**** Disclaimer..... I spent the money on purpose to ride how “I Like” and looking for helpful advice , hopefully not criticism.
Have 2017 Street Glide Special with 13k miles. At 100 mph straight forward bike starts the death wobble. If I let off throttle it will decrease with me tapering throttle. In long turns (expressway) probably 1/2 mile 90 degrees wobble starts at about 80-85. This never existed before so perplexed. Changed front tire 300 miles ago hoping to cure but no luck. Tire was balanced and rim checked and not warped. Rear tire has 1000 miles and started before it.
Store Service Manager who designed engine upgrades since left dealership but called him and he said have steering checked for looseness and rear axle as well.
Just wondering if anyone one experienced anything similar or has suggestions on causes.
Start with tire pressure being correct before tackling body issues. Check steering fall away first. Then do a drivetrain alignment. One of those should be the culprit.
Last edited by misfitJason; 06-02-2019 at 03:15 PM.
Appreciate it. I did pressure to the tee. I park in a wheel chock and just moved bars slightly back and forth the and they moved and tire didn’t. Don’t know if should have little play or not.
I have a 2015 flhx. I changed out the front stabilizer link due to some excessive play. also,I added an Alloy Art Touring Frame Stabilizer. no more wobble.
Checking fall away is a specific process. Use service manual specifically and get the updated procedures with the new tighter specs.
Second, if you haven't considered updating your front suspension now is the time. Even changing the fork oil to heavier oil has an impact. Updating to a cartridge type system is even better.
Last, realize the front fairing adds approximately 20 lbs to the front end and acts as a sail at high speed. Which is why the Roadglide with it's frame mounted fixed fairing provides great stability at high speed.
My suggestion is take this into consideration when you are making adjustments. You can't fix the fairing, unless you get a Roadglide, but other adjustment can somewhat compensate for the large sail upfront
Last edited by bigskyroadglide; 06-02-2019 at 05:41 PM.
OP, can you give more details on what the money was spent on/for and what was changed?
Did you change wheel or tire diameters? I had an 08 FLHX that I put a larger than stock front wheel and tire on which raised the front just enough that the bike no longer handled as well as stock. It probably would have gone into a wobble had I pushed it as hard as you do. Of course that is two frames back and things are much better now.
My only thing is that this happened pretty abruptly. I haven’t had any one suggest an upgraded suspension. I am completely mechanically ignorant so checking anything means off to the dealership. I have an amazing master tech but I didn’t spend the money I did on the engine work just to make a Milwaukee 8 sound like a real Harley, it’s also ride like it’s stolen.
Theres no no option for Road Glide so need to get this one back to hauling &#% safely. Lastly I did get small crack in windshield (Memphis x2) so was looking at KlockWerks which claims to help with the aerodynamics but can’t see it changing it enough.
I am thinking klockwerks may help. Mine starts to lift at 100-105 and has been pretty unpleasant at times. I have an older bike. I have done rear bushings and true track added a glide pro front mount. also changed out the rear shock fluid. all have made significant improvement. I have been up in the 90's with no problem but have not pushed it beyond that. If you try the klockwerks please post the results.
1. Has it always had the wobble?
2. Did you go 100 mph before the engine upgrades? and feel a wobble?
3. If not when did it start doing this? After the engine upgrades?
4. how many miles on the bike?
Tires (balance), steering neck bearings, rear bearings, rear suspension settings, engine frame alignment, in that order. If major engine work was accomplished would suspect the engine/frame alignment if the motor mounts were removed/loosened to get stuff off. Good luck and let us know what fixed it.
06-02-2019, 01:18 PM
Death Wobble at high speeds
