Wobble on 09 SG
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
A wise choice of brand! Unfortunately Metzeler's website is no use for pressures. I use Avon and they do give pressures for their tyres. For a WG, they recommend 36F and 40R on similar width tyres, but your bike is much heavier.
The pressures I use on my bike, with 130 16 inch front and 140 rear are solo 38F 44R. 2-up and fully laden I use 44F 50R. I know these are different brand and size tyres to yours, but I reckon you probably need say 4 psi more in the rear and as much as 8 or even more up front.
That doesn't take into account any change in ride level the bigger diameter wheels makes. Again Metzeler don't give diameters, so I have looked at Dunlop. Your original tyres were both 25 1/4 inch in overall diameter.Similar Dunlop tyres to your 21 and 18 inch are an inch bigger on the rear and 2 inches bigger on the front. So you have raised the front of the bike by half an inch relative to the rear (half the difference).
It is just possible if you fitted longer rear shocks to lift the back (the simplest to do!) you might improve stability. However your SG is already lower at the rear than a standard touring model, so it may need a bigger change. I don't like lowering Harleys, because the suspension is short of travel as stock and your SG has shorter rear shocks than most of the other touring models.
Those are a few of my thoughts. We need someone to call by who has already sorted this out. Did the supplier or maker of your wheels make any suggestions for tyres and pressures?
The pressures I use on my bike, with 130 16 inch front and 140 rear are solo 38F 44R. 2-up and fully laden I use 44F 50R. I know these are different brand and size tyres to yours, but I reckon you probably need say 4 psi more in the rear and as much as 8 or even more up front.
That doesn't take into account any change in ride level the bigger diameter wheels makes. Again Metzeler don't give diameters, so I have looked at Dunlop. Your original tyres were both 25 1/4 inch in overall diameter.Similar Dunlop tyres to your 21 and 18 inch are an inch bigger on the rear and 2 inches bigger on the front. So you have raised the front of the bike by half an inch relative to the rear (half the difference).
It is just possible if you fitted longer rear shocks to lift the back (the simplest to do!) you might improve stability. However your SG is already lower at the rear than a standard touring model, so it may need a bigger change. I don't like lowering Harleys, because the suspension is short of travel as stock and your SG has shorter rear shocks than most of the other touring models.
Those are a few of my thoughts. We need someone to call by who has already sorted this out. Did the supplier or maker of your wheels make any suggestions for tyres and pressures?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
OK I recheck preasure the front is at 38 and the rear at 38.5.
Metzler site says 2 up riding 42 front and 42 rear. I hope this will fix I will keep everyone posted. As far as pics I will post ina bit.
Metzler site says 2 up riding 42 front and 42 rear. I hope this will fix I will keep everyone posted. As far as pics I will post ina bit.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
I tried 42 42 cold preasure that was a mistake, the bike felt like it was on Ice. It would start to wobble at 60mph.
Lowered front to 40 hot preasure and bike was much better but still wobbled at speed. I will try a little lower in front.
Lowered front to 40 hot preasure and bike was much better but still wobbled at speed. I will try a little lower in front.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: N. Kentucky
I noticed that wobble at about 85 as well, mine is a 09 SG. Happened about a month ago, tire pressures ok. Opened her up again a week ago, same thing. This week began hearing a intermittent roar out back when I apply rear brakes. I know a wheel bearing when I hear one...be careful.
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