Do the 14's Have the "Bagger Wobble"
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
I consider myself a very aggressive (fast) rider. My 2006 Ultra put me in a tank slapper situation while at high speed in a slight down hill and straight freeway stretch. Thought for sure I was going down. Could not hold the handlebars still no matter how much I tried. You may think you are a strong guy, but I challenge anyone to hold onto motorcycle bars when a tank slapper occurs. Was looking at the ground thinking this was really going to hurt. But rode out if it and death wobble stopped once I was down to 50 or so. It took me half a minute to slowly decelerate. Scrubbing the brakes made things worse. Bike had new tires and recent steering head maintenance done. Just had to let it continue fish tailing until it decided it had enough.
My 2010 Ultra was vastly better. Only one minor tank slapper event going around a long sweeping curve on the freeway. Made my heart skip a few beats but only lasted 5 seconds or so. It would still wag its tail around corners but it never seemed dangerous.
My new 2014 Limited seems very solid with the revised front end. I have regained my confidence in HD touring bikes. The new bike seems very nimble and sure footed in corners as well as near triple digit freeway speed. Only time will tell.
I realize the often discussed wobble and a tank slapper are different things. In my opinion they are related. The tank slapper that killed the cop probably started out as an innocent wobble.
I ride a lot. Have owned seven Harleys. This new Limited seems to be a leap in the handling department. Love this thing.
My 2010 Ultra was vastly better. Only one minor tank slapper event going around a long sweeping curve on the freeway. Made my heart skip a few beats but only lasted 5 seconds or so. It would still wag its tail around corners but it never seemed dangerous.
My new 2014 Limited seems very solid with the revised front end. I have regained my confidence in HD touring bikes. The new bike seems very nimble and sure footed in corners as well as near triple digit freeway speed. Only time will tell.
I realize the often discussed wobble and a tank slapper are different things. In my opinion they are related. The tank slapper that killed the cop probably started out as an innocent wobble.
I ride a lot. Have owned seven Harleys. This new Limited seems to be a leap in the handling department. Love this thing.
One of my new tour bike driver has a 09 with front end wobble. He was pulling back on the handlebars instead of pushing on them. Adjusted the handlebars to fit him and the problem went away. My 08 has rubber role when I,m hot I the corners.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 45
From: Long Island, NY
My concern is related as to weather or not I should add the rear brace.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,776
Likes: 2,252
From: wet coast BC
The rear brace was an add on for pre 09 bikes, before the frame was changed. IMO, you do not need it
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
Had a 10 Ultra Limited and never had a issue with wobble or so I thought until I got my 14 CVO Limited. The 14 is far more stable in all aspects of riding at any speed. Just put it were you want and there it stays.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
I have had wobs on my 2004 Kings and several buddies on their pre 09 bikes as well. Some were corrected with routine maintenance. Glide Pro took care of the rest.
My Dad had a 2009 Ultra and it was more solid but still felt loose ? I will attribute it to the forks and trees.
Dad has a 2014 witht he new front end and it quite a bit more solid feeling, my humble opinion is the wobs are gone,on a properly maintained bike.
My Dad had a 2009 Ultra and it was more solid but still felt loose ? I will attribute it to the forks and trees.
Dad has a 2014 witht he new front end and it quite a bit more solid feeling, my humble opinion is the wobs are gone,on a properly maintained bike.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 641
Likes: 30
From: Clovis, CA
Only have 6k on my '14 RK. Lots of sweepers though at medium to medium high speed. No wobble here. I've ridden dirt bikes for quite awhile and there are times when I feel the bike do something underneath me and I discount it for just reaction to road conditions much like you would on the dirt. Here in California, I challenge anybody to distinguish bagger wobble from the crappy road conditions we pay our .80 cents per gallon to maintain.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 7
From: D/FW Texas
EXACTLY ! My 06 Electraglide never had wobble issues when running hard through twisties; but was almost always predictible when riding through an long easy sweeping turn when riding at a non-agressive 55-75 mph. Completely went away when I added my rear brace.
