Death Wobble
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
Sorry for your loss. I had it happen once on my 08 SG 2 years ago. Long slow curve doing about 70mph on a crowded turnpike, 2-up with luggage on the back. I could feel it coming and as soon as I backed off the throttle, it went away. I attributed it to the additional weight in the rear throwing off the bike's "balance".
I don't know what the guy's family is thinking, but if they're litigious, they might have a hard time trying to prove it, based on what one guy supposedly saw in his rear view mirror.
I don't know what the guy's family is thinking, but if they're litigious, they might have a hard time trying to prove it, based on what one guy supposedly saw in his rear view mirror.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Inverness, FL
Sorry for your loss bro.
The stabilizer that ties the tranny pan to the swing arm is a pretty reliable fix. It did the trick on my '06 EGC. I also changed the front engine mount but don't know if that contributed to the oscillation.
The stabilizer that ties the tranny pan to the swing arm is a pretty reliable fix. It did the trick on my '06 EGC. I also changed the front engine mount but don't know if that contributed to the oscillation.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
Nels, sorry to hear about your buddy.
Posts about the death wobble are very very scarry. Smthbrl responds that the 09 frame changes were intended to eliminate DW while Conner responds that we should spend $$ on handling improvements before bling. I agree. For those of us w/ new frames, do we need to upgrade just to avoid DW?
To honor Nels bud, how about let's turn this thread into a resource for accurate information on DW?
First, did the 09 frame changes fix the problem? Does anyone know of a rider that experienced DW on a new frame that was not directly attributable to bad tires or low air pressure?
Second, can we identifty proven upgrades (other than tire issues) addressing DW for pre-09 frames and 09-later frames?
Posts about the death wobble are very very scarry. Smthbrl responds that the 09 frame changes were intended to eliminate DW while Conner responds that we should spend $$ on handling improvements before bling. I agree. For those of us w/ new frames, do we need to upgrade just to avoid DW?
To honor Nels bud, how about let's turn this thread into a resource for accurate information on DW?
First, did the 09 frame changes fix the problem? Does anyone know of a rider that experienced DW on a new frame that was not directly attributable to bad tires or low air pressure?
Second, can we identifty proven upgrades (other than tire issues) addressing DW for pre-09 frames and 09-later frames?
now as far as DW on the new frame i have a 2011 SG & i had the death wobble in a sweeper doing about 85mph right in front of my buddy who had the death wobble behind me. we both have been through this curve many times before at different speeds including going through it faster (very smooth sweeper curve). i had about 8k miles on mine & he had about 27k on his plus he has a new set of factory tires on.
he said he went through the curve & was like WTF is going on & the looked up & seen the back of my bike all over the place & he told me the only thing he thought of was why both bikes.
YES the new frames do get the DEATH WOBBLE.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Condences
Nels, sorry to hear about your buddy.
Posts about the death wobble are very very scarry. Smthbrl responds that the 09 frame changes were intended to eliminate DW while Conner responds that we should spend $$ on handling improvements before bling. I agree. For those of us w/ new frames, do we need to upgrade just to avoid DW?
To honor Nels bud, how about let's turn this thread into a resource for accurate information on DW?
First, did the 09 frame changes fix the problem? Does anyone know of a rider that experienced DW on a new frame that was not directly attributable to bad tires or low air pressure?
Second, can we identifty proven upgrades (other than tire issues) addressing DW for pre-09 frames and 09-later frames?
Posts about the death wobble are very very scarry. Smthbrl responds that the 09 frame changes were intended to eliminate DW while Conner responds that we should spend $$ on handling improvements before bling. I agree. For those of us w/ new frames, do we need to upgrade just to avoid DW?
To honor Nels bud, how about let's turn this thread into a resource for accurate information on DW?
First, did the 09 frame changes fix the problem? Does anyone know of a rider that experienced DW on a new frame that was not directly attributable to bad tires or low air pressure?
Second, can we identifty proven upgrades (other than tire issues) addressing DW for pre-09 frames and 09-later frames?
To answer your question I never had a wobble with this bike UNTIL I had my 16" apes installed. Since then the wobble ONLY happens when I decide to power right to jump out and pass from a straight heading position.
