Roadking wobble
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake, Arizona
RE: Roadking wobble
Some people fail to take care of their bikes, as well as everything else they own. Those types look to do the blame game when lack of service is their fault. Then, when an accident happensthey thenhave family that then find a money hungryattorney... if they think deep pockets will help their life styles. We can all remember what happened to the 3-wheels ATV when every kid in the country climbed onone just because it would not fall over on them.... it was not the 3-wheel ATV that caused the accidents...
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 837
Likes: 1
From: NORVA / Pittsboro, IN
RE: Roadking wobble
There has been reported 'wobble' on Touring bikes, and RKs that have been lowered. Look up 'Tank Slapper'. Ride STR8 and TrueTrac have aftermarket kits to address the swingarm lateral movement that can occur. I only say can, cause I have had it happen. Starting at 70 miles per hour on the interstate and accelerating around a semi on a sweeper in the lower VA area. It is an unusal feeling where the term 'rear end steer' takes on a real meaning. The harder you press in a corner, the worse it may get. That is where my experience with it ends. I don't press into sweepers any more. Straight aways are not a problem, if all the sources I have found are true.90 plus on straights is my limit of experience. I know it's for real. Handlebar / head shake on fairing/windscreen bikes is another topic.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: SE, MI
RE: Roadking wobble
I just picked up an '04 FLHPI used with only 6,000 miles on it. Windscreen and rear bags loaded down (maybe 40 - 50lbs per bag). I experienced the wobble at around 75 -80 mph. I would describe it more of a snake affect. I race motorcycles and have a steering damper on every bike I own so any inof on one for the RK would be appreciated.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Roadking wobble
Didn't Harley identify a defective rear bushing in it's pre-2001 Tourers? A guy at work was telling met about a bad wobble he had going up some mountain. Turns out MOCO knew about it all along and issued a recall?
This is just what I was told.
This is just what I was told.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake, Utah
RE: Roadking wobble
I have a 07 Ultra. Right after the 1000 mile service while I was “testing it out” I found the famous bagger boogie. At first I thought it was a front end issue but with further study I believe it is “rear steer”. On my ultra it happens at any speed above 80 mph as you lean hard into or out of a sweeper. On the straights it is harder to find but it is still there, just waiting to surprise me. I have raced sport bikes and I know all bikes can wobble, but it normally happens at a speed you never ride. In other words who cares if your bike will shake or wobble at 125 mph if your never going to ride that fast.
So I stopped at the dealer on my way home and talked to the service manager about it. He called it the bagger boogie and checked the steering head and the swing arm for me. He ask me about the speed and what I was doing to “make it happen” and what I did to come out of it. He said it was not a sport bike and if I wanted it to handle like one I would never be happy. He suggested I try to tune it out or buy a Ride STR8 or TrueTrac.
I have found several things can be done to “tune it out”. I started with tire pressure, by changing up or down a few psi, I can change the speed where it starts and how bad it gets. I also looked at adjusting the air in the shocks, changing my riding position and putting weight in the bags. I now have a very good feel for my bike and how it handles different input from me. I am happy with it but I am also careful when I start pushing the speeds. I think I will end up with either a Ride STR8 or TrueTrac.
-eleven
So I stopped at the dealer on my way home and talked to the service manager about it. He called it the bagger boogie and checked the steering head and the swing arm for me. He ask me about the speed and what I was doing to “make it happen” and what I did to come out of it. He said it was not a sport bike and if I wanted it to handle like one I would never be happy. He suggested I try to tune it out or buy a Ride STR8 or TrueTrac.
I have found several things can be done to “tune it out”. I started with tire pressure, by changing up or down a few psi, I can change the speed where it starts and how bad it gets. I also looked at adjusting the air in the shocks, changing my riding position and putting weight in the bags. I now have a very good feel for my bike and how it handles different input from me. I am happy with it but I am also careful when I start pushing the speeds. I think I will end up with either a Ride STR8 or TrueTrac.
-eleven
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,335
Likes: 0
From: Tidewater
RE: Roadking wobble
No wobble, no tracking. replaced the Dumcaps with ME880s and the spokes with weld Chrome mags and you can take your hands off the bars at 85 (although I am not recommending it)
and ride in a straight line for quite a while. Also the MEs do not track grooved pavement, they tend to go where ya point em.
and ride in a straight line for quite a while. Also the MEs do not track grooved pavement, they tend to go where ya point em.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
RE: Roadking wobble
Most of you guys missed the whole point. Reread elevenbravo's post. It is the most informed response on this thread. This has nothing to do with how fast you ride in a straight line. It happens mostly in a sweeper at speed. It is a well known issue, complete with lawsuits and an aftermarket fix. I hope most of you never experience it, because you will probably sell your bike after you change your pants.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake, Utah
RE: Roadking wobble
Thanks Beemervet for the props. I did do the reasearch to get to know this bike and what to do about it.
I turned up this very well written answer http://www.answers.com/topic/speed-wobble
I knew better than to mention "nutation" on this forum.
If you read to the bottom you find the answer that always worked on my race bikes and works well on the ultra too;
Lifting body off the saddle: Lifting the body up from the saddle completely alters the dynamics of the feedback system and the moments of inertia. In particular, lifting yourself off the saddle eliminates the jelly effect.
Just that small tip has kept me on the road more than once. Nothing like a good tank slapper on a fast bike to make you think twice about your tire pressure.
-eleven
I turned up this very well written answer http://www.answers.com/topic/speed-wobble
I knew better than to mention "nutation" on this forum.
If you read to the bottom you find the answer that always worked on my race bikes and works well on the ultra too;
Lifting body off the saddle: Lifting the body up from the saddle completely alters the dynamics of the feedback system and the moments of inertia. In particular, lifting yourself off the saddle eliminates the jelly effect.
Just that small tip has kept me on the road more than once. Nothing like a good tank slapper on a fast bike to make you think twice about your tire pressure.
-eleven