Death wobble
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola, Fl.
well check all the usual suspects . stearing head ajustment . tire preasure swing arm ect .
i only had a bad wobble once . the day i brought my FLHRC home .
as soon as i got home i found my tires only had 28psi and 29 psi .
and the shocks only 6 psi . that solved it. just put 38psi front tire 40psi rear and 25psi in my shocks.
i only had a bad wobble once . the day i brought my FLHRC home .
as soon as i got home i found my tires only had 28psi and 29 psi .
and the shocks only 6 psi . that solved it. just put 38psi front tire 40psi rear and 25psi in my shocks.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
I cant believe you guys take off on your bikes and don't check the tire pressure. I guess it's habit for me. If I ride every day they get checked every day. All it takes is one nail from the day before to show it's ugly head the next day. I rode a nice twisty road coming home from a PGR mission, parked the bike, went out the next morning, you got it, flat. I guess that's what has made me so conscious about it. We only have 2 tires, one goes out your screwed.
Last edited by KCFLHRC; Mar 5, 2012 at 02:49 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,813
Likes: 6
From: Rio Grande Valley-Texas
Knock on wood...as many years and as many miles as I've rode, and many many on HD Tour bikes. I've never experieced death wobble or tank slapping....Actually only heard about it on the internet. Been doing this 40 years now and only trouble I've had has been self-induced, meaning doing stupid crap. That being said, my current FLHT does have progressive suspension front and rear and E-3s so maybe I fixed something before I knew there was a problem.
Those of us that are Helicopter Pilots know about a condition called Pilot Induced Oscillation. The long and short of it is the Pilot continues to react (over react)to a condition back and forth and continues to make it worst. There is a lot more to it but you get the idea. Not talking so much about the OP but often wonder if this condition is worsted by over reaction.
Those of us that are Helicopter Pilots know about a condition called Pilot Induced Oscillation. The long and short of it is the Pilot continues to react (over react)to a condition back and forth and continues to make it worst. There is a lot more to it but you get the idea. Not talking so much about the OP but often wonder if this condition is worsted by over reaction.
Last edited by AtkRWC; Mar 5, 2012 at 03:31 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
Tires at 38, no braking or down shifting in the curve, shock pressure not as high, no snakes, apexing the curve. Wouldn't say I'm a pro rider, but have been riding for years, around lots of curves,with never a problem. Tires in excellent shape. Going to check the fall away and bearing before my next ride.
I guess that will teach you to stop trying to keep up with the Victories!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Our bikes can be made better in a variety of ways, that will reduce stress during the ride and increase confidence in them. In my experience and in this order: tyres, shocks, stabilizer. My 1990 FLHS has over 100 HP/TQ these days and will let us ride with modern bikes, thanks to those improvements.
Smokengun, I have a T-T Trackula kit on my ole lady. It's the only way to travel!
Smokengun, I have a T-T Trackula kit on my ole lady. It's the only way to travel!
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 7
The death wobble scares the hell out of me. It hasn't happened yet, but the fact that it might is not cool. I keep my tires in check, but I do have to check out my shock pressure. Haven't bottomed out but I gotta check. Then I'm going for one of the many stabilizers that are on the market. I'm lookin at the True-Track one myself. I know there are cheaper out there. But this is the one I think I'm settling on. Just my 2 cents.
Maybe I never take a 55 mph turn at 90 or always have the proper air in the tires and shocks...who knows.
Now, them tar snakes scare the begeezus out of me, been biten a few times. Never got me down, but those sure do wake you up. I wouldn't think Ohio would be home to this many snakes, but some of these roads are freakin nothing but.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 886
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
A pre-ride inspection will keep your bike ready to ride, T-CLOCS.
Any change in speed other than maintaining or increasing throttle will unload the suspension and can cause a wobble. Even a slight letting off the throttle can do it.
Slow Look Press and Roll. Slow prior to the curve, to set a speed that allows you to roll on the throttle through the curve. Look all the way through the curve to smooth your curve out. Press on the handlebar in the direction of the curve to get the bike to lean and Roll on the throttle to load the suspension to stabilize the bike through the curve.
Any change in speed other than maintaining or increasing throttle will unload the suspension and can cause a wobble. Even a slight letting off the throttle can do it.
Slow Look Press and Roll. Slow prior to the curve, to set a speed that allows you to roll on the throttle through the curve. Look all the way through the curve to smooth your curve out. Press on the handlebar in the direction of the curve to get the bike to lean and Roll on the throttle to load the suspension to stabilize the bike through the curve.
Last edited by Hog Yild; Mar 5, 2012 at 08:00 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 240
Likes: 3
From: Norman Oklahoma
Listen to Shooter and live to ride another day. You got to finish the race to win it . Slow down and enjoy the ride. Sliding down the road on your butt isn't any fun, ask me how i know.
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: RI
Tires at 38, no braking or down shifting in the curve, shock pressure not as high, no snakes, apexing the curve. Wouldn't say I'm a pro rider, but have been riding for years, around lots of curves,with never a problem. Tires in excellent shape. Going to check the fall away and bearing before my next ride.