In other words I'm riding straight at highway speeds and decide to power up and fly right to pass someone. The Bike will now (sometimes) start to wobble as I change lanes from straight to the next lane.
Then I have to power up to power through it to make it go away. Sucks.
Again..my condolences to the O.P.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: On the road to nowhere, UK
What a load of toss, here.
Bikes wobble at low speeds and weave at high speeds, both have separate characteristics. H-D persists in encouraging loading weight over the rear wheel, as 99% of road trip pics will prove. Add to this the wind factor on high or wide 'bars, fork mounted screens.
Mechanically, tyres should be pumped up to recommended pressures, and have plenty of tread, all bearings tightened to correct settings and all nuts & bolts torqued up.
ANY bike will handle like a wheelbarrow if ridden outside of it's design envelope. The way people post comments you'd believe the things were dangerous.
People always want to blame something or someone in fatal crashes, it's a way of coming to terms with the situation and learning for the future. The really unfortunate thing is that the rider collided with an immoveable object, if it was just a slide to stop it would potentially be just a sticking plaster & bike rebuild.
All crashes involve much, much more than just blaming it of a myth.
Bikes wobble at low speeds and weave at high speeds, both have separate characteristics. H-D persists in encouraging loading weight over the rear wheel, as 99% of road trip pics will prove. Add to this the wind factor on high or wide 'bars, fork mounted screens.
Mechanically, tyres should be pumped up to recommended pressures, and have plenty of tread, all bearings tightened to correct settings and all nuts & bolts torqued up.
ANY bike will handle like a wheelbarrow if ridden outside of it's design envelope. The way people post comments you'd believe the things were dangerous.
People always want to blame something or someone in fatal crashes, it's a way of coming to terms with the situation and learning for the future. The really unfortunate thing is that the rider collided with an immoveable object, if it was just a slide to stop it would potentially be just a sticking plaster & bike rebuild.
All crashes involve much, much more than just blaming it of a myth.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 745
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
What a load of toss, here.
Bikes wobble at low speeds and weave at high speeds, both have separate characteristics. H-D persists in encouraging loading weight over the rear wheel, as 99% of road trip pics will prove. Add to this the wind factor on high or wide 'bars, fork mounted screens.
Mechanically, tyres should be pumped up to recommended pressures, and have plenty of tread, all bearings tightened to correct settings and all nuts & bolts torqued up.
ANY bike will handle like a wheelbarrow if ridden outside of it's design envelope. The way people post comments you'd believe the things were dangerous.
People always want to blame something or someone in fatal crashes, it's a way of coming to terms with the situation and learning for the future. The really unfortunate thing is that the rider collided with an immoveable object, if it was just a slide to stop it would potentially be just a sticking plaster & bike rebuild.
All crashes involve much, much more than just blaming it of a myth.
Bikes wobble at low speeds and weave at high speeds, both have separate characteristics. H-D persists in encouraging loading weight over the rear wheel, as 99% of road trip pics will prove. Add to this the wind factor on high or wide 'bars, fork mounted screens.
Mechanically, tyres should be pumped up to recommended pressures, and have plenty of tread, all bearings tightened to correct settings and all nuts & bolts torqued up.
ANY bike will handle like a wheelbarrow if ridden outside of it's design envelope. The way people post comments you'd believe the things were dangerous.
People always want to blame something or someone in fatal crashes, it's a way of coming to terms with the situation and learning for the future. The really unfortunate thing is that the rider collided with an immoveable object, if it was just a slide to stop it would potentially be just a sticking plaster & bike rebuild.
All crashes involve much, much more than just blaming it of a myth.
now i do realize that harley will only recognize to 70 or 75 mph witch i was totally over that but 10-15mph, I was in the wrong in this situation.
it is what it is & another person has died because of it. again sorry for the loss.
Sorry to hear about your friend, my condolences to his family and you. Well, contrary to what some believe because it hasn't happened to them, DW isn't a myth. I had it on my 07, the bikes tires were at proper presure, and I had no load besides my tools and rain gear, after the experience I purchased a Bagger Brace, no more problems up to the time I got rid of the bike. Alloy Art and Progressive both make a brace for 2009 up, there may be others.