Bagger wobble exposed!
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
How is it possible that Harley can get away with not recalling our units to correct this Issue? If It has been verified, as suggested in the OP, and this design flaw can cause death or serious bodily Injury, why is the NTSB silent on this Issue?
IMO Harley can be held accountable,If a design flaw in their product is not corrected. Is anyone aware of pending litigation or settlements in reference to this. Has Harley acknowledged a flaw in their design?
While I have never experienced this wobble, I am horrified to think the next turn coming up could end my life due to a design flaw.
IMO Harley can be held accountable,If a design flaw in their product is not corrected. Is anyone aware of pending litigation or settlements in reference to this. Has Harley acknowledged a flaw in their design?
While I have never experienced this wobble, I am horrified to think the next turn coming up could end my life due to a design flaw.
The reality is that the majority of owners probably never do experience the 'wobble'. Certainly it is not predictable and I reckon that of say 100 of us got together and rode each others bikes we would probably find only a few of them did it, or only a few of us found it.
If you are happy with your bike there is no need to be worried IMHO. However I am confident that if you installed a True-Track kit you WOULD notice an improvement in the way your bike rides.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
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From: Nevada
The irony is that the design itself is sound, it is the execution by the MoCo that is flawed. The original patent shows a rear stabilizer, as Buells and recent Sporties all have. I made no mention of it causing death or injury.
The reality is that the majority of owners probably never do experience the 'wobble'. Certainly it is not predictable and I reckon that of say 100 of us got together and rode each others bikes we would probably find only a few of them did it, or only a few of us found it.
If you are happy with your bike there is no need to be worried IMHO. However I am confident that if you installed a True-Track kit you WOULD notice an improvement in the way your bike rides.
The reality is that the majority of owners probably never do experience the 'wobble'. Certainly it is not predictable and I reckon that of say 100 of us got together and rode each others bikes we would probably find only a few of them did it, or only a few of us found it.
If you are happy with your bike there is no need to be worried IMHO. However I am confident that if you installed a True-Track kit you WOULD notice an improvement in the way your bike rides.
Never experienced the wobble but installed the TT largely because I got a hell of a deal on it. Possibly the placebo effect but my 07 Ultra sure seems to handle the twisties better. If nothing else it instills more confidence when riding aggressively.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
I don't think it is a placebo effect, as I've had a RideStr8 installed for about six years and it has taken most of the wobble out of the sweepers. IMO what's left is more frame flex than a factor of the rear engine mounts, and there's very little of that. I think the RideStr8 is out of production now but is similar in design to the TWR and Progressive Tuning Link.
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From: Bedford UK
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
The end effect is the same but the design is different. The three I mentioned don't use long bolts on the oil pan or enclose it, don't compromise clearance on the right side, and don't take up space inside the dog bone portion of the frame. The latter was the most important to me since I use it for jacking purposes (pendulum jack).
Last edited by iclick; Jun 29, 2013 at 10:06 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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This has been by far the best explanation of the phenomenon that I have read to date.
My 05 does not display the problem, so I never considered installing a brace, thinking why should I, there is no problem with my bike.
Your explanation does makes me believe that there would be a benefit to installing one, even on a bike that rides fine. If there's a chance of making my bike track more safely, then I'm for it. I've read so much about "bandaids", but you have truely changed my view about these, I might just try one.
I'm just surprised that Harley hasn't just added a rear brace, with all the bad press they get about this, why not just install one on the new bikes? Does Harley even offer
a brace, and why not? If they help the problem, how costly would it be for them to just add one? Seems very short sighted to me.
Thanks for the post
My 05 does not display the problem, so I never considered installing a brace, thinking why should I, there is no problem with my bike.
Your explanation does makes me believe that there would be a benefit to installing one, even on a bike that rides fine. If there's a chance of making my bike track more safely, then I'm for it. I've read so much about "bandaids", but you have truely changed my view about these, I might just try one.
I'm just surprised that Harley hasn't just added a rear brace, with all the bad press they get about this, why not just install one on the new bikes? Does Harley even offer
a brace, and why not? If they help the problem, how costly would it be for them to just add one? Seems very short sighted to me.
Thanks for the post
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
The end effect is the same but the design is different. The three I mentioned don't use long bolts on the oil pan or enclose it, don't compromise clearance on the right side, and don't take up space inside the dog bone portion of the frame. The latter was the most important to me since I use it for jacking purposes (pendulum jack).
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 429
Likes: 4
From: Massachusetts
Group Buy?
Very interested in a True Track kit after experiencing the dreaded wobble for the first time the other day. The price is a bit hard to swallow so I was just curious if there is a group buy going on now or if there is enough interest to get one going and how to set it up?
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From: Houston
Graham - I read every page this morning, great amount of information, thanks. I'm currently on a Softail Deluxe riding a typical 4,000 mile road trip and thought I might be better off on a Street Glide for my long road trips, that's why I'm in the touring section. The Softail with the Shotgun Shock has been rock solid in the turns, but has a lot of wind buffeting on the long straights. I figured the SG would be a lot more aerodynamic and yet still good in the turns. Now I'm a bit concerned about making the change. Overall, do you think getting a SG with the true-track mod will be the right move. I'm 6 months new to Harley, ex-motocrosser and ride aggressively.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Hi David,
My first observation is that the majority of owners are probably happy as can be with their bikes! On the other hand the relatively few of us who find them wanting (I don't believe there is a fortune to be made out of this) and in need of improvement have a variety of options, some better than the rest.
All Harleys will benefit from better than stock tyres, to improve ride quality. There is little merit in becoming a slave to high mileage, something that seems to afflict many owners, especially when other brands give a better ride. Next up from the tarmac is rear shocks and a set of custom-built ones from HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal will truly transform any Harley.
Finally, the cream on the top is a rear stabilizer. If you buy an SG and wait until you have ridden it for a while before fitting a True-Track kit, you will notice the improvement within yards of riding away for the first time with it fitted. Indeed if they were the only modification done to a bone-stock bike, it would immediately be much quicker!
Your softail has been modified - there is no difference between that and an SG, as that will also benefit from similar shrewdly chosen modifications! You'll be fine with an SG.....
My first observation is that the majority of owners are probably happy as can be with their bikes! On the other hand the relatively few of us who find them wanting (I don't believe there is a fortune to be made out of this) and in need of improvement have a variety of options, some better than the rest.
All Harleys will benefit from better than stock tyres, to improve ride quality. There is little merit in becoming a slave to high mileage, something that seems to afflict many owners, especially when other brands give a better ride. Next up from the tarmac is rear shocks and a set of custom-built ones from HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal will truly transform any Harley.
Finally, the cream on the top is a rear stabilizer. If you buy an SG and wait until you have ridden it for a while before fitting a True-Track kit, you will notice the improvement within yards of riding away for the first time with it fitted. Indeed if they were the only modification done to a bone-stock bike, it would immediately be much quicker!
Your softail has been modified - there is no difference between that and an SG, as that will also benefit from similar shrewdly chosen modifications! You'll be fine with an SG.....
Last edited by grbrown; Jun 30, 2013 at 02:50 PM. Reason: Grammar.