09 Road Glide pulls to the left
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 49
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09 Road Glide pulls to the left
I have a pretty much stock 09 road glide. My issue with it is it puills to the left when "hands free" Just had it to the Dealer to fix this and do the 10000 mile check up. Still pulls and now the left blinker turns on all by itself! Has anyone else noticed any pulling to either side on their's?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
the blinker is an issue on its own, but as far as wanting to go to the left when you let your hands off the bars, there are a few things i can think of. first, how are your saddlebags loaded. if the left one is loaded heavier than your right one, sure it's going to cause your bike to lean to the left, thereby inducing a left turn. there is also something known as a crown, the way roads are built so that water and slush will run off the surface rather than staying on the driving surface. is this interstate or two lane hiway or what sort of road are you talking about? did the dealership who was supposed to cure the problem do an alignment on your rear wheel. this might sound stupid, but if you have your wallet in your rear pocket of your jeans, that could also cause you to sit tilted. remove your wallet or toss it in the bag and see if that doesn't change your riding situation. it's usually something really simple causing that drifting to either side problem. also if you've changed out the bars and your clutch cable is in any sort of bind it can cause problems. i'm guessing it's either the wallet or the loading the left bag heavy though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
my rg drifts to the right. but i carry a tool bag in the right saddlebag. before carrying the tool kit, it tracked straight. and it is not a heavy bag. take everything out of your saddlebag and see what you get. if it still drifts, check the clutch cable, it could be inducing countersteer on your handlebars.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
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Have tried all of those and I never have my wallet in my back pocket, tends to hurt on long rides! The clutch cable is loose, not in a bind anyway. Have tried staying to the right of the crown in the road, still pulled. I even put it in a rut in the hightway and it pulled me out of it- to the left of course! Had my son ride it when we got it home to make sure it isn't just me. Pulled for him to. The dealer should have checked the rear wheel as I had them do the 10000 mile check too. The dealer has agreed to re-check and will keep it till it is fixed. Does anyone know if the are required to give me a loaner?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 310
Likes: 23
From: Sykesville, MD
If aligned properly, your bike should run straight as an arrow with your hands off of the bars. Doesn't matter if you have your wallet in your pocket, doesnt matter if you have a couple extra pounds in one bag or the other. Before anyone blasts me here, do me a favor and swith all of the contents in the left bag to the right bag and vica versa. I promise you the bike will still pull left.
I am not just speaking off the cuff here as I definately have experience with this. I used to be able to ride my bike with no hands for miles and miles and miles. No effort, no leaning, and not paying attention to how the bags were loaded and certainly not moving my wallet to the other pocket. I recently removed the rear swing arm to replace the pulley. Ever since replacing it, the bike pulls to the right.
I have been able to correct 90% of the issue by using Glide Pro's laser alignment process. Unfortunately, I believe that my rotors are slightly warped and it is preventing me from dialing it in perfect. I am waiting for someone to send me the alignment tool, but may need to replace the rotors as I hear that the tool is just a baseline.
At any rate, check this video out and if you are so inclined give the process a try. It is the third video down on the page
http://www.glide-pro.com/install/
Also, dont bother using the angle iron or cheap lasers, just get these lasers from sears. They will stick right to the rotors.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=88&blockType=
I am not just speaking off the cuff here as I definately have experience with this. I used to be able to ride my bike with no hands for miles and miles and miles. No effort, no leaning, and not paying attention to how the bags were loaded and certainly not moving my wallet to the other pocket. I recently removed the rear swing arm to replace the pulley. Ever since replacing it, the bike pulls to the right.
I have been able to correct 90% of the issue by using Glide Pro's laser alignment process. Unfortunately, I believe that my rotors are slightly warped and it is preventing me from dialing it in perfect. I am waiting for someone to send me the alignment tool, but may need to replace the rotors as I hear that the tool is just a baseline.
At any rate, check this video out and if you are so inclined give the process a try. It is the third video down on the page
http://www.glide-pro.com/install/
Also, dont bother using the angle iron or cheap lasers, just get these lasers from sears. They will stick right to the rotors.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=88&blockType=
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: San Angelo, Texas
I wonder if you have had the recalled pos front tire on the 09 rg changed....at dealers expense!
Mine was doing all kinds of wierda$$ shi* but when they put the replacement tire on, it was all good!
Mine was doing all kinds of wierda$$ shi* but when they put the replacement tire on, it was all good!
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 49
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I was not aware the tires were recalled. I am taking it in to morrow and will ask. Thank you all for the info. will post reply from the dealer.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
From: Huntersville, NC
I have an 08 and it drifts to the left and my right bag is always heavier. I was told one time that the front motor mount could be adjusted to correct this but asked the dealer to look at it one time when they were fixing something else under warennty and they said everything was aligned. Since the warennty has ended and everything else is perfect with the bike, I just live with it. You can only tell it is pulling to the left when on the highway and no hands. Have not seen any uneven where on the front tire yet either....
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
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The dealer has now had my bike for 2 weeks. They say it does not pull to the left. yet they did nothing to try to fix it. They have been waiting for the left turn signal switch. Todya they told me it would be another week. I am leaving for Sturgis in a week. Can anyone tell me if I just pull the trun signal lights if it would cause any problems. I can't think of any, would just be like a burned out light. But I think it could be dangerous to ride with the left turn signal comming on in a spasmotic mannor. Someone could think I intent to turn when it comes on and pull out in front of me.
