Scary Handling
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
i realigned my 08 sg with a brick layers straight edge and it handled alot better. i tried E3s it was a little better than the dunlops. cycle gear had a sale so i switched to the metzlers and i will never buy another brand again. i would say it was a 40% improvement. no wandering or grabbing a groove. i always ran them on my crotch rockets but never thought to put them on any of my harleys.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 1
From: Athens, Georgia
When I first started riding my bike I bet I stopped 10 times thinking I had a "slack" rear tire because it felt like my tire was going flat. I found that even 1-2 lbs. of air pressure made a difference. Like someone else said I took off the stinking Dunlops and (In my case) put Avons on the bike, end of problem, I still check the pressure often, the following of grooves in the road totally stopped, it feels good in curves, much better on wet roads, etc. etc. Yes they are "Soft" and don't get the milage but I'd much rather be safe. I also went to 15 weight fork oil and "Works" rear shocks.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: TX
Check out this product http://www.glide-pro.com/ this is soposed to cure most if not all the wiggleing, wobbleing.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
Change your fork oil to Screaming Eagle heavy... it will stabilize your bike....When your front end is too soft you wobble going in a curve too fast...Tires make a big difference...The stock 402's don't handle that well...Metzelers handle better so do Avon's and Dunlop Elite 3's. I will definitely admit that a Goldwing handles much better than a Harley in the curves but do you really want to give up on HD....I am not ready for that....To each is own...I didn't install a brace, only the forkoil and the Hard riding i do in the NC mountains has really improved... Good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 774
Likes: 21
From: Florida
You state that the problem is "lately".......... That means only one of two things. Either you are more comfortable on the bike now and are pushing it harder than you were before, or somthing has changed.
If you are riding more agressively now because you are more comfortable, then a stabalizer might be the answer.
If you are riding the same as you always have, and the problem is coming on 7,000 miles into it, something has changed with your bike. It could countless things.
Dennis
If you are riding more agressively now because you are more comfortable, then a stabalizer might be the answer.
If you are riding the same as you always have, and the problem is coming on 7,000 miles into it, something has changed with your bike. It could countless things.
Dennis
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 989
From:
my 07 doesn't exhibit it noticeably in turns, but i do not push the envelope much (geezer)...
however, this chassis design is reaching a damping/resonance issue at 80 mph and above, especially with excitation inputs such as rain grooves, a regular series of bumps or ruts, or the simple handlebar pulse input caused by rapidly reaching around with your hand and pulling your wallet out - ask me how i know about that one
- it caused a WOOO Woo woo wo snake slither chassis shimmy that i thought was going to result in catastrophe like the handlebar/front end shimmy's of the old kaw h1's. definitely a puckering experience. recommend cooling it on these things - ride within the limits of the design... just my 2 cents...
however, this chassis design is reaching a damping/resonance issue at 80 mph and above, especially with excitation inputs such as rain grooves, a regular series of bumps or ruts, or the simple handlebar pulse input caused by rapidly reaching around with your hand and pulling your wallet out - ask me how i know about that one
- it caused a WOOO Woo woo wo snake slither chassis shimmy that i thought was going to result in catastrophe like the handlebar/front end shimmy's of the old kaw h1's. definitely a puckering experience. recommend cooling it on these things - ride within the limits of the design... just my 2 cents...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,788
Likes: 203
From: SW Florida
Try the SE "Heavy" Fork Oil PN 99881-87. It's inexpensive and a do it your self job. I did it on my 08 SG and it was a big improvement. Here's a nice write-up on the process. Or you could go with a set of Progressive springs.
I recently installed the Progressive Drop-in Lowering Kit, drooped the front 1" with the SE "Heavy" fork out and was pleasantly surprised at how much nicer a ride they provide.
I recently installed the Progressive Drop-in Lowering Kit, drooped the front 1" with the SE "Heavy" fork out and was pleasantly surprised at how much nicer a ride they provide.
Last edited by Bertk; Sep 17, 2009 at 06:24 PM. Reason: Added link
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,802
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, UT. Dushore, Pa.
First I would start with rear tire change to Dunlop E3 even though there is some tread left it goes fast and it definetly effects handling when they get worn. I'm thinking since it just started this will help. Do you have spokes, or have lowered the bike, this can cause problems? If so make sure they are tight and true. Then fork oil, etc. as others have stated next. For some reason the whoble seem to be more prevalent with SG's and two of the main differences are the shorter shocks and the wheels.