Front end wobble at very low speed
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
Front end wobble at very low speed
When I'm practicing in the parking lot or anytime I'm making low speed maneuvers, my front end wobbles slightly. I can feel it in the handlebars. It's not causing any problems (except in my head) but I doesn't seem right and I was curious to know if "this is normal".
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,807
Likes: 33
From: TEXAS
My '09 did the same thing, wobbled aroung 25-30 mph, took it to the dealer and they replaced the front tire under a recall, the tire was cupping. Fixed it, hasn't wobbled since. You can probably find the recall by doing a search in the forum.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
Also check your steering head bearing adjustment as there was a change to the procedure from that in the manual. talk to a reputable dealer and they should be able to help you out.
Drew
Drew
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
Thanks for the replies harleyflyboy and DR. V-TWIN. The problem only occurs at VERY low speeds, maybe 5 mph, while making U turns, bars turned sharply and bike leaned over. It feels like the forks are flexing or something.
My wife and I are going on a trip to the Smokies at the end of the month and I'm taking the bike to the dealer next Friday to let them go over it, so I'll let them check it out then.
Just trying to get some ideas as to what I might expect them to look for, as I'm not going into the steering head bearing adjustment this close to the trip. It rides and handles fine at speed.
Thanks
My wife and I are going on a trip to the Smokies at the end of the month and I'm taking the bike to the dealer next Friday to let them go over it, so I'll let them check it out then.
Just trying to get some ideas as to what I might expect them to look for, as I'm not going into the steering head bearing adjustment this close to the trip. It rides and handles fine at speed.
Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Mine does it too when I'm working slow in the cones. I THOUGHT I could attribute the wobble to a cupped front tire, but my brand new tire does it too! I even took it to the dealership out of frustration and asked THEM to check all of the stuff that I had already checked. (wheel bearings, neck bearings, etc..) They said everything up front is fine. Like you said, it doesn't really bother me TOO much, just takes some getting used to.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
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From: Bellevue, NE
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
If all else fails .... remember guys .... many times problems that manifest themselves in the front (handlebars) are actually due to something in the rear of the bike.
So ..... if you don't find anything up there make sure the swing arm, real wheel/hub, tire and etc. are not giving you problems.
Happy hunting .....
So ..... if you don't find anything up there make sure the swing arm, real wheel/hub, tire and etc. are not giving you problems.
Happy hunting .....
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,134
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From: Gonzales, Texas
My 09 has done it since day one at exactly 30mph. I have had the dealer check the fall away, the front tire... and no resolution. They claim (and I have to agree) there is no cupping of the front tire, so no recall resolution for me. Now my waranty will expire in a few weeks. So I think I will rush down and put on new tires and see what I get. I have 19.9 k miles. The only time I had an issue with the wobble, was in a switchback on the Million Dollar Highway.... otherwise "... just roll that power on".