Issue with my new bike?
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Issue with my new bike?
Thought I'd bounce this off you guys...
My new '11 Ultra has 110 miles on it now, and I'm lovin it! BUT, today I noticed that as I decelerate from about 30 mph, and if I let go of the bars, it immediately goes into a wobble that gets progressively worse as the bike slows down. If I don't grab the bars by the time it hits 20 mph I have no doubt it would go into a full blown tank slapper. Doesn't do it at higher speeds that I've noticed.
Not sure if it's related but, at cold idle, the right side of the handlebars shakes pretty violently. To the point where I suspect eventually the mirror nut may break free. Once the idle slows down when the bike warms up, the "shake" is normal.
What shall I suggest to the dealer? Motor mount issue? Fall-away issue? Wheel balance issue? The front wheel seems to have a LOT of wheel weights on it. I commented on it on delivery day and the tech said it was within spec to have that much weight.
What say ye? (And, regarding the wobble, please don't say "don't let go of the bars". My '07 was steady as a rock at that speed.)
My new '11 Ultra has 110 miles on it now, and I'm lovin it! BUT, today I noticed that as I decelerate from about 30 mph, and if I let go of the bars, it immediately goes into a wobble that gets progressively worse as the bike slows down. If I don't grab the bars by the time it hits 20 mph I have no doubt it would go into a full blown tank slapper. Doesn't do it at higher speeds that I've noticed.
Not sure if it's related but, at cold idle, the right side of the handlebars shakes pretty violently. To the point where I suspect eventually the mirror nut may break free. Once the idle slows down when the bike warms up, the "shake" is normal.
What shall I suggest to the dealer? Motor mount issue? Fall-away issue? Wheel balance issue? The front wheel seems to have a LOT of wheel weights on it. I commented on it on delivery day and the tech said it was within spec to have that much weight.
What say ye? (And, regarding the wobble, please don't say "don't let go of the bars". My '07 was steady as a rock at that speed.)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
...imagine if a car did that?...we would RACE back to the dealer if it was new...no way the front end should be wobbly like that at 20-30 mph...I can see when it is 10mph or slower with no hands on the bars...but not at say...25mph...I'd be going back and have them ride it and see what they want to do to it...you don't have to be the one to give THEM a reason why you think it's happening...let them do their thing first...
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Light grip on the bars and she's steady, can't feel a thing. Haven't tried it in neutral.
It WILL go back to the dealer, I'm just preparing myself for them to say "don't take your hands off the bars".
I tend to think maybe it's motor mount related.
It WILL go back to the dealer, I'm just preparing myself for them to say "don't take your hands off the bars".
I tend to think maybe it's motor mount related.
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Have you checked the air pressure. I know the book says 36, but I like to run mine closer to 40. I've never understood why when someone mounts a tire and it takes a lot of weight, why they don't break the beads and rotate the tire 90 degrees on the rim. That usually takes care of it. If it doesn't, they should get another tire. I hate wheel weight's. That's why I run Dynabeads in mine.
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Have you checked the air pressure. I know the book says 36, but I like to run mine closer to 40. I've never understood why when someone mounts a tire and it takes a lot of weight, why they don't break the beads and rotate the tire 90 degrees on the rim. That usually takes care of it. If it doesn't, they should get another tire. I hate wheel weight's. That's why I run Dynabeads in mine.
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