Death Wobble
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,604
Likes: 4,045
From: Virginia
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 988
From:
i had an '07 that was friggin dangerous above 80. i first encountered it just south of knoxville on i-75 trying to keep up with the idiot drivers there careening along at 80+. i reached around to check my billfold in my back pocket and the bike just went WOO-Woo-wooooo-wooooo oh **** wobbling and kept on for several cycles after i got my hand back on the bar. I recognized it immediately and slowed and got it back under control, but a lesser experienced person or maybe a pothole or rain groove added in on me might have meant grim reaper. my current '11 does not exhibit any of this behavior.... those earlier chassis were just not meant for those speeds and power levels - recommend more sane riding with those...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 18
From: Belmont, MI
Rick
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Very sorry for your loss.
I have experienced the DW on my 05 RKC but didn't know it had a name. I had cruise on set to about 75 and was entering a slow long left hand turn ( going south on l81 south of Winchester, VA merging onto I66 east). I disengaged the cruise to slow down and the wobble started. Really caught my attention. I do believe slowing in a turn from high speed is definitely the scenario to stay away from. Slow down before entering the turn or ride thru the turn at speed. I do not believe it has anything to do with the aerodynamics of the batwing or my RKC windscreen. I have not encountered this on my 06 EGC but then again I am very aware of staying out of that scenario. Ride safe.
I have experienced the DW on my 05 RKC but didn't know it had a name. I had cruise on set to about 75 and was entering a slow long left hand turn ( going south on l81 south of Winchester, VA merging onto I66 east). I disengaged the cruise to slow down and the wobble started. Really caught my attention. I do believe slowing in a turn from high speed is definitely the scenario to stay away from. Slow down before entering the turn or ride thru the turn at speed. I do not believe it has anything to do with the aerodynamics of the batwing or my RKC windscreen. I have not encountered this on my 06 EGC but then again I am very aware of staying out of that scenario. Ride safe.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 855
Likes: 14
From: thomson, il
someone mentioned a weave v.s. a wobble.. what is a weave? i've run into long sweepers about 70-75 and had a feeling like the tires were out of round. no side to side movement. felt more like rear suspension trying to catch up with the front. used se heavy in the front and haven't had it since. bike was new with less than 6000 miles on it.
sorry to hear about your friend. condolences.
sorry to hear about your friend. condolences.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 4
From: nebraska
i experance a wobble on a long sweeping curve bringing bike home from the dealer ,both tires were way low and shocks low in air.
i always check before i ride now
i always check before i ride now
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,325
From: Western South Dakota
I experienced it once on my 99 FXSTC (the last year of the evo).
I was going straight,(thank godness) and about 30 miles per hour and all of sudden the handlebars just started shaking violently.
Spooked the **** of me. I just slowed down and then took it real easy home and then took it my local indy shop the same day and had them go over it, and nothing was found.
Greased the neck bearing but that was it.
Still baffles me to this day WTF that was about.
It never did it again either after that.
I was going straight,(thank godness) and about 30 miles per hour and all of sudden the handlebars just started shaking violently.
Spooked the **** of me. I just slowed down and then took it real easy home and then took it my local indy shop the same day and had them go over it, and nothing was found.
Greased the neck bearing but that was it.
Still baffles me to this day WTF that was about.
It never did it again either after that.