Death Wobble at high speeds
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 1,700
From: memphis
hey qnman, how was the trip. used to live in st.charles/ st.peters. moved away in '97. man from what I've seen that place has really grown. first trip to Sturgis? hope to go again next year.[ 80th anniv.]
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Singapore
I have a 2022 Street glide special. The bike is in complete stock condition at the moment. I am very new to the glide. I used to ride a Vrod and a Street bob (dyna). Very recently I hit the north south highways in Malaysia where the cross winds are quite strong. At speeds over 100miles, I experienced the a wobble similar to the ones described above for the first time. Upon adjusting the throttle, the wobble comes under control. The wobble increases and is stronger if taking a bend at 90-100 miles. I lowered the tyre pressure in the front, thinking that it would help a bit. There was a slight change, but almost close to negligible. Request you to please share your experiences on how to reduce this.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 944
From: Lincolnshire, IL
Don't ride 100mph would be my first suggestion. But IF you insist, then do it on a track with the proper cycle and training for !00mph plus speeds. Otherwise you might become a statistic.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 836
Likes: 230
From: Deep South
Aerodynamics...
Aerodynamics...
You might want to check that curved up windshield ...those dont do well at high speeds , especially since you say it's starting at 70 to 80 mph ...
plus the higher (in the wind) mirrors and bars ..
stock bike will not do that at those speeds !!!
You might want to check that curved up windshield ...those dont do well at high speeds , especially since you say it's starting at 70 to 80 mph ...
plus the higher (in the wind) mirrors and bars ..
stock bike will not do that at those speeds !!!
Last edited by springers4ever; Jul 31, 2023 at 11:19 AM.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Singapore
I have the stock windshield which is not curved.
I have a 2022 Street glide special. The bike is in complete stock condition at the moment. I am very new to the glide. I used to ride a Vrod and a Street bob (dyna). Very recently I hit the north south highways in Malaysia where the cross winds are quite strong. At speeds over 100miles, I experienced the a wobble similar to the ones described above for the first time. Upon adjusting the throttle, the wobble comes under control. The wobble increases and is stronger if taking a bend at 90-100 miles. I lowered the tyre pressure in the front, thinking that it would help a bit. There was a slight change, but almost close to negligible. Request you to please share your experiences on how to reduce this.
Tire pressure, 36 in the front, 41 in the rear, cold. Check and fill when cold.
Check to ensure the rear suspension is set to your weight through the preload adjustments.
On stock suspension, what you're feeling could very well be coming from the rear and have nothing to do with the front. I couldn't care less how fast you ride, but stock, these bikes aren't designed for that speed. If you really want to ride hard, change the suspension out and swap to poly bushings or even a moto bar set up that is completely solid. That will give you the most feedback.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,626
Likes: 4,080
From: Virginia
Some bat wings are prone to violent handlebar shakes at excessive speed, specially if you hit a indentation or protrusion in the road surface at a very high speed. DO NOT ride at those speeds till you figure this out. That shake can occasionally become uncontrollable and you will go down if that happens. Lots of great suggestions here from front suspension issues to tire condition/pressure. Good luck in solving your problem.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 944
From: Lincolnshire, IL
Since the original poster hasn't been on this thread since 2019 and wrote that he does his high speed riding on the Chicago expressways "late at night".......he might have already "met his maker" or at the very least the cops.
Sometimes I find myself driving on our Chicago expressways late at night (in my family SUV) and on numerous occasions, seemingly out of nowhere a pack of cycles approach from behind at seeps of at least 100mph...scaring the hell out of the few cars on that road. Super loud, and weaving like crazy. All it takes is for some car driver to get scared, change lanes as the cycles approach and a CRASH with a loss of life!
Believe me it's insane and deadly...........the more I think about the original poster the more I think it's very possible he's not above ground anymore.
Sometimes I find myself driving on our Chicago expressways late at night (in my family SUV) and on numerous occasions, seemingly out of nowhere a pack of cycles approach from behind at seeps of at least 100mph...scaring the hell out of the few cars on that road. Super loud, and weaving like crazy. All it takes is for some car driver to get scared, change lanes as the cycles approach and a CRASH with a loss of life!
Believe me it's insane and deadly...........the more I think about the original poster the more I think it's very possible he's not above ground anymore.