Road glide handling issues
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 5
From: whitinsville,ma
Road glide handling issues
16 road glide special 13k on it replaced both tires now on the highway at 70 it sways side to side like a boat not a wobble or shake replaced engine stabilizer did alignment for drive train air pressure dead on no warped rims or tires out of round steering head bearing is nice and tight Im out of ideas anybody possible have one?
Novice
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 10
From: SE Wis
The only thing I can comment on is when I replaced my tires on my KingRanch 250 the truck felt like it was on Ice for some time before the tires wore in. My oldest put new Pirellis on his VTX and he noticed the bike felt loose. After 50 or so miles it settled down. Which tires did you go with? It could be as simple as that.
JK
JK
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 2,056
From: Phoenix
What tires were installed?
I've had a couple bikes with Michelin Commander 2's on them. They seem "tipsy" to me. Kind of like trying to walk across a creek on a fallen log.
It almost feels like the width of the tire is more of a V profile instead of a U.
I've had a couple bikes with Michelin Commander 2's on them. They seem "tipsy" to me. Kind of like trying to walk across a creek on a fallen log.
It almost feels like the width of the tire is more of a V profile instead of a U.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 950
From: Port Saint Lucie, FL
The only thing I can comment on is when I replaced my tires on my KingRanch 250 the truck felt like it was on Ice for some time before the tires wore in. My oldest put new Pirellis on his VTX and he noticed the bike felt loose. After 50 or so miles it settled down. Which tires did you go with? It could be as simple as that.
JK
JK
Your new tires are well profiled and entirely round in profile. Pile on a few hundred miles and a center tracking strip will establish itself and the side to side drifting will disappear.
New Road Glide, about 1100 miles on it, so take it for what's it's worth. New tires, Metzler Cruistech from the showroom. ( I worked that in). They bike felt fine. Very easy to manage but I was recovering and riding pretty slow.
At about 450 miles, I got a nail in the rear tire. New tire. Rear end felt "loose" for about 50 or so miles. This is with Ohlins, so the tire was what caused the feeling. After that 50ish or so miles, it was normal.
Last thing was, I installed a Kraus kit and replaced the top clamp. The front end felt super weird. I could feel everything, including wind and even the painted stripes on the road. Incredible feedback because the clamping surface of the new top tree was solid. That hasn't stopped, I feel everything the tire is doing. But the floating feeling you're getting should subside with the tire wearing in.
At about 450 miles, I got a nail in the rear tire. New tire. Rear end felt "loose" for about 50 or so miles. This is with Ohlins, so the tire was what caused the feeling. After that 50ish or so miles, it was normal.
Last thing was, I installed a Kraus kit and replaced the top clamp. The front end felt super weird. I could feel everything, including wind and even the painted stripes on the road. Incredible feedback because the clamping surface of the new top tree was solid. That hasn't stopped, I feel everything the tire is doing. But the floating feeling you're getting should subside with the tire wearing in.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,898
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From: NJ
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Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: San Ramon, Ca
New tires will usually feel touchier (more responsive) til you adjust to them and they wear in a little
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 762
Likes: 435
From: NE Oklahoma
I concur with the newer profile on the new skins and the uneasy feeling you get. I have new Dunlop AE that I just put on last week and put a few miles running through some backroads at an easy pace but definitely felt a bit too skittish at first. They sure hugged them corners though quite well. 🤜🏼
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 507
From: Florida
"Steering head bearings nice and tight"
Do the proper fall away adjustment procedure. You are almost at the mileage this should be performed. 15,000 I believe is the #
To tight or to loose will cause problems.
Do the proper fall away adjustment procedure. You are almost at the mileage this should be performed. 15,000 I believe is the #
To tight or to loose will cause problems.
Last edited by V-Twins & Bowties; Aug 2, 2023 at 05:58 AM.