Free Fix for Touring Wobble
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 6
From: Spokane, WA.
I have felt the wobble on a 70 mph on a freeway sweeper- I did not come into the the sweeper HOT, this was about 4 months after getting my NEW RKC. Tire pressure spot on to factory sticker on frame, tires less than 6,000 miles on them, and I weigh 160 lbs., the bike was not in any way overloaded. I was solo and not carrying that much for a week long ride trip to California.
Let me tell ya.... when that f-tard bike started wagging on me-
It was not a fun experience but I knew what it was, as I had read about it here.
I got the b-hutch under control, but the experience pissed me off, as you don't expect stuff like that to happen. My first HD was a 07 FLSTF which I traded in for the FLHRKC. I also had in my past street ride experience a 750 Yam, and a 650 Yam, and I grew up riding dirt bikes.
I have considered a bagger brace such as the true trac and will probably get one. I just remain cognizant of the fact that the potential for wobble is there. I check my tires weekly and keep my speed lower than posted going onto those sweeper corners.
Let me tell ya.... when that f-tard bike started wagging on me-
It was not a fun experience but I knew what it was, as I had read about it here.
I got the b-hutch under control, but the experience pissed me off, as you don't expect stuff like that to happen. My first HD was a 07 FLSTF which I traded in for the FLHRKC. I also had in my past street ride experience a 750 Yam, and a 650 Yam, and I grew up riding dirt bikes.
I have considered a bagger brace such as the true trac and will probably get one. I just remain cognizant of the fact that the potential for wobble is there. I check my tires weekly and keep my speed lower than posted going onto those sweeper corners.
Last edited by mgmmgm; Jul 1, 2014 at 01:51 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
Never experienced this on 3 Harley touring bikes, 1 2010 and 2 2011's. Probably why Harley doesn't admit a problem, it's just not that widespread. But if and when it does happen to me, I will look at changing brands.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 622
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
This is more a problem with the older pre 2009 frame. HD has slowly made improvements, new swing arm, swing arm bushings, and larger transmission bolt in 2002, new frame design in 2009, now in 2014 a new frame neck design with larger bearings and bolt, larger fork tubes and stronger triple trees.
I have experienced the "wobble" changing lines in a curve and hitting a seam in the road. NOT fun. Tire pressure, fork and shock pressure good, bike aligned, head torqued to spec, one up, not over the gvw. This is with the bagger brace. Had it happen every time a mile from my house at 30 mph in a left hand sweeping turn that has a bump in it. That's more of a wallow.
The original design works for an FXR weight bike, not for a dresser. The FXD has had a larger front end than the touring line for how long?
I have experienced the "wobble" changing lines in a curve and hitting a seam in the road. NOT fun. Tire pressure, fork and shock pressure good, bike aligned, head torqued to spec, one up, not over the gvw. This is with the bagger brace. Had it happen every time a mile from my house at 30 mph in a left hand sweeping turn that has a bump in it. That's more of a wallow.
The original design works for an FXR weight bike, not for a dresser. The FXD has had a larger front end than the touring line for how long?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,929
Likes: 8,033
From: poway
This is more a problem with the older pre 2009 frame. HD has slowly made improvements, new swing arm, swing arm bushings, and larger transmission bolt in 2002, new frame design in 2009, now in 2014 a new frame neck design with larger bearings and bolt, larger fork tubes and stronger triple trees.
I have experienced the "wobble" changing lines in a curve and hitting a seam in the road. NOT fun. Tire pressure, fork and shock pressure good, bike aligned, head torqued to spec, one up, not over the gvw. This is with the bagger brace. Had it happen every time a mile from my house at 30 mph in a left hand sweeping turn that has a bump in it. That's more of a wallow.
The original design works for an FXR weight bike, not for a dresser. The FXD has had a larger front end than the touring line for how long?
I have experienced the "wobble" changing lines in a curve and hitting a seam in the road. NOT fun. Tire pressure, fork and shock pressure good, bike aligned, head torqued to spec, one up, not over the gvw. This is with the bagger brace. Had it happen every time a mile from my house at 30 mph in a left hand sweeping turn that has a bump in it. That's more of a wallow.
The original design works for an FXR weight bike, not for a dresser. The FXD has had a larger front end than the touring line for how long?
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 4
From: Detroit, Michigan
I have felt the wobble on a 70 mph on a freeway sweeper- I did not come into the the sweeper HOT, this was about 4 months after getting my NEW RKC. Tire pressure spot on to factory sticker on frame, tires less than 6,000 miles on them, and I weigh 160 lbs., the bike was not in any way overloaded. I was solo and not carrying that much for a week long ride trip to California.
Let me tell ya.... when that f-tard bike started wagging on me-
It was not a fun experience but I knew what it was, as I had read about it here.
I got the b-hutch under control, but the experience pissed me off, as you don't expect stuff like that to happen. My first HD was a 07 FLSTF which I traded in for the FLHRKC. I also had in my past street ride experience a 750 Yam, and a 650 Yam, and I grew up riding dirt bikes.
