Death Wobble
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,642
Likes: 22,566
From: North Carolina
Wiggle Wiggle, Wobble Wobble
I have never experienced it or seen it happen first hand. However my best riding buddy was with a group of 6 guys heading to Florida two years ago. One guy who he had never met before had a new to him 2000 Classic. The bike had 120k miles when this fellow bought it. He rebuilt the engine, painted it and added new wheels and tires. On I-77 South of Charlotte they sped up to move around a group of cars before the left lane ended. This guy was in the back and the only person to see what happened was the bike directly in front of him and a guy in a car they were passing. At about 80 mph the handle bars started shaking back and forth uncontrollably. The guy lost control, hit a guard rail and broke his neck. He died instantly. His riding background was on sport bikes. This was the first cruiser he had owned and the first real ride since he completed the rebuild of the bike. By all accounts it was a "Death Wobble". What caused it no one knows? It has been suggested that the age and miles on the frame were a factor, the speed was a factor and possibly the front wheel setup he installed. I do not have any other details.
I have never experienced it or seen it happen first hand. However my best riding buddy was with a group of 6 guys heading to Florida two years ago. One guy who he had never met before had a new to him 2000 Classic. The bike had 120k miles when this fellow bought it. He rebuilt the engine, painted it and added new wheels and tires. On I-77 South of Charlotte they sped up to move around a group of cars before the left lane ended. This guy was in the back and the only person to see what happened was the bike directly in front of him and a guy in a car they were passing. At about 80 mph the handle bars started shaking back and forth uncontrollably. The guy lost control, hit a guard rail and broke his neck. He died instantly. His riding background was on sport bikes. This was the first cruiser he had owned and the first real ride since he completed the rebuild of the bike. By all accounts it was a "Death Wobble". What caused it no one knows? It has been suggested that the age and miles on the frame were a factor, the speed was a factor and possibly the front wheel setup he installed. I do not have any other details.
On April 14th, this year I had a guy move over right in front of me going half my speed. I ended up with a full on Tank Slapper, now I seem to feel the littlest things, since I am at 24600 miles I had my neck bearings adjusted. It rides great in hwy ramp curves. But if I get on it over 90 then let off the throttle I have some shake. But the last two weeks the wind has also been 20mph. Also it has felt lighter in the rear since putting on a larger windshield. But if I am 2up the ride is great.
2014 RK, Commanders II's with about 2500 on them
2014 RK, Commanders II's with about 2500 on them
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Riding a motorcycle is an inherently dangerous activity. If you are risk averse, I recommend a Toyota Prius and a pair of Birkenstocks. I had a 1973 Kawasaki H2; you wanna talk about a "death wobble" ???? Pffffffft That bike taught me how to ride my work bike, a 76 FLHP.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 33,711
Likes: 3,720
From: Connecticut.
On a serious note, I wound her up to the + side of 80, not the smoothest highway at the time, noticed a wobble. Right then and there I had my set speed limit....Basically any speed limit sign....hasn't wobbled since.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 270
Likes: 75
From: Houston Tx
I've been riding a 2014 Cvo road king for about a year and haven't experienced it yet, but I've been hearing more and more about the "death wobble". Is this something that is affecting touring bikes more, or all HD motorcycles? And are newer M8 bikes also affected? Just curious.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,054
Likes: 8,076
From: Canada
My 2011 RK has an ever so slight weave through long smooth turns. Best described as a feeling of vagueness that doesn't inspire confidence. Ill add an aftermarket link to the rear suspension and see if that tightens it up.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
Was about to purchase a 2011 Super Glide and my wife sent me a link regarding a "Death Wobble" and now I'm not sure I should buy it? I've googled this regarding Dyna models and there is some suggestion that they too suffer this issue. Is it still a problem, I've not heard of one case here in New Zealand and does it only effect early models with the rubber mounted engines?
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Clint Eastwood said it best. "A man's got to know his limitations". If your tire pressure is low, you may have issues. If you are riding faster than the speed limit for the road, you may have issues. If your rear wheel is not aligned with the bike and front end, you may have issues. If you don't have your front bearing packed properly, you may have issues. The only time I had "the wobble" was when I was taking an entrance ramp going somewhere around 80 and hit a dip. Almost crapped my pants. Tires were under inflated as I hadn't checked them a couple of weeks. The lesson? Keep up on your bike maintenance. Know the roads you are on. If not, slow the hell down. Oh, and if you want a fix for your rear end, grbrown has posted extensively on the topic.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
HD's all wobble if you use the wrong oil. Only HD branded oil is formulated to be compatible with HD branded tires so that as you roll down the highway dripping oil as you go, the "special" friction modifiers in the oil prevent instability as oil coats the tires. The stone masons who make pistons for HD engines can get the weights wrong and this too requires the proper oil if wobble disaster is to be averted. Wobble can also result if frame wood is not properly aged. This can lead to warping and all sorts of other problems too. "Avoid pine".
Hope this helps. Enjoy your Yamaha.
Hope this helps. Enjoy your Yamaha.