, Fat Bob and a couple of the fat front tired Sportsters over the years. I have always found them to ride very nice in terms of stability.
My experiance has always been the opposite. It has always been the skinny 21 inch tires that seem to give me fits with feeling unstable by following rain grooves and uneven roads.
I have owned a crossbones, Fat Bob and a couple of the fat front tired Sportsters over the years. I have always found them to ride very nice in terms of stability.
My experiance has always been the opposite. It has always been the skinny 21 inch tires that seem to give me fits with feeling unstable by following rain grooves and uneven roads.
#53
02-12-2019, 07:46 AM
I’ve read this thread and I don’t think I can offer too much to what has been said. What I can say is I’ve ridden a few Forty Eights on hire and on demos and eventually bought a new one in 2015 - last of the spoke wheels. None of the bikes I’ve ridden have presented what you describe. My own has been on various tyres but now on 5x16 Victory TT Classics; larger in height than OEM. Again, no unusual behaviour other than the usual and wonderful shakes and vibrations you get with Sportsters. I am though thinking that at 6ft 6” tall your own physique might be something to do with your issues. I’m
5ft 11” and I find the reach, footpegs, seat height are all just about right. No unusual buffering at motorway/autoroute speeds etc as my head is not a great height above the bars/speedo. As you have found your experience on all the Forty Eights you’ve tried I think “common factor is...”. My son in law is 6ft 7” and he just doesn’t look right sat on my Forty Eight; he loves the look but both me and him are thinking he is better suited to the Softtail Slim option instead.
5ft 11” and I find the reach, footpegs, seat height are all just about right. No unusual buffering at motorway/autoroute speeds etc as my head is not a great height above the bars/speedo. As you have found your experience on all the Forty Eights you’ve tried I think “common factor is...”. My son in law is 6ft 7” and he just doesn’t look right sat on my Forty Eight; he loves the look but both me and him are thinking he is better suited to the Softtail Slim option instead.
#54
02-12-2019, 07:48 AM
It will be interesting to hear if a problem is found. Im sure there is a issue in one way or another.
I have owned a crossbones, Fat Bob and a couple of the fat front tired Sportsters over the years. I have always found them to ride very nice in terms of stability.
My experiance has always been the opposite. It has always been the skinny 21 inch tires that seem to give me fits with feeling unstable by following rain grooves and uneven roads.
I have owned a crossbones, Fat Bob and a couple of the fat front tired Sportsters over the years. I have always found them to ride very nice in terms of stability.
My experiance has always been the opposite. It has always been the skinny 21 inch tires that seem to give me fits with feeling unstable by following rain grooves and uneven roads.
#55
02-12-2019, 01:44 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
#56
12-07-2019, 10:15 PM
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Exact same feeling
I have a 2018 forty eight and it has felt like this since day 1, even after it's first service. My dad was a bike dealer for 30 years and I tried describing it to him and he thought it was the faster speeds having less downward pressure on the rear tyre but I'm going to let him try it.
When I drive over 65mph I suddenly feel like the bike is on a tightrope and is ready to fall over either way every so often, it has a similar feeling to wind buffeting from the sides but it's not actually there, or the back giving way slightly and yet it's good straight clean road and weather perfect. Bike just doesn't like going over 65mph. It's a horrible feeling that genuinely has me wondering about trading in apart from that I love my bike.
When I drive over 65mph I suddenly feel like the bike is on a tightrope and is ready to fall over either way every so often, it has a similar feeling to wind buffeting from the sides but it's not actually there, or the back giving way slightly and yet it's good straight clean road and weather perfect. Bike just doesn't like going over 65mph. It's a horrible feeling that genuinely has me wondering about trading in apart from that I love my bike.
#57
12-08-2019, 02:25 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Just a thought , nobody's looking at the back end of this bike . I have seen reports of early wheel bearing failure on modern Sportsters . In my experience of other bikes , a rear end handling issue can often present itself as a front end issue because that's where your fighting it . I've also noticed that new Sportsters in the dealerships are displayed with their drive belts adjusted very very tight . I've never quite understood how a Sportster swing arm can be mounted to the engine when that engine is rubber mounted to the frame . So maybe the pulling to one side effect has its origins in this area .
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Longplay (12-08-2019)
#58
03-27-2021, 05:26 PM
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#59
06-25-2023, 05:11 PM
I have a 2022 Sportster 48 and have the EXACT same problem. It seems to struggle to track straight at Highway speeds and sometimes even slower. As I describe it, it "squirrels around". It's annoying at best and a bit disconcerting at worst. I can handle it but it does make me nervous at highway speeds. The Dealership refuses to acknowledge the problem. "Feels fine to us!" I'm sure they are aware of it but can't figure out how to correct it. If anyone comes up with a cure I would love to hear it. By the way, they dealership adjusted front fork tension and balanced the tires. No effect on the "squirrelyness"
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JWCFatboy (06-26-2023)
#60
06-25-2023, 06:43 PM
Road Master
I have a 2022 Sportster 48 and have the EXACT same problem. It seems to struggle to track straight at Highway speeds and sometimes even slower. As I describe it, it "squirrels around". It's annoying at best and a bit disconcerting at worst. I can handle it but it does make me nervous at highway speeds. The Dealership refuses to acknowledge the problem. "Feels fine to us!" I'm sure they are aware of it but can't figure out how to correct it. If anyone comes up with a cure I would love to hear it. By the way, they dealership adjusted front fork tension and balanced the tires. No effect on the "squirrelyness"
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dgerman (06-25-2023)