Death wobble
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
Death wobble
I thank you all for all of the info, a bit overwheming. Seems there is no one answer to the wobble question, and comparing the upgrades made to the newer bikes really don't apply to the situation. Didn't want to start any fights, everyone seems to have their own opinion. I'm sure I may have been at fault somewhat, but after checking out the bike I'm tending to believe the strong crosswind as I was going through the turn may have had an effect. I rode it again yesterday and after 200 miles with lots of turns I tried the same turn again and sailed right through. thanks again for all the info and well wishes.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
Well the '08s and earlier touring models definately have a problem. Harley fixed it with the '09s, and they tell you about it. They won't say there is anything wrong with the earlier models, just what is improved with the '09s. That being more solid in the corners, stronger frame, better geometry, yadda yadda.
The rubber mount and geometry of the engine and tanny leads to the harmonic pulsations that cause the wobble. There is no debating this. There are videos showing it and probably a dozen products that fix it.
Other things can cause a wobble too. Loose steering head, worn out tires, bad shocks, bent frame, etc, etc. But that's a moot point. If there is nothing else wrong, the pre '09s will wobble under the right conditions. You either have to figure out how to avoid the condition when you ride, which is what I did. Or you can buy a brace, which I will probably do at some point.
Once again, the braces are not a placebo, and they are not masking anything. They work as designed. my 2c.
The rubber mount and geometry of the engine and tanny leads to the harmonic pulsations that cause the wobble. There is no debating this. There are videos showing it and probably a dozen products that fix it.
Other things can cause a wobble too. Loose steering head, worn out tires, bad shocks, bent frame, etc, etc. But that's a moot point. If there is nothing else wrong, the pre '09s will wobble under the right conditions. You either have to figure out how to avoid the condition when you ride, which is what I did. Or you can buy a brace, which I will probably do at some point.
Once again, the braces are not a placebo, and they are not masking anything. They work as designed. my 2c.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
I wonder how many people are installing these devices, but really have other problems with their
bikes that should be addressed before adding the bandaid.
I don't ride hard enough to see this on my bike, but if I did, I would surely carefully inspect
all the other aspects before I spent money on one of these devices.
bikes that should be addressed before adding the bandaid.
I don't ride hard enough to see this on my bike, but if I did, I would surely carefully inspect
all the other aspects before I spent money on one of these devices.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
Good discussion. I felt it once on my 08 when it was new and before I had read much about it. I apparently don't ride hard enough to have a problem with it, but I have the E3 on the rear now w/ 40-42psi, and I run my shocks with at least 16 lbs of air in them. Maybe that helps.
Last edited by mike5511; Mar 12, 2012 at 01:53 AM.
Supporter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis
I have a friend in a nursing home (47), he experienced the wobble on his 2005 UC, I should get him to post an interview with respects of the wobble.
At the time of his accident we thought the issue was low shock pressure, several years later, now we know what the cause of his accident was.
He was riding through a sweeping curve wobble happened went to the on coming lane and struck a SUV, at the time of impact the SUV had almost stopped, seeing what was coming but the bike had too much momentum.
Just my 2 cents worth!
At the time of his accident we thought the issue was low shock pressure, several years later, now we know what the cause of his accident was.
He was riding through a sweeping curve wobble happened went to the on coming lane and struck a SUV, at the time of impact the SUV had almost stopped, seeing what was coming but the bike had too much momentum.
Just my 2 cents worth!
I wonder how many people are installing these devices, but really have other problems with their
bikes that should be addressed before adding the bandaid.
I don't ride hard enough to see this on my bike, but if I did, I would surely carefully inspect
all the other aspects before I spent money on one of these devices.
bikes that should be addressed before adding the bandaid.
I don't ride hard enough to see this on my bike, but if I did, I would surely carefully inspect
all the other aspects before I spent money on one of these devices.
I mentioned in the previous post that my bike has developed what I call a weave. I got the bike back today from the 50k service, I had the fork oil changed to SE fork oil, new fork seals and a new rear tire was installed. I did not have a chance to ride it much and the tire is new so I didnt push it too hard, I did ride through a few high speed sweepers (80+) and the bike is definitely tighter. Is the weave completely gone too soon to say and of course there are limitations.
The change in fork oil is very noticeable, less dive, less what I call wallow and just the feeling of a more solid front end. I always felt the front dived to much and this seemed to stiffen it up, granted my bike had more than 51k miles and Im sure the oil could have used changing anyway.
I think its not just the fork oil, or the steering head bearing adjustment or the new rear tire but a combination of things. Here is another thing my front tire as about 7k miles and I think that will be a good match with the rear in that they both will need replacing at the same time. I think some of this started when I installed a new front tire with a semi worn rear tire and as the rear wore more it got worse, just a thought I dont know for sure.
Anyway just my 2 cents and Im not sure how it applies if at all to a 08 or earlier frame.
The change in fork oil is very noticeable, less dive, less what I call wallow and just the feeling of a more solid front end. I always felt the front dived to much and this seemed to stiffen it up, granted my bike had more than 51k miles and Im sure the oil could have used changing anyway.
I think its not just the fork oil, or the steering head bearing adjustment or the new rear tire but a combination of things. Here is another thing my front tire as about 7k miles and I think that will be a good match with the rear in that they both will need replacing at the same time. I think some of this started when I installed a new front tire with a semi worn rear tire and as the rear wore more it got worse, just a thought I dont know for sure.
Anyway just my 2 cents and Im not sure how it applies if at all to a 08 or earlier frame.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: livermore ca.
talked w/ some friends and they led me to the " TRU-TRAC ' had it put on and what a difference, you might want to check into it.
Good luck.
LIVINFREE
http://www.true-track.com/
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Montana, USA
For my 06' Street Glide, it has been a rear tire/ stabilizer issue. Installed the Progressive stabilizer and that cured it for a while, as the rear tire wore out the rear steer/ weave wobble starting coming back, though less severe. New tire, solid as a rock. I burn thru rear tires at about 3-3.5k miles and when they go away, you know it.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids MN
That can do it. You could also run over something to start a micro slide, like a tar snake. When that happens, a rider sometimes goes into a death grip on the bars which actually amplifies the wobble.
70 into a 50, and an "outside" curve is what makes organ donors. In a left hand curve you are usually riding less of a bank than a right hand "inside" curve because of the road pitch. And sometimes, you are even riding on an INVERTED bank on some roads.
I've weeded out probably 30 or so riding buddies over the years. When they ask why I won't ride with them, I tell them I don't want to be a witness for the coroner.
I've been riding since 1966. Went down once in 1973. Decided I didn't like it. So I'm not going to do that again
Not trying to blast you...... glad you lived to tell the tale. Be careful out there..... and get a better gremlin bell.
70 into a 50, and an "outside" curve is what makes organ donors. In a left hand curve you are usually riding less of a bank than a right hand "inside" curve because of the road pitch. And sometimes, you are even riding on an INVERTED bank on some roads.
I've weeded out probably 30 or so riding buddies over the years. When they ask why I won't ride with them, I tell them I don't want to be a witness for the coroner.
I've been riding since 1966. Went down once in 1973. Decided I didn't like it. So I'm not going to do that again
Not trying to blast you...... glad you lived to tell the tale. Be careful out there..... and get a better gremlin bell.