Free Fix for Touring Wobble
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 2
From: Cocoa Beach, Florida
I seem to remember something about "under-raked" and "wobble" that goes WAY back to perhaps the Dyna-Glide days. IIRC, the idea was that there is a slight under-rake in place to enhance low speed maneuverability that is handled okay because the wheelbase is so long. That, combined with the frame design, massive weight, limited lean angles, etc. etc. etc. makes touring HDs a tiny bit less nimble than AMA GP race bikes. I guess the moco figures that if you wanted a GP bike, than you would have gotten one of them too and that you would actually use the heavyweight touring bike as it was intended to be used.
Alright - jumping into my bunker now but that's what I remember from a longggggg time ago (way before the internet) on this same topic.
Alright - jumping into my bunker now but that's what I remember from a longggggg time ago (way before the internet) on this same topic.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 7
From: Keene, CA
And they aren't drag bikes either, so you guys are wasting your money on all those engine mods! And the seats, well - if you want it to feel like a Cadillac, you need to buy a Cadillac.
If you don't have a problem with the way your bike handles(runs,sits,looks), enjoy it as is. Nobody is trying to get you to buy anything you don't want. We ARE trying to help those who wish to make their touring bike handle better do just that.
Go jump in on a motor build thread and tell 'em how stupid they are wanting more power - 'cuz your stock 96 is all YOU need.
Go to a thread asking about seats and tell them HD seats have ALWAYS been crappy, and they just are riding too long.
Or maybe realize that these threads are about helping people make changes to increase THEIR enjoyment of THEIR bikes - not saying what YOU should do to YOUR bike.
If you don't have a problem with the way your bike handles(runs,sits,looks), enjoy it as is. Nobody is trying to get you to buy anything you don't want. We ARE trying to help those who wish to make their touring bike handle better do just that.
Go jump in on a motor build thread and tell 'em how stupid they are wanting more power - 'cuz your stock 96 is all YOU need.
Go to a thread asking about seats and tell them HD seats have ALWAYS been crappy, and they just are riding too long.
Or maybe realize that these threads are about helping people make changes to increase THEIR enjoyment of THEIR bikes - not saying what YOU should do to YOUR bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
Likes: 5
From: Alaska
You got to be careful how you describe it. Some folks panic easily (think of a stampede).
I am aware of a bit of a wallow in curves at speed when something disturbs the geometry of the suspension. It could be induced by adding or reducing power, it could be a road surface condition, it could be due to normal wear of components on the bike.
It does not appear to be life or death just annoying.
I am aware of a bit of a wallow in curves at speed when something disturbs the geometry of the suspension. It could be induced by adding or reducing power, it could be a road surface condition, it could be due to normal wear of components on the bike.
It does not appear to be life or death just annoying.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 7
From: Keene, CA
I don't know how many HD touring bikes exhibit "rear steer", "wobble", "looseness" or "wallow", but I know mine did. I guess it's not a defect if they're supposed to do that, but I really didn't care for it. It wasn't bad enough to keep me off the bike, or crash me, but it was enough to bother me. If yours doesn't do that, or it does and that doesn't bother you, ride it the way it is.
As far as if the Bagger Brace works - it does for me.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Miami
I am still amazed after reading a couple dozen threads, both here and other motorcycle forums (YES, OTHER MANUFACTURES HAVE THEIR "WOBBLE" ISSUES!!) that I can't seem to get enough info on it.
YES, it does exist across many brands of scoots; and yes other maintance issues seem to exaggerate the issue. Namely alignment, tire pressure, and wheel balance.
Keep posting...I feel the need to read more!!
~ RIDE SAFE ~
YES, it does exist across many brands of scoots; and yes other maintance issues seem to exaggerate the issue. Namely alignment, tire pressure, and wheel balance.
Keep posting...I feel the need to read more!!
~ RIDE SAFE ~
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Western North Carolina
The first lawsuit will change that.
In any event, I can't say I have faced the wobble on my 08 RK. I also haven't hit any sweepers at 75 mph.
I'd like to see them offer a fix, but half of the people I talk to say no wobble, the other half say wobble. Kind of hard to take a stance when there doesn't see to be a consensus - at least from my perspective.
In any event, I can't say I have faced the wobble on my 08 RK. I also haven't hit any sweepers at 75 mph.
I'd like to see them offer a fix, but half of the people I talk to say no wobble, the other half say wobble. Kind of hard to take a stance when there doesn't see to be a consensus - at least from my perspective.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
I started this thread so I thought Id jump back in to toss out what I think Ive learned from all of the great responses.
1) Does the infamous Wobble Beast actually exist? Probably.
2) Do most of these brace or stabilizer products address the issue? Probably.
3) Is one product any better than another? Probably.
4) Is this a better investment than chrome backing on your passenger floorboards and chrome trim rings around your gauges? Definitely!!!
5) Is $200 to $400 a worthwhile investment for a mod that PROBABLY improves handling and PROBABLY increases safety? YES.
6) Will the MOCO ever do anything about what MIGHT be a design problem? No.
7) Does it make the most sense to do the research and pick the best product rather than to try and save a few bucks? Yes.
So thats it. Its my responsibility so Ill do my research before picking a product and then install it.
1) Does the infamous Wobble Beast actually exist? Probably.
2) Do most of these brace or stabilizer products address the issue? Probably.
3) Is one product any better than another? Probably.
4) Is this a better investment than chrome backing on your passenger floorboards and chrome trim rings around your gauges? Definitely!!!
5) Is $200 to $400 a worthwhile investment for a mod that PROBABLY improves handling and PROBABLY increases safety? YES.
6) Will the MOCO ever do anything about what MIGHT be a design problem? No.
7) Does it make the most sense to do the research and pick the best product rather than to try and save a few bucks? Yes.
So thats it. Its my responsibility so Ill do my research before picking a product and then install it.