High Speed Wobble - First Time!
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Illinois mid-weatern side
Check your steering head bearings or your front end shock clamps. From what experience I have had I found that if you rapidly and forcefully turn the front end from side to side while stopped with motor off you will find where the front end is loose or flexes. Usually you will see a lag or flex in the tubes that radiates up to the bars when riding and starts an oscillation. The only way to correct it if everything is tight is to install a steering damper. The tubes on our HD's are not the strongest they are inherently weak.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
Wow. After all this time, experience, and info, some of you arm chair engineers still don't get it. Too bad when pacman is told he had high speed wobble instead of rear steer he feels slighted and tries to use "aeronautics", and another calls stabilizers a fad.
"ignorance is what you wind up with when you don't have all the facts".
"ignorance is what you wind up with when you don't have all the facts".
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill, Ca
Fellow Riders......Please take this seriously.. I am recovering from an accident on easter sunday two weeks ago. I've got a broken hip and a busted femur.. See general HD chat and go to forum member down Page 7 to see what can happen. At 62 I am not an agressive rider and going with the flow of traffic in a right hand sweeping turn is not the same as going 85 or 90. To the member from TX on page 1, Just because you have rode for two years and haven't experianced it it just takes the right conditions, take it seriously. Please
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Illinois mid-weatern side
Cant agree with you all anymore about the pressure in the rear shocks. I will not be purchasing a stabilizer as I think that is the latest fad. What I have done is kept my pressures on the high side and have never had an issue with over 35,000 miles on my 07 ultra. I think that speaks for it's self just doing what the manual says it should be set at.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 774
Likes: 21
From: Florida
Wow. After all this time, experience, and info, some of you arm chair engineers still don't get it. Too bad when pacman is told he had high speed wobble instead of rear steer he feels slighted and tries to use "aeronautics", and another calls stabilizers a fad.
"ignorance is what you wind up with when you don't have all the facts".
"ignorance is what you wind up with when you don't have all the facts".
I do appreciate those that contribute to the discussion with helpful input but can do without the critics and negativity!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,709
Likes: 9,212
From: Snow Hill, NC
I have experienced the steering wobble while pushing it in curves and a bit on the interstate...I was pushing the limits of the bike though...From what i read i will eventually put a steering stabilizer...This is coming from guys that race bikes for years....I may be wrong but.....Live and learn.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Caledonia, Ontario Canada
Wobble
I have had the front end wobble at about 110 kmph. If I am in a sweeping turn at this speed or faster the wobble comes. Non Harley shop thought maybe the front tire had some irregular wear. It freaks me out when it does it. Thoughts?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
Steve,
That's a pretty severe wobble from what you describe. I've not seen many here describe it anywhere that severe.
My '05 EGC had it mildly in sweeping turns at higher speeds but nothing like that. Perhaps there were some other factors contributing to make it so bad - the wind or turbulence? Condition of shocks or fork/suspension? Just a guess there.
That's a pretty severe wobble from what you describe. I've not seen many here describe it anywhere that severe.
My '05 EGC had it mildly in sweeping turns at higher speeds but nothing like that. Perhaps there were some other factors contributing to make it so bad - the wind or turbulence? Condition of shocks or fork/suspension? Just a guess there.