Raingrooves are all the rage lately -- no doubt part of some make-work state highway project. For almost a year, I've been battling one stretch of highway that I ride frequently and the stock bike squirmed uncomfortably underneath me. Got the TWR brace, and I'd say that eliminated about 75% of the rain groove problem.

Next possibilities were the tires and maybe the laced wheels. I decided to go for broke and sold the laced wheels and went with a set of the wagon wheels (you can't see the wheels anyhow on an '08 FL), with a set of Metzler 880 (wide white) skins. Night and day difference probably solely due to the tires.

If you look at the tread pattern on the stock Dunlop tires, you'll see an alternating center pattern that surely causes the tires to squirm when they hit the rain grooves. The Metzlers (and the similarly treaded Avon Venoms) don't use this pattern. I rode for hours over grooved pavement today and couldn't tell the difference between that stretch of road and smooth blacktop.

 

Sound like you came up with the fix. Glad it is more stable now.

 

I would put my money on the wheels as the problem, I've seen it more than once were the spokes were loose and the rider said he must be getting a flat

 

Keeping the tires properly inflated helps a lot too. + or - 2 or 3 lbs can create problems.

 

Did you put the brace on before the tires or at the same time?

 

Well known cure for rain groove wobble:





Anything except Dumlaps, the lowest bidder.

 

I'd say it wasn't the wheels. I have wagon wheels and just changed from Dunlops to Michelins and the wiggle is gone. I have had laced wheels before too with the same results.

 

I'm happy with my TWR brace. But, I agree that it's probably the tires on the straight stretches of which you speak. I am going with a set of E3's for my next purchase and try them out.

 

I went with the E3s 6000 miles ago, the 402s were tracking the tar snakes and rain groove's too. handling is more stable in the curves and strait runs at higher speeds in crosswinds- I'll stay with the E3s from now on. JMHO

 

The only time the rain grooves bother me is in a curve, it feels like the tires are sliding sideways and it freaks me out. I've never felt any squirm while riding straight.