Do 2011 Touring Bikes Have any Degree of 'Bagger Wobble'?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 10
Do 2011 Touring Bikes Have any Degree of 'Bagger Wobble'?
Sometimes when cornering at 70+ MPH, my 2011 Street Glide doesn't seem as sure-footed as I would hope.
I don't know if it's in my head, but I could swear I feel a little uneasiness in the bike cornering at these speeds.
Am I experiencing bagger wobble?
Thanks
I don't know if it's in my head, but I could swear I feel a little uneasiness in the bike cornering at these speeds.
Am I experiencing bagger wobble?
Thanks
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,918
Likes: 3,715
From: Hill Country, TX
Does your SG have the stock suspension? How about tires?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 10
Thanks
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,918
Likes: 3,715
From: Hill Country, TX
Doc,
I wouldn't call it bagger wobble in the traditional sense...which was a problem with the pre-2009 bagger frames. The wobble in the older bagger frames was partially due to a crappy swingarm design. This problem was addressed and fixed in the 2009 and newer bagger frames.
I would attribute your "uneasyness" with how the bike feels in a high speed sweeper to the mushy stock front suspension, and the completely worthless rear air shocks which have minimal travel, and horrific compression and rebound damping.
The stock Dunlops on your SG aren't bad, but they aren't comparable to the Dunlop Elite series, the Metzeler 880s, or a good pair of Avon Cobras.
If you want your SG to feel rock solid in those high speed sweepers, you're going to need to invest some cabbage in the front and rear suspension, along with some quality tires.
My personal choices were Ohlins shocks in the rear, Race Tech springs and gold emulators in the front, and Avon Cobras on the wheels. When Howard from Motorcycle Metal comes out with an Ohlins cartridge system for the front shocks, I'll be all over that.
I wouldn't call it bagger wobble in the traditional sense...which was a problem with the pre-2009 bagger frames. The wobble in the older bagger frames was partially due to a crappy swingarm design. This problem was addressed and fixed in the 2009 and newer bagger frames.
I would attribute your "uneasyness" with how the bike feels in a high speed sweeper to the mushy stock front suspension, and the completely worthless rear air shocks which have minimal travel, and horrific compression and rebound damping.
The stock Dunlops on your SG aren't bad, but they aren't comparable to the Dunlop Elite series, the Metzeler 880s, or a good pair of Avon Cobras.
If you want your SG to feel rock solid in those high speed sweepers, you're going to need to invest some cabbage in the front and rear suspension, along with some quality tires.
My personal choices were Ohlins shocks in the rear, Race Tech springs and gold emulators in the front, and Avon Cobras on the wheels. When Howard from Motorcycle Metal comes out with an Ohlins cartridge system for the front shocks, I'll be all over that.
Most people did not feel it even in the pre-09 frames, and the few who have felt anything in the 09+ frames recognize it is 98% gone.
Check your tire pressure and your steering head bearings...either of those being off will produce some "uneasiness".
Kevin
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 4
From: Oakland, Ca
Considering Progressive 940's for the rear. What do you recommend for the front?
Thanks
Thanks
It sorts gets to be a "personal" thing.............(like a lot of stuff). The Ricors up front where too stiff for normal riding, pretty harsh, but very, very solid in smooth high speed sweepers. Had progressive springs with spacers installed to reduce the preload. That was a good compromise, pretty smooth on most everyday riding and only very slight movement on rough/ripply high speed sweepers.
I have had race tech in a few of my other bikes..........(Buells, Hondas, a Dyna).......and they worked well. Heard OK reports on the mono tubes...............so it goes.
I have had Ohlins on a couple of bikes and they were excellent..............(may just put a set on my RK), as I will gain a little more travel.
Decisions, decisions!!!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,639
Likes: 2
From: Australia
Yes, the new frame can wobble. It is worse on my bike since I put the 200 on the back.
Next tyre is a 180.
Bottom line is that the swingarm is still connected to the frame via rubber bushes. These bushes wear and can allow the swingarm to move relative to the frame, and thats "bagger wobble".
The 09 up 5 point engine mounting is better than the old 4 point system, but it still isnt as stiff as a solid mounted swingarm. Thats the price you pay for the rubber mount and the smooth ride it gives.
Next tyre is a 180.
Bottom line is that the swingarm is still connected to the frame via rubber bushes. These bushes wear and can allow the swingarm to move relative to the frame, and thats "bagger wobble".
The 09 up 5 point engine mounting is better than the old 4 point system, but it still isnt as stiff as a solid mounted swingarm. Thats the price you pay for the rubber mount and the smooth ride it gives.