Bagger wobble exposed!
Yes I saw those. Don't think they fit 09 and new as well.
I installed a chassis link and wrote a review on what I think about it. Been following this post since the start thanks Graham and other contributors.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...um-shocks.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...um-shocks.html
I installed a chassis link and wrote a review on what I think about it. Been following this post since the start thanks Graham and other contributors.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...um-shocks.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...um-shocks.html
Also the Progressive folks said a special adapter is needed for certain exhaust mounts. In particular the V&H dresser duals I'm running.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas Area
Thanks for the info, Graham. I experienced the death wobble a couple of times in the past and was always able to get it back. Last week, not so much. I'm 54 and have been riding since I was 7 years old. All types of bikes from dirt bikes on up. I've been riding this bike since it was new in '07. I was on a road I ride 5 days a week to and from work. I was going my normal speed, the speed limit of 70 mph. I went into the curve and shortly thereafter, the back end started wobbling. Felt more like bouncing or lunging. Bigger each time. I was on the low side of the curve. Let me state something here. The handlebars weren't moving or wobbling, just the back end of the bike. I had already let off the throttle and it kept at it. I hit both brakes with steadied it out, but by then I was up on the outside of the curve and I ended up going off the road into a grain field. The front tire dug into the soft dirt, and I was DONE. Bike totaled and I broke my back in 2 places (T10 and T11). Tires are ALWAYS inflated to 40 back, 38 front. Bike had about 60,000 miles on it. Unless you ride "granny style", don't think it can't happen to you. Shopping for my new sled now and good to know the new frame didn't eliminate the problem, and yes, there IS a problem. I'm just glad to be on the right side of the grass! Ride safe folks!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
The lesson that you forgot.
Any two wheel motorcycle ever built can wobble or weave. The OP should review the British Video that has been posted on HD forums some time ago from the seventies. It showed the rider inducing both conditions on a mid sized bike and the corrective actions to correct the behavior.
I have all families of HD bikes including five touring models including the Road King, Ultra Classic, and three versions of the Road Glide.
I tour extensively and maintain my own bikes. I know how to load them and what riding is needed to avoid any control problem. Thus, over the 58 years of riding and covering the North American Continent, I have never had a wobble or weave on any HD.
Overload a two up touring bike beyond it's rated capacities, go over the speed limit on a big sweeping curve then the result is operator error not the HD bike. Period. End of story.
By the way the FRONT wobbles and the REAR weaves.
Any two wheel motorcycle ever built can wobble or weave. The OP should review the British Video that has been posted on HD forums some time ago from the seventies. It showed the rider inducing both conditions on a mid sized bike and the corrective actions to correct the behavior.
I have all families of HD bikes including five touring models including the Road King, Ultra Classic, and three versions of the Road Glide.
I tour extensively and maintain my own bikes. I know how to load them and what riding is needed to avoid any control problem. Thus, over the 58 years of riding and covering the North American Continent, I have never had a wobble or weave on any HD.
Overload a two up touring bike beyond it's rated capacities, go over the speed limit on a big sweeping curve then the result is operator error not the HD bike. Period. End of story.
By the way the FRONT wobbles and the REAR weaves.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Thanks for the info, Graham. I experienced the death wobble a couple of times in the past and was always able to get it back. Last week, not so much. I'm 54 and have been riding since I was 7 years old. All types of bikes from dirt bikes on up. I've been riding this bike since it was new in '07. I was on a road I ride 5 days a week to and from work. I was going my normal speed, the speed limit of 70 mph. I went into the curve and shortly thereafter, the back end started wobbling. Felt more like bouncing or lunging. Bigger each time. I was on the low side of the curve. Let me state something here. The handlebars weren't moving or wobbling, just the back end of the bike. I had already let off the throttle and it kept at it. I hit both brakes with steadied it out, but by then I was up on the outside of the curve and I ended up going off the road into a grain field. The front tire dug into the soft dirt, and I was DONE. Bike totaled and I broke my back in 2 places (T10 and T11). Tires are ALWAYS inflated to 40 back, 38 front. Bike had about 60,000 miles on it. Unless you ride "granny style", don't think it can't happen to you. Shopping for my new sled now and good to know the new frame didn't eliminate the problem, and yes, there IS a problem. I'm just glad to be on the right side of the grass! Ride safe folks!
Sorry to learn of your 'adventure' and hope you make a full recovery. I have done extensive mods to my own bike, to improve ride and handling, so if you want any tips on enhancing your new ride I'm happy to offer suggestions. If you can run to a 2014 bike that is the best starting point!
Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: Madison, AL
Thank you for this excellent thread Graham. I've been riding metric my whole life, pretty aggressively in my younger days and never heard of the death wobble. I just picked up my first HD a couple of months ago and it seems rock solid. But after reading this entire thread it would seem negligent not to enhance the ride and control of my bike. Seems there are enough stories where folks experience this wobble after a lifetime of riding. Why take that risk. Especially as I usually ride 2-up. Thanks again for sharing your expertise and experience. Much appreciated.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Thank you for this excellent thread Graham. I've been riding metric my whole life, pretty aggressively in my younger days and never heard of the death wobble. I just picked up my first HD a couple of months ago and it seems rock solid. But after reading this entire thread it would seem negligent not to enhance the ride and control of my bike. Seems there are enough stories where folks experience this wobble after a lifetime of riding. Why take that risk. Especially as I usually ride 2-up. Thanks again for sharing your expertise and experience. Much appreciated.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas Area
Damn, there's quite a few AZZHATS posting up in here! Sure, if you ride ON your motorcycle, it may never happen to you. If you RIDE your motorcycle, it very well may. 48 years of riding and it's happened THREE times. Everything's perfect and then, all of a sudden, it's not. To you with your head, and noses, in the clouds, keep it there. That's cool. You're just SO much BETTER than all the rest of us! Really! Your skills are, apparently, UNMATCHED!!! Please ... just leave us mere MORTALS be!!! Let us just die in our incompetence and ignorance!!! If only ... if ONLY ... we were as good as you THINK you are!!!
And, speaking of mere MORTALS, Graham, I DO plan on upgrading to a '14. Anything I need to know about THAT one? I haven't ridden anything newer than my brother's 2010 SGSE.
And, speaking of mere MORTALS, Graham, I DO plan on upgrading to a '14. Anything I need to know about THAT one? I haven't ridden anything newer than my brother's 2010 SGSE.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
It has new improved forks, with top and bottom trees that both clamp the fork legs, which is a far superior front end to all previous models. It has much the same frame and rear end as the 09-on models, so may suffer 'minor' wobbles arising from its rubber mount system and lack of lateral stabilizers. If you find your bike needs them, True-Track have the solution!