Wobble around long turns
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
in addition to all of the above...
aerodynamics.
the batwing fairing unloads the front end ( lifts, and reduces traction) which can have the front dance around
b.) the fairing is fork mounted, air hitting the fairing is translated to "steering input"- when leaned over, it is possible to have more air on the "inside"- a ground effect, or in canyons having updrafts affect the fairing more on one side than the other.
but check tires and pressure first
a little squeeze on the front brake can shift weight forward and settle down a woogly front end
I myself never felt the need to add a frame brace etc- although my evo did have a carlini torque arm to stiffen the drivetrain
mike
aerodynamics.
the batwing fairing unloads the front end ( lifts, and reduces traction) which can have the front dance around
b.) the fairing is fork mounted, air hitting the fairing is translated to "steering input"- when leaned over, it is possible to have more air on the "inside"- a ground effect, or in canyons having updrafts affect the fairing more on one side than the other.
but check tires and pressure first
a little squeeze on the front brake can shift weight forward and settle down a woogly front end
I myself never felt the need to add a frame brace etc- although my evo did have a carlini torque arm to stiffen the drivetrain
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Oct 18, 2012 at 08:28 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
doubtful on our motor design.- everything works in the same plane as the direction of travel, changes in motor rotation or driven parts will affect the front rear balance, not side to side
the bmw boxer and guzzi have a large flywheel rotating 90ş to the direction of travel and changes to the throttle can really alter the bike's travel through a bend- a shaft drive makes this even more apparent.
the first time I rode a yam XS1100 ( shaft), I was surprised at the the rear lifted to the left when getting on it.
since then having bmw and guzzi, I have gotten somewhat used to it ...
but not digging it.
this is why sportbikes use a chain
mike
the bmw boxer and guzzi have a large flywheel rotating 90ş to the direction of travel and changes to the throttle can really alter the bike's travel through a bend- a shaft drive makes this even more apparent.
the first time I rode a yam XS1100 ( shaft), I was surprised at the the rear lifted to the left when getting on it.
since then having bmw and guzzi, I have gotten somewhat used to it ...
but not digging it.
this is why sportbikes use a chain
mike
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 4
From: nebraska
The day i made the 100 mile drive home from the Dealer on my used 2008 FLHRC i had a bad wallloing wobble on long sweeping corners .
I had ASSumed the bike would be set up ok when i picked it up .
The new tires were both low ...10 or 15psi and the air shocks only had 6lb .
Adding correct air to tires and shocks solved the probblem .
I had ASSumed the bike would be set up ok when i picked it up .
The new tires were both low ...10 or 15psi and the air shocks only had 6lb .
Adding correct air to tires and shocks solved the probblem .
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: Randleman, NC
Had a slight wobble in long sweepers at high speed & a high speed wobble between 85-90 mph, True Trak & Avon Venom X tires made it all go away. Have since changed to Dunlop Elite 3 tires which handle great with no wobbles & I'm getting better mileage than Avons. Added bonus they are cheaper.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
Look up Bagger Brace
Baaaagerrrr Braaaaace...Bagger Brace Bagger Brace...solves your problem on an 06, 07, 08 (mine) and beyond. Ya got a wobble issue baked right into the design...Thanks HD...um they kinda know it too...Yep...You'd think they would offer a solution...but NOOOOOO...it's ok, it's suppose to do that...keeps you from going around curves so fast, its a safety feature we built into your bike...Just ask a dealer...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Read bagger-wobble-exposed.
You're mixing things up there Mike! The reason we don't fall over while riding a bicycle or motorbike, and a car goes where we point it, is gyroscopic stability, thanks to all the rotating parts. As a kid you may have a toy made up of a spinning top balanced on a point. Doesn't matter which way round the engine is, it is rotating at speed and helps stabilize the vehicle.
When a shaft-drive bike lifts, it is responding to torque reaction between the crown and pinion in the rear drive. When we accelerate our Harleys the front wheel lifts, only a little admittedly in normal circumstances, but that is the same torque reaction. A chain drive bike will do the same as a belt drive.
doubtful on our motor design.- everything works in the same plane as the direction of travel, changes in motor rotation or driven parts will affect the front rear balance, not side to side
the bmw boxer and guzzi have a large flywheel rotating 90ş to the direction of travel and changes to the throttle can really alter the bike's travel through a bend- a shaft drive makes this even more apparent.
the first time I rode a yam XS1100 ( shaft), I was surprised at the the rear lifted to the left when getting on it.
since then having bmw and guzzi, I have gotten somewhat used to it ...
but not digging it.
this is why sportbikes use a chain
mike
the bmw boxer and guzzi have a large flywheel rotating 90ş to the direction of travel and changes to the throttle can really alter the bike's travel through a bend- a shaft drive makes this even more apparent.
the first time I rode a yam XS1100 ( shaft), I was surprised at the the rear lifted to the left when getting on it.
since then having bmw and guzzi, I have gotten somewhat used to it ...
but not digging it.
this is why sportbikes use a chain
mike
When a shaft-drive bike lifts, it is responding to torque reaction between the crown and pinion in the rear drive. When we accelerate our Harleys the front wheel lifts, only a little admittedly in normal circumstances, but that is the same torque reaction. A chain drive bike will do the same as a belt drive.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 23
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Thank you ya I bought bike from dealer and it did it min I rode it took it back but they didn't see any thing but who knows how well they actuall looked at it ill check all the above and see what I can do
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
no not mixed up- I think you are using the English style English language agin.
again, on our bikes, ALL the rotating masses are in the direction of travel
on the bmw/guzzi and some other shift drive vehicles- there is rotating mass 90ş to the direction of travel.
try blipping the throttle in a curve on a bmw...you are either going deeper or throwing yourself out of the turn
mike
again, on our bikes, ALL the rotating masses are in the direction of travel
on the bmw/guzzi and some other shift drive vehicles- there is rotating mass 90ş to the direction of travel.
try blipping the throttle in a curve on a bmw...you are either going deeper or throwing yourself out of the turn
mike
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
All the above mentioned should be checked. But here is my 2 cents.
Never had a problem with long sweeping turns at higher than speed limit speeds. One day, the front end started to wobble. Let off the gas, clinched my cheeks and rode it out.
Could never duplicate the feeling again.
Had it checked out and dealer said my front wheel bearings were shot. 2009 FLHX with 20K on the tires. Tech rode the bike around the parking lot and hit the kill switch to coast. You could hear the bearings grinding. Also showed me how the front tire was wearing uneven.
This all happened after my trip to Tail of the Dragon on my way home. $50 deductible fixed the bearing. When I was riding home, I felt how the tire wore uneven. Now the wobble was worse. Everytime I leaned the bike for a turn, I had a heavy vibration in the front end. Had my servicing dealer warranty out the front tire because the failed bearing made it wear uneven. They did me a solid!
Never had a problem with long sweeping turns at higher than speed limit speeds. One day, the front end started to wobble. Let off the gas, clinched my cheeks and rode it out.
Could never duplicate the feeling again.
Had it checked out and dealer said my front wheel bearings were shot. 2009 FLHX with 20K on the tires. Tech rode the bike around the parking lot and hit the kill switch to coast. You could hear the bearings grinding. Also showed me how the front tire was wearing uneven.
This all happened after my trip to Tail of the Dragon on my way home. $50 deductible fixed the bearing. When I was riding home, I felt how the tire wore uneven. Now the wobble was worse. Everytime I leaned the bike for a turn, I had a heavy vibration in the front end. Had my servicing dealer warranty out the front tire because the failed bearing made it wear uneven. They did me a solid!
That said, I'm not so sure their bearing diagnosis was accurate. I would think the brake noise would trump anything you might hear from the bearing with the test method you described unless the bearing was literally falling apart. As for the tire wearing unevenly, that is very common even with perfect bearings at 20,000 miles. And like you said, you could never duplicate the original problem (wobble) you felt this one time. If a bearing was bad enough to cause the wobble you'd feel it all the time - not just once.
I think they just changed out some parts, made you happy, got you for the $50.00 deductible, and didn't really fix anything.