General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Is it just me or the bike?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 11:13 AM
  #1  
yoacedeuce's Avatar
yoacedeuce
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default Is it just me or the bike?

I just got my bike back from the shop last saturday, and started noticing the past two days (including this morning) that when I make a turn or riding on a sharp curve the back end feels like it's about to give out. I'm wondering if it's just in my head or not...i laid my bike down on a curve (going 20mph, on wet blacktop) 2 months ago, i looked at the tire pressure and it's fine. If anyone has ever gotten a flat tire on their bike and tried to ride (really slow) and you feel the back end get kind of squirrely, that's how it feels on the curves, but not THAT bad, just sort of noticeable. Physically nothing looks wrong with the bike, think it's maybe my conscience being cautious or scared? Anyone else had this issue and turned out to be something wrong with the bike, that can't be found visually, maybe some sort of alignment or something with the rear tire?
 
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 11:15 AM
  #2  
piasspj's Avatar
piasspj
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Default

Is your seat fastened down correctly?
 
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 11:17 AM
  #3  
Branded 1's Avatar
Branded 1
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 663
Likes: 1
From: Yorkville Indiana
Default

Do you have spoked wheels? If you do sounf the spokes with a screw driver. If they are tight the spokes will kind of ring, it you have a loose spoke it will have a dull sound. loose spokes can feel like a tire issue.
 

Last edited by Branded 1; Nov 6, 2009 at 11:19 AM.
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 11:21 AM
  #4  
Geoff's Avatar
Geoff
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 825
From: Nevada
Default

Tires take longer to warm up in cooler temps.
 
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 11:22 AM
  #5  
gunner11's Avatar
gunner11
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 8
From: Roswell, NM
Default

maybe you're just paraniod, and looking for something to go wrong. there are a lot of people on this forum who spend more time trying to find something wrong with their bikes instead of realizing harley has little quirks and you need to just go with the flow and ride. It really is a tough bike and will take a lot of abuse and still run.
 
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 11:26 AM
  #6  
Faast Ed's Avatar
Faast Ed
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
Default

Originally Posted by gunner11
maybe you're just paraniod, and looking for something to go wrong. there are a lot of people on this forum who spend more time trying to find something wrong with their bikes instead of realizing harley has little quirks and you need to just go with the flow and ride. It really is a tough bike and will take a lot of abuse and still run.
Could be,..... but if you are wrong, somebody can get hurt real bad.

If your gut tells you something may be wrong, I suggest paying attention.

What kind of tire?
How many miles on it?
What air pressure do you run?
 

Last edited by Faast Ed; Nov 6, 2009 at 11:28 AM.
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 11:39 AM
  #7  
golfblues's Avatar
golfblues
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,599
From: Danbury CT
Default

No brainer. Bring it back to the shop & have them road test it, check the alignment & go over it just to be sure.
 
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 11:58 AM
  #8  
Headwolf's Avatar
Headwolf
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 441
Likes: 6
From: Reading Pa
Default

Shocks set up unevenly
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 12:13 PM
  #9  
Cajun King's Avatar
Cajun King
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 2
From: Lafayette, LA.
Default

Did you check your pressure when the tires were cold? If they were warm, the pressure is wrong. Mine got a little squirley and after the ride, I let the tires cool down and air pressure was off by 12 pounds.
 
Old Nov 6, 2009 | 12:26 PM
  #10  
oct1949's Avatar
oct1949
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Default

U said about to give out... what does that mean.?

Is it a real issue and can feel something, or do U think its on the edge and could go?
First part needs addressed, If its the latter maybe its still in the back of Ur mind.
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:52 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE