High Speed Wobble...When?
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 774
Likes: 21
From: Florida
That's some good gouge there Egldr05. Even though I don't have the problem doesn't mean I wouldn't benefit from having one. Plus I'm always looking for a reason to spend money on her.
I start to notice high speed wobble every 10 to 15 thousand miles on my 05 FLHR. I have the steering head adjusted (part of the regular service) and it's fine again. One trip it was really loose and I started feeling it above 80 mph. Normally it starts out above 95 or 100 mph. It will get worse if nothing is done for it.
Last edited by ironheaddave; Dec 12, 2008 at 08:03 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From:
Believe me, you'll know it when you get it.
Example 1: I-40 in AZ where the speed limit is 75 and you get run over by trucks doing 90. At 87 mph, I was hit by some truck turbulence and a bump in the road at the same time. After about 5 - 6 high frequency wobbles, it calmed down. I slowed down. At 87 or above, I was able to induce the wobble at will.
Example 2: Doing some high speed twisties on a nice smooth road. I was doing about 75 mph around one bend (not a corner, a bend), hit a decent mid corner bump, and I thought I was going to lose it. A nasty head shake for 5 - 6 side-to-side wobbles, before it settled down.
You can make it shake, wobble and weave by any mid-corner bump if you're riding in a spirited fashion.
I have a K1200GT that can hit a bump at twice the corner speed of the Street Glide and not induce any wobble or head-shake. Does this mean I don't like the Harley???? Hell NO! I love it!!!
A man's just got to know his (bike's) limitations...
Example 1: I-40 in AZ where the speed limit is 75 and you get run over by trucks doing 90. At 87 mph, I was hit by some truck turbulence and a bump in the road at the same time. After about 5 - 6 high frequency wobbles, it calmed down. I slowed down. At 87 or above, I was able to induce the wobble at will.
Example 2: Doing some high speed twisties on a nice smooth road. I was doing about 75 mph around one bend (not a corner, a bend), hit a decent mid corner bump, and I thought I was going to lose it. A nasty head shake for 5 - 6 side-to-side wobbles, before it settled down.
You can make it shake, wobble and weave by any mid-corner bump if you're riding in a spirited fashion.
I have a K1200GT that can hit a bump at twice the corner speed of the Street Glide and not induce any wobble or head-shake. Does this mean I don't like the Harley???? Hell NO! I love it!!!
A man's just got to know his (bike's) limitations...
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 200
Likes: 1
From: Sterling AK
On my 07 SG I would get the dreaded wobble on both right and left curves if I was 10 or more above the posted mph (65). With the 09 Ultra have yet to feel it. I did have a low speed wobble starting around 30mph while slowing down. They adj. the neck bearings
fairly tight and that seams to cure that, By the way how tight is to tight.
fairly tight and that seams to cure that, By the way how tight is to tight.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Kelowna BC
As others have said be glad you haven't experienced it. I had it from day one with my street glide. The dealer didn't believe me there was a problem with the bike until the owner road it and experienced a tank slapper. The dealer was great after that they did everything to fix the problem which they managed to tighten it up a lot. The bagger brace did the rest. The bike now rides like it should.
If you haven't experienced it, consider yourself fortunate. I've never had it to an extreme level, but I have certainly had it. It happens in a fast, sweeping turn when something (bump, dip) upsets the suspension. The swingarm will deflect side to side along with the normal up and down motion. On my bike, it's noticible at speeds above 60 or so. I've got a brace to put on, just one of my several winter projects.