I have considered a bagger brace such as the true trac and will probably get one. I just remain cognizant of the fact that the potential for wobble is there. I check my tires weekly and keep my speed lower than posted going onto those sweeper corners.
Let me tell ya.... when that f-tard bike started wagging on me-
It was not a fun experience but I knew what it was, as I had read about it here.
I got the b-hutch under control, but the experience pissed me off, as you don't expect stuff like that to happen. My first HD was a 07 FLSTF which I traded in for the FLHRKC. I also had in my past street ride experience a 750 Yam, and a 650 Yam, and I grew up riding dirt bikes.
I have considered a bagger brace such as the true trac and will probably get one. I just remain cognizant of the fact that the potential for wobble is there. I check my tires weekly and keep my speed lower than posted going onto those sweeper corners.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF. If you haven't done so yet read my thread on bagger wobble, so you get up to speed on the subject. There is no obligation to read beyond the first post!
Last edited by grbrown; Jul 8, 2014 at 03:14 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 12
From: SE Florida
I'm curious as to what a '70 freeway sweeper' is, and what 'coming into it hot' means. Is it an off ramp, which can sometimes be taken too hot? I don't think I've ever seen an off ramp with a posted speed limit, only 'suggested' speed limit. I've never had a sweeper on a highway sneak up on me! Usually I can see them coming from a distance, or I'll have seen the big sign that let's me know what's ahead. I have had a few lighter wobbles on my 2001, but never serious enough to complain, and I always knew what I did wrong. Lesson learned.
I don't mean to be picking on anyone, please believe that. I'm just using this as an example of 'possibly' going to fast to begin with. Are wobbles a fact, absolutely. A design issue, probably. Avoidable? Well,..........😳
I don't mean to be picking on anyone, please believe that. I'm just using this as an example of 'possibly' going to fast to begin with. Are wobbles a fact, absolutely. A design issue, probably. Avoidable? Well,..........😳
I'm curious as to what a '70 freeway sweeper' is, and what 'coming into it hot' means. Is it an off ramp, which can sometimes be taken too hot? I don't think I've ever seen an off ramp with a posted speed limit, only 'suggested' speed limit. I've never had a sweeper on a highway sneak up on me! Usually I can see them coming from a distance, or I'll have seen the big sign that let's me know what's ahead. I have had a few lighter wobbles on my 2001, but never serious enough to complain, and I always knew what I did wrong. Lesson learned.
I don't mean to be picking on anyone, please believe that. I'm just using this as an example of 'possibly' going to fast to begin with. Are wobbles a fact, absolutely. A design issue, probably. Avoidable? Well,..........?de33
I don't mean to be picking on anyone, please believe that. I'm just using this as an example of 'possibly' going to fast to begin with. Are wobbles a fact, absolutely. A design issue, probably. Avoidable? Well,..........?de33
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 12
From: SE Florida
There was nothing in my post where I said I was any more skilled than anyone else. I will brag about my skills in avoidance, though, if that makes you happy.
On I95 here in S. Fl it's dangerous enough to just ride in your car. South of Palm Beach and it's even worse because the Gray Hairs are in larger numbers. In my car I'll go 85, maybe 90 in a 70 zone. Slower speed limit and I slow down. But on my Road King I'm at the speed limit and no more (mostly, I do pass when needed!)
So what do you take away from the example I've just written. That I'm aware of my surroundings. Not bragging about any other skills than my own common sense.
How's this: if you can't see a freekin 70 mph sweeper coming at you, then you shouldn't be driving anything. Period. If you don't slow down for an on or off ramp to a speed appropriate for you and your ride, car or bike, then I can't help you. And I drive high performance autos, so I'm no saint, believe me!
And again, wobbles can happen even in a straight line sometimes. They start somewhere!?
On I95 here in S. Fl it's dangerous enough to just ride in your car. South of Palm Beach and it's even worse because the Gray Hairs are in larger numbers. In my car I'll go 85, maybe 90 in a 70 zone. Slower speed limit and I slow down. But on my Road King I'm at the speed limit and no more (mostly, I do pass when needed!)
So what do you take away from the example I've just written. That I'm aware of my surroundings. Not bragging about any other skills than my own common sense.
How's this: if you can't see a freekin 70 mph sweeper coming at you, then you shouldn't be driving anything. Period. If you don't slow down for an on or off ramp to a speed appropriate for you and your ride, car or bike, then I can't help you. And I drive high performance autos, so I'm no saint, believe me!
And again, wobbles can happen even in a straight line sometimes. They start somewhere!?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 342
From: Virginia Beach
Never saw any forum posts about high speed wobble on bikes that were doing the posted speed limit on sweeping turns. It was always from people exceeding those limits.
Maybe that is why HD never publically responded.
On my 07 I only experienced high speed wobble when going significantly over the posted limits on highway sweepers. Slowing down just a bit always made the wobble go away.
Maybe these are 800 lbs. cruisers, not racers.
No wobble at all with my 12.
Maybe that is why HD never publically responded.
On my 07 I only experienced high speed wobble when going significantly over the posted limits on highway sweepers. Slowing down just a bit always made the wobble go away.
Maybe these are 800 lbs. cruisers, not racers.
No wobble at all with my 12.