Forgive me...another wobble thread.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 557
Likes: 1
From: 27540
Forgive me...another wobble thread.
I have a 2004 Road King and I've vaguely heard and read about the wobble issue before but I never really paid it too much attention. However I've been hearing more and more about it and it seems it's more common than most would think. I've never experienced it myself and I am pretty cautious and I tend to not over do it in corners or anything like that. But the thought of it ever occurring has me a bit concerned.
So rather than getting into the discussion of whether or not it's legit or what causes it or why Harley ignores it...I'm just trying to get a grasp on the potential solutions.
From what I can tell, one of the first things to do is to look into a stabilizer, something like the Bagger Brace seems to be popular. Then there is replacing the rubber bushings and checking out the bearings (which ones I'm not sure?) somewhere in the front end? And beyond that just keeping track of tire pressure and making sure they are 38psi, etc.
Is there anything else that would be good to keep a checklist of when it comes to trying to solve this potential hazard?
So rather than getting into the discussion of whether or not it's legit or what causes it or why Harley ignores it...I'm just trying to get a grasp on the potential solutions.
From what I can tell, one of the first things to do is to look into a stabilizer, something like the Bagger Brace seems to be popular. Then there is replacing the rubber bushings and checking out the bearings (which ones I'm not sure?) somewhere in the front end? And beyond that just keeping track of tire pressure and making sure they are 38psi, etc.
Is there anything else that would be good to keep a checklist of when it comes to trying to solve this potential hazard?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
My '03 experienced wobble, mine was due to a previous rough use owner. The bushings at the rear swing arm to trans/frame mount were toast, the swing arm itself had a crack and was under a upgrade TSB, those two replaced and all was better. It would still develop a wobble in hard turns under throttle once in awhile, usually where the pavement had been cut for better traction where that would get the slinking movement started.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Read the first post in my thread bagger wobble. Understand that on an older bike it is essential to ensure it is in tip top shape before adding any of the 'fixes'. That means simple things like tyres (low tread depth or badly worn shape can add to to any problems), correct tyre pressures and wheel alignment, steering head bearings correctly adjusted, etc.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 557
Likes: 1
From: 27540
Thanks for that detailed post. Very informative.
So the bottom line...I'm coming up on 5K miles (the guy who had the RK before me barely rode it) and I'll likely have the 5K mile service done. I will make sure to ask them to check out the things you noted including the tires, wheel alignment and the steering head bearings.
And then it seems it's well worth the investment in the True-Track or something like the Bagger Brace. Looking at both parts, they both seem to have a similar approach.
So thanks. I will make sure to have the tech who does my 5K service go over these things and I'll probably end up doing one of those two stabilizers.
So the bottom line...I'm coming up on 5K miles (the guy who had the RK before me barely rode it) and I'll likely have the 5K mile service done. I will make sure to ask them to check out the things you noted including the tires, wheel alignment and the steering head bearings.
And then it seems it's well worth the investment in the True-Track or something like the Bagger Brace. Looking at both parts, they both seem to have a similar approach.
So thanks. I will make sure to have the tech who does my 5K service go over these things and I'll probably end up doing one of those two stabilizers.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
With that low mileage, there may be relatively little that needs to be done, although if you discuss things with your Tech he should be able to guide you on any checks necessary.
Don't get too concerned about this 'wobble'! The internet is a great place, but full of stuff that gets repeated often, but experienced by relatively few people - by no means all Harley owners suffer from it, or ever visit HDF! As I said in that link, many may never experience wobble and shouldn't get anxious about it.
As for stabilizers, there are many products out there, but not all brands address the problem correctly. True-Track introduced the transverse rear link and have earned themselves a patent for it. The similar looking ones are jumping on the bandwagon. If you do use a TT kit (I can't talk for any of the others) you will find your bike steers and handles better under all conditions and even from very slow speeds. So they are a useful improvement.
Don't get too concerned about this 'wobble'! The internet is a great place, but full of stuff that gets repeated often, but experienced by relatively few people - by no means all Harley owners suffer from it, or ever visit HDF! As I said in that link, many may never experience wobble and shouldn't get anxious about it.
