New Stabilizer - Again!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
The two points of my post were that first, a stabilizer will improve the ride at any speed & all conditions. And second, that the longer you can say "I've never felt a wobble" the better off you are. Wobbling can happen at a lot of different speeds depending on conditions. Improper steering head bearing tension, tire pressure, & alignment can all contribute to instability as can road surface. Your body position, & even the clothes you're wearing can have input since it's all part equation, so there is no one speed where these things occur. All motorcycles are subject to those issues, but Harley added the challenge of a flexible frame to drive train interface. On a $20,000 machine it seems reasonable to me to invest between $175 & $400 to keep all that shiny stuff shiny & the rider alive.
I had the wobble and took the easy way out. I got a set of Sta-Bo bushings and installed those. I paid under $100.00 and they are just as good as any stabilzer out there. My father has a stabilzer and he prefers the ride of my bike. We will be changing it out this month..
http://sta-bo.com/_wsn/page2.html
http://sta-bo.com/_wsn/page2.html
No Vibrations or issues at all..
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 8
From: Roswell, NM
And I'm trying to point out that despite the large number of riders with pre-'09 machines that insist they have no problem since they haven't experienced a "wobble", the problem still exists. I'm sure that in some cases a lack of experience is part of the problem, but without knowing the experience level of each rider I don't want to offend anyone.
The two points of my post were that first, a stabilizer will improve the ride at any speed & all conditions. And second, that the longer you can say "I've never felt a wobble" the better off you are. Wobbling can happen at a lot of different speeds depending on conditions. Improper steering head bearing tension, tire pressure, & alignment can all contribute to instability as can road surface. Your body position, & even the clothes you're wearing can have input since it's all part equation, so there is no one speed where these things occur. All motorcycles are subject to those issues, but Harley added the challenge of a flexible frame to drive train interface. On a $20,000 machine it seems reasonable to me to invest between $175 & $400 to keep all that shiny stuff shiny & the rider alive.
The two points of my post were that first, a stabilizer will improve the ride at any speed & all conditions. And second, that the longer you can say "I've never felt a wobble" the better off you are. Wobbling can happen at a lot of different speeds depending on conditions. Improper steering head bearing tension, tire pressure, & alignment can all contribute to instability as can road surface. Your body position, & even the clothes you're wearing can have input since it's all part equation, so there is no one speed where these things occur. All motorcycles are subject to those issues, but Harley added the challenge of a flexible frame to drive train interface. On a $20,000 machine it seems reasonable to me to invest between $175 & $400 to keep all that shiny stuff shiny & the rider alive.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Cape Girardeau, MO.
Did you have to take the pipes off? Are they just bolted into the swing arm side plates? Do the sta-bo go in from the front or the back side of the swing arm plate? Do you have to take the swing arm plate off? THANKS!!!!!!!
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 2
From:
I purchased the progressive a couple of weeks ago, Installed it this afternoon. Pretty straight forward install, the swing arm bolt on the bottom, you have to remove the exhaust. My son and I loosened up the exhaust and had enough wiggle room to get the bolt in. I did take it for a short ride this evening, and couldn't really tell the difference. Pretty much straight driving and the long sweeper that I wanted to try had deer on both sides of the road, hence, I went about 25. If we have another day like today, I will ride the wheels off and report back, I think they are listed back on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PROGR...1%7C240%3A1318
Last edited by gordon188; Apr 2, 2009 at 08:59 PM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 2
From: Novi MI
I have the Bagger Brace and it works great. In the May issure of Cycle World it states after testing the '09 Ultra:
"You'll wonder where the wiggle went. Since 1983, all FL tourers have rolled on that same chassis, which has undergone only a few changes along the way. That chassis nicely isolated the occupants from engine vibration, but the rubber mounts also meant the big V-twin motor could not serve as a stressed frame member, thereby compromising the handling. FL's ever since have been inclined to wallow when cornering on bumpy pavement, especially two-up, and sometimes wigggle when running over longitudinal grooves and seams in the pavement".
"You'll wonder where the wiggle went. Since 1983, all FL tourers have rolled on that same chassis, which has undergone only a few changes along the way. That chassis nicely isolated the occupants from engine vibration, but the rubber mounts also meant the big V-twin motor could not serve as a stressed frame member, thereby compromising the handling. FL's ever since have been inclined to wallow when cornering on bumpy pavement, especially two-up, and sometimes wigggle when running over longitudinal grooves and seams in the pavement".
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 19
From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
If you haven't had the wobble yet consider yourself lucky. I have a bike that is prone to it to the point I have considered selling it. I have just received a bagger brace and hope it will cure the problem. The fir and finish of the Bagger Brace looks great. I will let you know if it helps as the snow is finally gone now.