Front end wobble
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 170
Likes: 3
From: sycamore
Front end wobble
2011 Ultra Limited. If i take my hand off the bars the front end will wobble.Will not happen all the time all the time and all speeds. 5300 miles on original tires. Any ideas?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 389
From: Middle Tennessee
I had a similar experience with my 2007 FLHX and it slowly got worse as the time went on. 10 years is about max on those tires and I'd consider replacing them...that fixed it for me, but Cogswell also gave you some good advice. Leave nothing to chance...check out those bearings, too.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 6,697
Likes: 774
From: Stuart, Fl
Check your tire wear and wheel balancing and even air pressures. As tires wear this can be a problem i use dyna beads inside my tires they work well and help get you longer tire wear and take care of a lot of these problems been using them for years. Ride Safe Ride a Lot
Cruiser
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 117
Likes: 21
From: Minnesota
I have the exact same thing on my 2010 Ultra, I looked closely at my tires, (Commander 2's) and noticed just a slight cupping on the front tire, they have 16,000 miles on them so its time for a change.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 804
Likes: 105
From: Charlotte, NC/Greenville, SC
I ride a 2006 Fatboy with Dunlops. When I got the wobble I looked close at the front tire and noticed there was less tread on the left side of the tire so I changed it and the problem went away. I guess I ride more toward the ride side of the outside lane and with the pavement sloping to the shoulder the left side of the tire wears faster. I have noticed the same thing happens on my Sportster.
Last edited by motohaid; Jul 1, 2018 at 10:56 AM.
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,218
From: San Diego, CA
Even if a tire has a ton of tread ... the rubber degrades over time. It loses its grip and will perform poorly compared to a newer tire....
Six years MAX is my recommendation... if I see any signs of dry rot or sidewall damage/cracking, I'll change them sooner....
An old tire is much more likely to have a failure than a new one, why risk it when you only have two tires keeping you off the pavement...!
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 97
From: CA, USA
A friend of mine bought a used bike, the tires were over 5 years old. They had plenty of thread but the rubber was very hard. He lost the front end in a slow turn and crashed.
Your bike is from 2011 so the tires that are on it could be from 2010 or 2009.
For sure, please get fresh tires first.
Your bike is from 2011 so the tires that are on it could be from 2010 or 2009.
For sure, please get fresh tires first.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
One of my projects this year has been sorting out old tyres on some of our fleet of vehicles. I changed the stock tyres on our 2011 SuperLow due to age. We also have a 2011 VW campervan we bought new and checking the owners manual discovered they recommend changing tyres at 6 years, so that also now has a fresh set. My preferred bike brand is Avon and they recommend "after a total of 7 years" (from date of manufacture) on their UK website. So varying advice indeed, but in line with the above.
Last edited by grbrown; Jul 2, 2018 at 04:59 AM.