High Speed Wobble...When?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,246
Likes: 251
From: Belle River Ontario
A friend of mine had one on the way to sturgis a few years ago on his custom 85 FXR, batwing fairing. It was so bad it put him in the ditch and the hospital for a few weeks. I ran a 98 superglide with batwing fairing and I too have had a few speed wobbles.
Never had one of the Roadglide, I think it might be the fairing causing some of the problems when riding over 60mph. Remember, the original fairing from the 60's & 70"s the bikes topped out at like 70mph and this design has not changed much.
Never had one of the Roadglide, I think it might be the fairing causing some of the problems when riding over 60mph. Remember, the original fairing from the 60's & 70"s the bikes topped out at like 70mph and this design has not changed much.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,497
Likes: 101
From: Portland, OR
weebles wobbles
It all depends on your ridding style. Some will never experience it, because they don't push their bikes hard. I don't think you would ever feel it under normal ridding conditions.
The after market products sold to correct the problem, really do work.
G-
The after market products sold to correct the problem, really do work.
G-
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Seattle area
Like I've said in previoius posts:
I think most folks don't think they have the wobble because they don't know how to induce it, or what it feels like when it happens. I didn't know about it until I got on this forum and read about it. I thought it was the normal noises. There have been times I thought I had a flat rear tire on riding previous Ultras.
Let me know if you do or don't feel this after taking the wobble test:
ˇ Go down the road, straight, about 50 to 60 mph, both "hands on the wheel".
ˇ Take your **** and shift it hard to one side. Left or right doesn't matter. Your just trying to make a sudden c.g. shift.
ˇ See if the bike doesn't oscillate back and forth about 3 times.
ˇ If so, you've got the wobble.
My '08 did this from brand new. After installing the Ride Sr8t the bike is solid. Does not oscillate. I can shift my weight hard and the bike feels like it's bolted to the road. Huge difference in the sweepers, and more importantly heavy cross winds. I rode this weekend in some hellacious winds, 40 mph gust type, bike was stable and steady. Yeah, we got tossed around but never did I feel wobbly or outta control.
Some folks ask if they really need a stabilizer. Need? No. Should you have it for added safety and control? Absolutely. Why doesn't HD address it? 'Cause it costs money. They don't put the $20.00 fork baffles on anymore, why would they design and add the stabilizer.
That's my $1.98 worth.
I think most folks don't think they have the wobble because they don't know how to induce it, or what it feels like when it happens. I didn't know about it until I got on this forum and read about it. I thought it was the normal noises. There have been times I thought I had a flat rear tire on riding previous Ultras.
Let me know if you do or don't feel this after taking the wobble test:
ˇ Go down the road, straight, about 50 to 60 mph, both "hands on the wheel".
ˇ Take your **** and shift it hard to one side. Left or right doesn't matter. Your just trying to make a sudden c.g. shift.
ˇ See if the bike doesn't oscillate back and forth about 3 times.
ˇ If so, you've got the wobble.
My '08 did this from brand new. After installing the Ride Sr8t the bike is solid. Does not oscillate. I can shift my weight hard and the bike feels like it's bolted to the road. Huge difference in the sweepers, and more importantly heavy cross winds. I rode this weekend in some hellacious winds, 40 mph gust type, bike was stable and steady. Yeah, we got tossed around but never did I feel wobbly or outta control.
Some folks ask if they really need a stabilizer. Need? No. Should you have it for added safety and control? Absolutely. Why doesn't HD address it? 'Cause it costs money. They don't put the $20.00 fork baffles on anymore, why would they design and add the stabilizer.
That's my $1.98 worth.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Anything over about 80 and rough or uneven pavement. Notice it the most when turning or a strong crosswind. This is on an 06 RK. Not sure if running with the windshield makes a difference as when I'm riding on the highway it is almost always on.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
I have an '08 EG.
In the turns if I hit a good bump or a hard dip I will feel the frame flex. Frame flex is my term for it. This may be the wobble others feel.
Once on US12 in Idaho this summer I had the handle bars go into a rapid oscillation back and forth. It wasn't a tank slapper, but enough for concern. US12 in this section is about a 100 miles of twists and turns. It was a high speed left hand curve with a hard dip/bump hidden in the shade. I was leaning left to stretch out my back (long day, I was not trying to be Ricky Racer). The dip fully compressed the rear suspension and the handle bars went into oscillation. As I came out of the curve and slowed down, the oscillation disappeared.
I have increased the air pressure in my rear shocks a couple of times now. I may go higher again.
In the turns if I hit a good bump or a hard dip I will feel the frame flex. Frame flex is my term for it. This may be the wobble others feel.
Once on US12 in Idaho this summer I had the handle bars go into a rapid oscillation back and forth. It wasn't a tank slapper, but enough for concern. US12 in this section is about a 100 miles of twists and turns. It was a high speed left hand curve with a hard dip/bump hidden in the shade. I was leaning left to stretch out my back (long day, I was not trying to be Ricky Racer). The dip fully compressed the rear suspension and the handle bars went into oscillation. As I came out of the curve and slowed down, the oscillation disappeared.
I have increased the air pressure in my rear shocks a couple of times now. I may go higher again.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Stillwater, Minnesota
Here's my experience. I have an '07 RG and have read many other threads about stabilizers. I don't do corners at 90 MPH nor push my bike really hard, so I haven't experienced the dreaded wobble. However, I have been pushed around by a strong side wind, just like everyone else. I was out at Sturgis this year and Tru Track had a booth with free installation. Having read about these stabilizers, I thought what the heck and had it installed. The result? My bike is 'tighter' through normal turns, and the wind does not affect me as much. It's not a dramatic difference, but enough so that I thought the investment in better handling was worth it.
