Do the 14's Have the "Bagger Wobble"
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock, TX
Never a hint of front end wobble no matter how hard I have pushed my 2014 Limited. She will wiggle her hips a little if pushed very hard thru high speed sweepers but nothing alarming. Front end very secure.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 131
Likes: 12
From: Ottawa, Canada
And the counterpoint thought... Why would anyone want to putt around like an old grandma all day long? Where's the fun and excitement in that?
And to add my two-cents to the original question... I'm not sure how the 14s handle but I imagine the front end changes can do nothing but help. As for '08 and earlier models, I don't know because I never rode one. The '09 through '13 models, of which I have an '11, do exhibit some wobble under the right conditions but nothing near what I would call a "death wobble" and I think that tires are a major influence. Any wobble with my bike is nearly non-existent when the tires are new, but the wobble becomes more regular, more pronounced, and expected as the tires get some miles on them.
And to add my two-cents to the original question... I'm not sure how the 14s handle but I imagine the front end changes can do nothing but help. As for '08 and earlier models, I don't know because I never rode one. The '09 through '13 models, of which I have an '11, do exhibit some wobble under the right conditions but nothing near what I would call a "death wobble" and I think that tires are a major influence. Any wobble with my bike is nearly non-existent when the tires are new, but the wobble becomes more regular, more pronounced, and expected as the tires get some miles on them.
.......martin
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 131
Likes: 12
From: Ottawa, Canada
most of the people that i've heard that experienced the wobble was not in riding the twisties aggressivley. it was on those long sweepers on the interstate at high speed.
myself, i had it happen twice on my 07. both times were at higher speed on the highway. scared the chit outta me
never had it on any of my other bikes.
myself, i had it happen twice on my 07. both times were at higher speed on the highway. scared the chit outta me
never had it on any of my other bikes..........martin
I experienced a slight wobble once on my 07, after a good look over many miles later I found there was a small oil leek on one on the rear shocks. (stock ones) I replaced the pair with a new set someone removed to lower their bike and I have never had a problem since.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
exactly right. I had a tank slapper when I was speeding through sweeping turn on an 08 road king I had. I thought about it later and thats what I was doing, pulling back on the bars as I was going ***** out trying to outrun a friend instead of pressing against em.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,446
Likes: 5
From: Mesquite Tx
I've had mine wobble a bit on long sweeping corners at high speed when the pavement is not perfectly smooth. I went into one at about 85mph and hit a small imperfection and the back started to wobble. I just let off the throttle and rode it thrust the corner and then hammered down on it. Its going to happen from time to time when your pushing the limits.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Straight line speed has nothing to do with this discussion.
It's the long sweepers such as on the interstate or multi-lane primary roads where you enter them at 80 or above and maintain those speeds (or greater) through the duration of the curve. That's where it happens if it happens at all. The oscillations must have time to build, and that is exactly what happens in the very long sweepers. Quick twisties will not exhibit the same problem. You may feel a wiggly back end, but that's your fault for not managing available friction.
The larger cross-sectional area of the Rushmore front legs and the front clamping improvements should help to minimize the buildup and amplitude of the oscillations, but I am afraid not totally eliminate these oscillations depending upon the duration of the high-speed curve undertaken.
With the continued use of cheap air shocks and motor mounting, even on the Rushmores, a good set of high quality rear shocks and high quality motor to frame stabilizer, such as a True Track, would add even more oscillation dampening.
Light sport bikes are made for high speed sweepers, not 800 lb Harley touring bikes.
It's the long sweepers such as on the interstate or multi-lane primary roads where you enter them at 80 or above and maintain those speeds (or greater) through the duration of the curve. That's where it happens if it happens at all. The oscillations must have time to build, and that is exactly what happens in the very long sweepers. Quick twisties will not exhibit the same problem. You may feel a wiggly back end, but that's your fault for not managing available friction.
The larger cross-sectional area of the Rushmore front legs and the front clamping improvements should help to minimize the buildup and amplitude of the oscillations, but I am afraid not totally eliminate these oscillations depending upon the duration of the high-speed curve undertaken.
With the continued use of cheap air shocks and motor mounting, even on the Rushmores, a good set of high quality rear shocks and high quality motor to frame stabilizer, such as a True Track, would add even more oscillation dampening.
Light sport bikes are made for high speed sweepers, not 800 lb Harley touring bikes.
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