Track-True
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
The video was just to show what the Harley wobble looks like.. year not withstanding...
It DOES also apply to the '09+ bikes... I had my '12 Limited go into a bad wobble during a large, sweeping, high-speed (yes, I was going faster than the legal limit) curve on a freeway on-ramp. I suspect it looked a lot like the video. It only happened to me once... And no, nothing was broken. I checked the hell out of my bike when I got home; wheel bearings, tire pressure, and even did a fall away check the next day... all good. I read "grbrown's" explanation a short time later and got a True-Track. Never happened again....
Quoted from a post by "grbrown"...
"Wobble 2:
The lack of a rear stabilizer is IMHO a serious flaw in the way Harley introduced this design. That comment is entirely justified as every Buell has one, as do all rubber-mount Sportsters, so Harley knows how to do this. It is a mystery why our Touring bikes don’t have one.
This omission is the main source of the infamous ‘bagger wobble’. Lateral forces compress those rear rubber mounts and cause momentary misalignment of the rear wheel relative to the front wheel. The rubber used is stiff and only yields a little. It also is only able to compress to a small degree due to the design, but it is significant and too much.
2009-on:
While Harley continue to use a similar design of rear rubber mounting on their latest bikes, the old single front mount has been changed to a pair that are similar in design to the rear mounts. There are now four rubber mounts instead of three, but instead of leaving only the rear mounts without lateral support, neither front nor rear have a stabilizer.
Frankly, from an engineering perspective, Harley appears to have abandoned the fine principles of the original design. There are many reasons why Harley changed the frame, of which the engine mounting system is only one, however they could have retained the original design and simply added that vital rear stabilizer.
If you sometimes wonder about the handling of your lovely new bike, you have every right to. If you changed from a pre-09 bike to a post-09 one, to get a better handling bike, you simply jumped out of the fire into the frying pan!"
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,385
Likes: 1,442
From: Brentwood
I was riding with a guy through some twisties today and was very frustrated having to fall back an sweepers to avoid the wobble. I was trying to push close to 90 on big sweepers and got more wobble than I wanted to on each turn. He was on a Victory 1200 which I know will hands down out corner me. He was hitting triple digits smooth as hell and I know I could have approached 100 on these mild sweepers without the rear steer.
Cant wait to install the TT this weekend!
Cant wait to install the TT this weekend!
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 152
From: Calgary, Alberta
BTW, I really didn't have too much of an issue, but the bike is firmly planted in turns now. My buddy's SG would scare the crap outta me when watching from behind. His is solid in turns now as well. IMO, it;s a good fix and well worth the effort.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 142
Might want to take a look at this one. The concept is sound, and their claim that no vibration makes sense. Instead of locking the frame to the tranny where by you will get more engine vibration, this dampens it through a urethane block on both sides of a rail. Not lateral movement is allowed. Has anyone tried one of these? Its called Smooth Rider Stabilizer.
randy
randy
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 595
Likes: 21
From: Weston, Fl
Might want to take a look at this one. The concept is sound, and their claim that no vibration makes sense. Instead of locking the frame to the tranny where by you will get more engine vibration, this dampens it through a urethane block on both sides of a rail. Not lateral movement is allowed. Has anyone tried one of these? Its called Smooth Rider Stabilizer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2nfjfWf6MA&t=179s
randy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2nfjfWf6MA&t=179s
randy
Looks interesting, but is anyone actually using one that could give us a review.
Ed
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 142
Ed, I think I may just go with this one. They offer a 30 day no questions asked return wish is no big deal but they are the only ones who do. I have watched the video intently and the logic behind the design is spot on. I was a design engineer years ago and this definitely has my attention. I have never had the wobble on my 2003 RKC but this wont hurt. Winter install up here in Canada for those snowy long days.
randy
randy
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 266
From: Roma Alberta
I checked into the smooth rider on ebay, they are selling for $140. there was a "make offer" option so I figured I'd shoot them an offer of $130 and they accepted...so I guess I'm going to try the smooth rider. I kind of like the idea of not having it connected solid to the chassis, they claim it will not transfer vibration like the solid mounted options. I'll be sure to report my findings.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,249
From: San Diego, CA
I had a True-Track on my last bagger ('12 FLHTK) and I didn't notice any vibration transfer after putting the True-Track on it..... Doesn't mean it can't happen, just reporting that I didn't feel any increase in vibration...
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 266
From: Roma Alberta
I really wasn't expecting them to accept my offer, or I think I would have went with the Progressive setup.