Hi speed wobble 2011 FLFTK
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Ft Myers, Fl
Hi speed wobble 2011 FLFTK
I just put Metzlers 880 radials on a 2011 FLHTK, at at about 80mph the bike really started this hard wobble, scared the H out of me! The bike never has done this before,checked the tire pressure,and it was at 36psi on both tires, and filled them to 42psi as it says on the side wall. I did notice that the dealer had put 1 1/2 oz weight on each rim, but the weights are only on one side. Wondering if the weight should be split so they are on both sides of the rim, or what the f--- is going on. The wobble got so bad I wondered if I was going to get ot back!!! Help!
Last edited by Baggerzee; May 29, 2012 at 06:18 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Wellsboro, PA
I'll be watching this one. I have an 11 also, but haven't felt it. I've heard about it on the pre-09 frames, but not on 09 & up. Hopefully it's just something simple, like the way the tires are balanced, or something.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,889
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From: Mississippi
Neck bearing problems usually show up at 45mph or below...I am thinking the problem is with the rear wheel...Tire not mounted correctly...defective tire...loose fasteners etc.
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From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
My Thoughts as well ..
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From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
go to the metzler web site and look up the tire size in their latest catalogue. I too experienced the same problem, went to the website and looked at the specific size of tire and was surprised to find the PSI was listed at between 44 to 50, and i was running at 40. This was on a rear tire 160/60/18 on an 04 road glide. I upped the pressure to 47 as i split the difference in the min / max and it eliminated the wobble. I have never run a pressure this high before however the catalogue indicated it was correct to be that high. don't know why. It was at variance with the sidewall.
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From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
go to the metzler web site and look up the tire size in their latest catalogue. I too experienced the same problem, went to the website and looked at the specific size of tire and was surprised to find the PSI was listed at between 44 to 50, and i was running at 40. This was on a rear tire 160/60/18 on an 04 road glide. I upped the pressure to 47 as i split the difference in the min / max and it eliminated the wobble. I have never run a pressure this high before however the catalogue indicated it was correct to be that high. don't know why. It was at variance with the sidewall.
Bingo.
I had Metzlers on a softail years ago and ran 45 psi. If I put in what the OEM tires had, the bike shimmied all over the place.
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Not excusing the op, he should have checked this info when buying the tires, but you would surely think the Dealer that installed these would have known what the correct pressure should have been. This could have turned out bad.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
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I just put Metzlers 880 radials on a 2011 FLHTK, at at about 80mph the bike really started this hard wobble, scared the H out of me! The bike never has done this before,checked the tire pressure,and it was at 36psi on both tires, and filled them to 42psi as it says on the side wall. I did notice that the dealer had put 1 1/2 oz weight on each rim, but the weights are only on one side. Wondering if the weight should be split so they are on both sides of the rim, or what the f--- is going on. The wobble got so bad I wondered if I was going to get ot back!!! Help!
go to the metzler web site and look up the tire size in their latest catalogue. I too experienced the same problem, went to the website and looked at the specific size of tire and was surprised to find the PSI was listed at between 44 to 50, and i was running at 40. This was on a rear tire 160/60/18 on an 04 road glide. I upped the pressure to 47 as i split the difference in the min / max and it eliminated the wobble. I have never run a pressure this high before however the catalogue indicated it was correct to be that high. don't know why. It was at variance with the sidewall.
"Always inflate tires to the correct tire pressure as indicated in the owners manual.
However Metzeler US has found that running higher air pressures as indicated in its fitment guide will increase customer satisfaction with its products."