Death wobble caught on tape
#21
06-30-2017, 09:40 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
#22
06-30-2017, 09:42 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
#23
06-30-2017, 09:42 AM
Off hand, I'd say it's classic steering head wobble/wiggle/etc. Virtually any motorcycle will do this under the right conditions. It can be contained if caught and dealt with quickly, otherwise it just as quickly becomes a crash like this video shows.
When I have a bike start this I will strongly grip the bars in both hands and hold them stiffly, bring the bike speed down sharply, and lean my weight down over the tank.
A steering damper is a great tool at reducing this. It's not a fix, but it's a great aid. A somewhat tight steering head bearing set sorta achieves a similar damping.
Things that tend to make this problem worse are windshields, handlebar tool bags, no handed riding, one handed riding, sitting straight upright or leaning back. Sometimes a downhill coast seems to exasurbate it as well. There can also be certain frequency combinations that can occurr within an individual bike or bike/rider/gear combination that can trigger it.
When I have a bike start this I will strongly grip the bars in both hands and hold them stiffly, bring the bike speed down sharply, and lean my weight down over the tank.
A steering damper is a great tool at reducing this. It's not a fix, but it's a great aid. A somewhat tight steering head bearing set sorta achieves a similar damping.
Things that tend to make this problem worse are windshields, handlebar tool bags, no handed riding, one handed riding, sitting straight upright or leaning back. Sometimes a downhill coast seems to exasurbate it as well. There can also be certain frequency combinations that can occurr within an individual bike or bike/rider/gear combination that can trigger it.
#24
06-30-2017, 09:43 AM
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Dunno if a "steering stabilizer" would have helped or not. Had this same thing happen to me when riding a Suzuki GS1100E, back in the early '80's. Scary head shake.
Too much weight in his bags?
Sure would like to know the cause.
Is this the same thing that happened to the CHP motor during a Presidential motorcade?
Too much weight in his bags?
Sure would like to know the cause.
Is this the same thing that happened to the CHP motor during a Presidential motorcade?
#25
06-30-2017, 09:45 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
The following users liked this post:
Free2Ride (06-30-2017)
#26
06-30-2017, 09:49 AM
Road Master
#29
06-30-2017, 09:55 AM
Supporter
Off hand, I'd say it's classic steering head wobble/wiggle/etc. Virtually any motorcycle will do this under the right conditions. It can be contained if caught and dealt with quickly, otherwise it just as quickly becomes a crash like this video shows.
When I have a bike start this I will strongly grip the bars in both hands and hold them stiffly, bring the bike speed down sharply, and lean my weight down over the tank.
A steering damper is a great tool at reducing this. It's not a fix, but it's a great aid. A somewhat tight steering head bearing set sorta achieves a similar damping.
Things that tend to make this problem worse are windshields, handlebar tool bags, no handed riding, one handed riding, sitting straight upright or leaning back. Sometimes a downhill coast seems to exasurbate it as well. There can also be certain frequency combinations that can occurr within an individual bike or bike/rider/gear combination that can trigger it.
When I have a bike start this I will strongly grip the bars in both hands and hold them stiffly, bring the bike speed down sharply, and lean my weight down over the tank.
A steering damper is a great tool at reducing this. It's not a fix, but it's a great aid. A somewhat tight steering head bearing set sorta achieves a similar damping.
Things that tend to make this problem worse are windshields, handlebar tool bags, no handed riding, one handed riding, sitting straight upright or leaning back. Sometimes a downhill coast seems to exasurbate it as well. There can also be certain frequency combinations that can occurr within an individual bike or bike/rider/gear combination that can trigger it.
#30
06-30-2017, 09:58 AM
Road Warrior