Death Wobble
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
Death Wobble
Lost a friend yesterday who was riding behind a biker who never heard of the Harley Death Wobble. The other rider, looking in his mirror, seen the front end shaking violently just before our friend lost complete control and went over an embankment into a tree. It happened just five minutes after they left my house to dry off after getting caught in the rain. His bike is a '02 Road King and I don't know if this happens to the other models or not . He will be missed.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,308
Likes: 9
sorry for your loss. we are all one day closer to the grave every morning when we wake up. sounds like your friend was doing what he enjoyed.
the harley death wobble is due to a design flaw concerning the swing arm, motor mounts, bushings, etc.. it generally rears it's ugly head at speed in long, sweeping curves. most riders have felt it at one time or another. we should all pay close attention to our tires, shocks, bearings, bushings, motor mounts, and so forth.
all of the components that go into making a motorcycle are furnished by the lowest bidder...there are lots of things that can be changed on a motorcycle to make it safer and more enjoyable. and yet we keep spending our money on chrome and speed goodies. might be a lesson to be learned here for all of us.
the harley death wobble is due to a design flaw concerning the swing arm, motor mounts, bushings, etc.. it generally rears it's ugly head at speed in long, sweeping curves. most riders have felt it at one time or another. we should all pay close attention to our tires, shocks, bearings, bushings, motor mounts, and so forth.
all of the components that go into making a motorcycle are furnished by the lowest bidder...there are lots of things that can be changed on a motorcycle to make it safer and more enjoyable. and yet we keep spending our money on chrome and speed goodies. might be a lesson to be learned here for all of us.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 14
From: washington dc
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?
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
To honor Nels bud, how about let's turn this thread into a resource for accurate information on DW?
JWFLA, Great idea, although my Bro had never experienced the dw before it is too late now for him but might help other riders.
Thanks for the thoughts guys..
JWFLA, Great idea, although my Bro had never experienced the dw before it is too late now for him but might help other riders.
Thanks for the thoughts guys..
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 54
From: SE Wisconsin
Sorry to hear about you Bro Nels.
Watching for info from anyone that has experienced this.
Wondering if there are any symptoms prior to this event.
Any looseness, slight wobble, anything to watch for??
Watching for info from anyone that has experienced this.
Wondering if there are any symptoms prior to this event.
Any looseness, slight wobble, anything to watch for??
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 3
From: castalia oh
Isn't the 09 frame a one year bastard frame?My reading says if wobble or tank slapper starts to gas it.Just read it,I am not advising.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 3
From: Columbia, SC
Sorry to hear about your buddy NELS.
I ride a 2010, obviously with the new frame and have experienced a wobble. I can't say it was a true death wobble, but it was definitely front end wobble anytime I would be in a turn or in a straight line when I applied front brake. This was back when I had about 12,000 miles on the bike. Turns out my front wheel bearings were toast. After replacing them that time I had to replace them one other time at about 25K. So far at 35K I haven't had any problems.
I ride a 2010, obviously with the new frame and have experienced a wobble. I can't say it was a true death wobble, but it was definitely front end wobble anytime I would be in a turn or in a straight line when I applied front brake. This was back when I had about 12,000 miles on the bike. Turns out my front wheel bearings were toast. After replacing them that time I had to replace them one other time at about 25K. So far at 35K I haven't had any problems.