As for stabilizers, there are many products out there, but not all brands address the problem correctly. True-Track introduced the transverse rear link and have earned themselves a patent for it. The similar looking ones are jumping on the bandwagon. If you do use a TT kit (I can't talk for any of the others) you will find your bike steers and handles better under all conditions and even from very slow speeds. So they are a useful improvement.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 557
Likes: 1
From: 27540
With that low mileage, there may be relatively little that needs to be done, although if you discuss things with your Tech he should be able to guide you on any checks necessary.
Don't get too concerned about this 'wobble'! The internet is a great place, but full of stuff that gets repeated often, but experienced by relatively few people - by no means all Harley owners suffer from it, or ever visit HDF! As I said in that link, many may never experience wobble and shouldn't get anxious about it.
As for stabilizers, there are many products out there, but not all brands address the problem correctly. True-Track introduced the transverse rear link and have earned themselves a patent for it. The similar looking ones are jumping on the bandwagon. If you do use a TT kit (I can't talk for any of the others) you will find your bike steers and handles better under all conditions and even from very slow speeds. So they are a useful improvement.
Don't get too concerned about this 'wobble'! The internet is a great place, but full of stuff that gets repeated often, but experienced by relatively few people - by no means all Harley owners suffer from it, or ever visit HDF! As I said in that link, many may never experience wobble and shouldn't get anxious about it.
As for stabilizers, there are many products out there, but not all brands address the problem correctly. True-Track introduced the transverse rear link and have earned themselves a patent for it. The similar looking ones are jumping on the bandwagon. If you do use a TT kit (I can't talk for any of the others) you will find your bike steers and handles better under all conditions and even from very slow speeds. So they are a useful improvement.
I guess my train of thought is more about prevention and peace of mind. $300 isn't money I'd find in the couch, but over the long haul, it's not going to send me to the poor house. And if I can rest at night knowing I've done what I can to hopefully avoid any issues and make the bike more stable...great. If I put it on and never realize much difference and pretty much forget it's on there. That's also great because I can just enjoy safe riding.
I just don't want to brush this concern off and think, nothing will ever happen to me. And then one day find myself in the middle of a wobble and (knock on wood that I don't) fall. I'd hate to think...what if I spent the $300 and got that stabilizer put on? I also have a soon to be 5 year old little boy that I'd had to miss out on because I took a horrible spill. So those kinds of thoughts make me want to ensure I'm doing all I can to stay as safe as possible while assuming the usual risks of riding a motorcycle.
Last edited by ShockwaveTXB; Mar 28, 2014 at 10:03 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Trending Topics
I understand that this wobble issue is something some have experienced others have not. My father has been riding for 30 years and has had more bikes than I can count. He's never even heard of the wobble issue and has never experienced it when I mentioned it to him. Others have said they've noticed it on every bike they've had.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 13
From: 501
I am considering going the "Sta-Bo" route, as their is no extra hardware hanging below the bike reducing clearance. I think their part #ED16 should take care of it for good.
Check here: http://www.sta-bo.com/id2.html
And it is the least expensive route to take as well.
My $0.02
BOB
Check here: http://www.sta-bo.com/id2.html
And it is the least expensive route to take as well.
My $0.02
BOB
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
I am considering going the "Sta-Bo" route, as their is no extra hardware hanging below the bike reducing clearance. I think their part #ED16 should take care of it for good.
Check here: http://www.sta-bo.com/id2.html
And it is the least expensive route to take as well.
My $0.02
BOB
Check here: http://www.sta-bo.com/id2.html
And it is the least expensive route to take as well.
My $0.02
BOB
This is a good approach, address the root cause of the problem.
Post up the results would you?
I know not a person who went this route and my own experience has been with True Track and Glide Pro.
Just like the wise Mr. Brown says it does not happen to all bikes or riders. I had a riding buddy who said his bike was tight and good to go and when we switched so he could try all my suspension mods I discovered his bike was one of the loosest ones I rode. My experience is limited to less than 10 bikes all of them between 2001-2007.
My current bike does not exhibit the wobs but I am still installing the Glide Pro system because it really helps to tighten up the bike. Next up will be addressing the front when I can afford that !!
This is what it is right here in this CHP video.