wobble wobble wobble
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
RE: wobble wobble wobble
I feel a rear wheel wobble on fwy aprox 70 - 75 mph. It may be grooves in the road or something else, but I often experience a weird, floating feeling in the rear of the bike.
Is it just me????
Is it just me????
Novice
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Austin
RE: wobble wobble wobble
06 Electraglide - On long curves going 70+ or grooved corners this thing scares the hell out of me. Never experienced anything close to thison any of my prior 9 bikes (including a Dynaglide and Softail)
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 5
RE: wobble wobble wobble
I can't say that I ever really felt a wobble, but I've frequently felt like the suspension was "mushy" in curves. I put on the TWR missing link as I took advantage of the recent group purchase and that mushy feeling is gone and my 08 Ultra holds a line in curves much better than before.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Inverness, FL
RE: wobble wobble wobble
Not enough mention of tires. My old rear tire was getting bad and at the recommendation of this forum went with the Michelin Commanders MU85.
I take the same route, same speed, same lane with nasty rain grooves, and yet the wobble is 95% gone. I have the '06 EGC.
I'm not saying a loose steering head bearing or rubber mounted swing arms are adding to the problem. Also, I don't know what will happen when this tire wears, but I do know she leans smoothly through the same 80 mph turn on rain grooves with the only real input I feel from the wind.
I take the same route, same speed, same lane with nasty rain grooves, and yet the wobble is 95% gone. I have the '06 EGC.
I'm not saying a loose steering head bearing or rubber mounted swing arms are adding to the problem. Also, I don't know what will happen when this tire wears, but I do know she leans smoothly through the same 80 mph turn on rain grooves with the only real input I feel from the wind.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From:
RE: wobble wobble wobble
Guys! You're riding on TWO wheels, physics does funny things. It isn't just a Harley thing or even a bagger thing only. I have a Softail that will do it too. If there were no rubber bushings in the bagger swing arm, everyone would be bitchin' about the vibration numbing there nuts.
As far as a bagger's reduced rake (and reversed triple tree), it is intended to allow a big heavy bike to be turned easily. After riding Softails for years, I can tell you that the increased rake angle on a Heritage is no picnic on the highway at times either. I feel the baggers handle MUCH better due to their geometry.
It can be improved upon, sure.
As far as low speed wobbles, loose bearings, wheels and low tires can make it worse but this is where physics comes in to play. At around 25 mph +/- the gyroscopic effect starts to take over. This is what allows the bike to want to stay upright. Notice that under 25 mph your steer the bike and over that you COUNTER STEER the bike. The wheels are acting as a gyroscope.
At a speed close to the cross over point (25 mph) the effect is not great enough to stabilize the bike. See, physics wasn't just a class to sleep through. LMAO
U
As far as a bagger's reduced rake (and reversed triple tree), it is intended to allow a big heavy bike to be turned easily. After riding Softails for years, I can tell you that the increased rake angle on a Heritage is no picnic on the highway at times either. I feel the baggers handle MUCH better due to their geometry.
It can be improved upon, sure.
As far as low speed wobbles, loose bearings, wheels and low tires can make it worse but this is where physics comes in to play. At around 25 mph +/- the gyroscopic effect starts to take over. This is what allows the bike to want to stay upright. Notice that under 25 mph your steer the bike and over that you COUNTER STEER the bike. The wheels are acting as a gyroscope.
At a speed close to the cross over point (25 mph) the effect is not great enough to stabilize the bike. See, physics wasn't just a class to sleep through. LMAO
U
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 723
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Florida
RE: wobble wobble wobble
American Bagger magazine the past couple of issues in their tech section has covered articles and installation procedures for these products to eliminate the wobble and tracking issues.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
RE: wobble wobble wobble
My buddies 07 Road Glide had a steering wobble when hand's off the bars at about 40mph. This was very noticeable when decelerating. Took it to the dealer and they tightenedthe neck bearing or something in the neck relating to a bearing and it dissappeared. Just FYI, the bike had about 4500 miles on it.
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: Feb 2008
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
RE: wobble wobble wobble
I always thought the wobble was total bunk...any bike will wobble due to loose swingarm bearings, under-inflated tires, loose headset. I also thought I kept my bike in good repair. Either way, I was riding from Shelby, MT to SLC, UT two years ago on I-15. I was going through the (I think) Sawtooth mtns south of Great Falls. I had just come over the pass, a big lake on the west side and a big sweeping turn to the left. I was cruising at about 80mph, about halfway through the turn and my rear end just starts wagging side to side. It started small and amplified itself. More throttle didn't help. Slowing down didn't help. Getting the bike up straight and finishing my turn in the emergency lane next to the guard rail solved it. I thought I had a flat tire. Once stopped, everything looked fine and the tire was inflated correctly. Wow, that was the wobble. I bought the True-Track (never changed anything else) and noticed a considerable difference in handling right away. That's my story and I'm stickin to it.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From:
RE: wobble wobble wobble
I'm a new rider and have noticed my rear wheel get a little loose in corners. It seems to be worse in right hand turns. Every now and then whenI get blasted with a big gust of wind, I can feel it ifI am riding straight. My buddy told me to tell them to check the spokes whenI go in for my 1,000 mile service. He has an 07 RKC (5500 miles), mine is a 08 RKC (550 miles). Of course, being a new rider this always concerns me when I feel this. Is this the same thing you guys are referring to? Should I be concerned, or do you think I can wait it out until my service appointment?
Thanks
Thanks