Highway stability
Same bike in the pics yessir. It's certainly a different bike than I came from which was a rocket/naked, so that was clearly much better at higher speeds. I too am getting away from going fast. I tried to preface the thread with "short highway blasts", which is exactly what I meant. Just to jet by a semi or some traffic, I don't like being stuck in a herd. I'm not dragging it or on a quest for it's maximum speed.
I'm asking others with similar bikes/builds if that's how these normally feel at that speed, and I consistently have been hearing that it isn't really a common feeling. I'm also accustom to being buffeted around (previous bike was a naked).
I certainly love the bike, it's phenomenal and put a grin on my face from ear to ear, definitely getting more smiles per gallon than I did with the previous one.
Appreciate everyone's input, thank you all, loving the community.
I'm asking others with similar bikes/builds if that's how these normally feel at that speed, and I consistently have been hearing that it isn't really a common feeling. I'm also accustom to being buffeted around (previous bike was a naked).
I certainly love the bike, it's phenomenal and put a grin on my face from ear to ear, definitely getting more smiles per gallon than I did with the previous one.
Appreciate everyone's input, thank you all, loving the community.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Here is a sticky that has some info.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...nce-guide.html
I no longer have a manual so if you have one, refer to Table 1-2 for a list of critical fasteners (your 2019 manual may be different)
To help fork stability, you may want to consider installing a fork brace.
grbrown's post is something to consider (not about the ear plugs although a good suggestion)....if the wind causes you place a death grip on the handlebars and it is causing you to wobble, your fork will also wobble logically. I remember occasionally encountering strong wind that blows your bike side to side and being practically blown off my seat. However, after installing a fairing, I never encountered that issue again.
Does the wobble occur anytime you go that speed regardless of where? The reason I ask is that the road condition can also cause wobble. I have a freeway near me that has some squiggly/wavy lines cut into the concrete and that causes my bike to wobble whenever I ride that route.
Last edited by hscic; Jun 7, 2019 at 12:48 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 299
From: SC
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
what I'm saying is that from personal experience the rider can introduce that wobble! Been there and put it right many times over the years. The cause in this case may well be something else, but it costs a pair of cheap foam ear-plugs to find out. I've been wearing them since the '70s! High bars are particularly susceptible to rider-induced wobble.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 124
Likes: 26
From: Mechanicsville, Va
Interesting thread here...I figured I'd add my .02 and experience...whether it helps any, who knows
My 2016 48 EVERY NOW AND THEN will get some wobble/instability and high enough interstate speeds...I just attribute it to being a small bike not really meant for that type of riding. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I consider it.
Weirdly enough though, this seems to have DECREASED in occurrence and intensity since swapping from a 7" rise set up to a 14" rise set up.
My 2016 48 EVERY NOW AND THEN will get some wobble/instability and high enough interstate speeds...I just attribute it to being a small bike not really meant for that type of riding. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I consider it.
Weirdly enough though, this seems to have DECREASED in occurrence and intensity since swapping from a 7" rise set up to a 14" rise set up.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 35
Likes: 4
From: Battle Creek, Michigan
Hey everyone! Thanks for all the pointers.
I've subsequently checked the manual and increased rear spring pre-load for my weight and brought tire pressure up slightly, it was a tiny bit low. Ran it to the dealer today and the guy ended up checking out the Steering Stem bearings where the fork and triple tree meet. It was within spec, but at the bottom of the spec for tightness. He increased it to the max spec and I've just gotten back from an hour jaunt in mixed riding and am happy to report that it seems to have corrected the issue I was experiencing. There is defiantly still wind blast and I can notice that a heavier bike would be better for prolonged highway, but that's a really small amount of my riding. Re-torqueing critical fasteners to spec for the win, Thanks hscic.
I've subsequently checked the manual and increased rear spring pre-load for my weight and brought tire pressure up slightly, it was a tiny bit low. Ran it to the dealer today and the guy ended up checking out the Steering Stem bearings where the fork and triple tree meet. It was within spec, but at the bottom of the spec for tightness. He increased it to the max spec and I've just gotten back from an hour jaunt in mixed riding and am happy to report that it seems to have corrected the issue I was experiencing. There is defiantly still wind blast and I can notice that a heavier bike would be better for prolonged highway, but that's a really small amount of my riding. Re-torqueing critical fasteners to spec for the win, Thanks hscic.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
Glad you got it resolved....your issue could have been many things so we were all guessing as to the most logical issue to address, including me.
I would suggest you check your battery or put it on a tender and fully charge it as I have seen recently several batteries go dead on new bikes.
I would suggest you check your battery or put it on a tender and fully charge it as I have seen recently several batteries go dead on new bikes.
Last edited by hscic; Jun 7, 2019 at 04:05 PM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: SE Kansas
Mine is a hammered 97 and I know that little wobble you are talking about. Have you found anything?. Any updates? I have gone thru mine front to back. My next try is to drop the apes.
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