Bagger wobble exposed!
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Hi fabrik8r,
As I described in my first post, the mounts serve two purposes, one to mitigate the effects of engine-speed vibration or shake, the other to dampen the higher frequencies. All reciprocating engines generate harmonic frequencies, at multiples of engine speed, and rubber serves well to help tame them.
Read the Six degrees of freedom link, where you will see, but for one flaw, that the original Harley system addresses all the articulation you refer to. It is an elegant design!
Back in 2005 the British magazine 'Bike' conducted an extensive test of all the sports bikes of the day, including Ducatis and the top Jap models. The Buell Firebolt was voted best handling! So the Harley system can work alongside the very best out there. Of course that doesn't detract from an alternative approach, so retire soon.....
I've been riding and refining my own bike for 22 years now! It's coming along fine. Not perfect, but better, with a little help from you!
As I described in my first post, the mounts serve two purposes, one to mitigate the effects of engine-speed vibration or shake, the other to dampen the higher frequencies. All reciprocating engines generate harmonic frequencies, at multiples of engine speed, and rubber serves well to help tame them.
Read the Six degrees of freedom link, where you will see, but for one flaw, that the original Harley system addresses all the articulation you refer to. It is an elegant design!
Back in 2005 the British magazine 'Bike' conducted an extensive test of all the sports bikes of the day, including Ducatis and the top Jap models. The Buell Firebolt was voted best handling! So the Harley system can work alongside the very best out there. Of course that doesn't detract from an alternative approach, so retire soon.....
I've been riding and refining my own bike for 22 years now! It's coming along fine. Not perfect, but better, with a little help from you!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
I won't get into the which is best debate but want to post my experience with stablizers.
I installed a Tru Track on my '08 Dyna with only a few thousand miles on it on a rainy day and didn't take the bike out until a few days later , forgetting that I had installed the stablizer. I immediatley noticed a difference in handling like I was on a rail , the bike handled great. Now I added a '10 RK to the stable and installed a TT on it also with just a few thousand miles on it but didn't notice any difference at all.
Also, just more info .. I lost a friend recently going a documented 45mph when his '02 RK went into a wobble on a corner and he lost it. Three witnesses!
RIP Lumpy
I installed a Tru Track on my '08 Dyna with only a few thousand miles on it on a rainy day and didn't take the bike out until a few days later , forgetting that I had installed the stablizer. I immediatley noticed a difference in handling like I was on a rail , the bike handled great. Now I added a '10 RK to the stable and installed a TT on it also with just a few thousand miles on it but didn't notice any difference at all.
Also, just more info .. I lost a friend recently going a documented 45mph when his '02 RK went into a wobble on a corner and he lost it. Three witnesses!
RIP Lumpy
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
I won't get into the which is best debate but want to post my experience with stablizers.
I installed a Tru Track on my '08 Dyna with only a few thousand miles on it on a rainy day and didn't take the bike out until a few days later , forgetting that I had installed the stablizer. I immediatley noticed a difference in handling like I was on a rail , the bike handled great. Now I added a '10 RK to the stable and installed a TT on it also with just a few thousand miles on it but didn't notice any difference at all.
Also, just more info .. I lost a friend recently going a documented 45mph when his '02 RK went into a wobble on a corner and he lost it. Three witnesses!
RIP Lumpy
I installed a Tru Track on my '08 Dyna with only a few thousand miles on it on a rainy day and didn't take the bike out until a few days later , forgetting that I had installed the stablizer. I immediatley noticed a difference in handling like I was on a rail , the bike handled great. Now I added a '10 RK to the stable and installed a TT on it also with just a few thousand miles on it but didn't notice any difference at all.
Also, just more info .. I lost a friend recently going a documented 45mph when his '02 RK went into a wobble on a corner and he lost it. Three witnesses!
RIP Lumpy
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 95
Likes: 8
From: SC
2007 FLHX with:
- Bagger Brace
- Custom Cycle Engineering Triple Tree Pinch Top Bolt Plate
- Progressive Mono-Tubes front/940 rear shocks
- Both tires under 500 miles properly inflated
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Springfield, MO
So if it is the design and not the set up of the bike, suspension, tire pressure, condition etc. why doesn't it happen all the time? Not trying to be contrary, just trying to understand. If it is a certain set of environmental factors (road, speed etc.) it still seems that with all the riders and bikes out there this would be happening constantly.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 593
Likes: 4
From:
I bought a 2005 Road King about 2 years ago and the wobble was the first thing I noticed when I took it out on the highway. I hated it, so I did a lot of research and tried one of those braces and it just caused terrible vibration, so I tried this http://www.glide-pro.com/?gclid=CPzb...Fc2A7QodNCGOXw and it works wonderfully. I would never ride a bagger without this Glide Pro sytem now. The Glide Pro system goes after the root of the problem and has made my 05 Road King ride much better. I had a Motor Cop take my bike out for a ride and he was not able to make it wobble like his bike does, so I was sold.
Last edited by VTwinJaxFL; Jul 17, 2012 at 07:52 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Hi Tbird,
I have to disagree! A stabilizer will tighten up the steering of your bike and improve the riding experience at all speeds. If you fit one you will notice the improvement before you get into top gear. If you never ride fast you will still benefit, as your bike will be more responsive and steer more accurately. We can ALL win!
I have to disagree! A stabilizer will tighten up the steering of your bike and improve the riding experience at all speeds. If you fit one you will notice the improvement before you get into top gear. If you never ride fast you will still benefit, as your bike will be more responsive and steer more accurately. We can ALL win!
HD Touring bikes can be made to corner better with more stability, but it's only slightly better than polishing a turd (as far cornering goes when compared to other bikes)
I love my touring bike, but I fully know what it is, and what is isn't.
I have never experienced the wobble, probably because I haven't pushed it hard enough. As far as tracking, the bike, at least mine, is predictable and goes where I point it. With the gear I have on it for long distance touring, I'd probably scrape the boards to the point of levering the bike if I tried to corner hard.
Like I said, I'll end up getting the proper tool for the job. Probably a sportster, solid mounted. It's a great starting platform and won't take much if anything to run circles around a modded tourer.
Last edited by 56tbird; Jul 17, 2012 at 08:04 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
The occasions when our attention is most emphatically grabbed is at speed, for example in a fast bend and when hitting a bad patch of road, which upsets the balance of the bike. That is when the 'squash' occurs at its greatest and misalignment of the rear wheel is momentarily at its worst.
Last edited by grbrown; Jul 17, 2012 at 08:16 AM. Reason: Grammar!