death wobble/tank slapper/speed wobble - very dangerous
#31
06-13-2012, 11:59 AM
#32
06-13-2012, 02:30 PM
If your new helmet is causing more noise, then yes it could be the cause. Noise is a much greater problem than is widely recognised and causes tension. That in turn makes us grip the bars tighter and can cause steering problems. Try wearing ear plugs to protect your hearing and if the problem goes away, you know that is the cause.
#33
06-14-2012, 04:27 PM
Just went to see if my new helmet is the problem because the bike checked out good. Well, it definitely makes it worse! I went back & forth on the same 5 miles stretch of highway. W/the helmet on, it did the 'wobble' 8 out of 10 tries. W/out the helmet it did it 2 out of 10 tries but I had to be going faster w/out the helmet to make it happen. W/out the helmet I noticed this: the wind would be a constant 'whooooooooooooooo'. Then I'd speed up, the wind sound would change to a wawawawawawa(buffeting sound) THEN it would start to wobble. I have a '11 48 w/14" apes & no windshield.
#34
06-14-2012, 06:59 PM
Road Warrior
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MoBillyAla (06-27-2019)
#35
06-26-2019, 10:57 AM
1st Gear
for the past few weeks I have been noticing a very slight wobble back and forth on the front tire when I hit 75+ on the highway, almost like driving over a steel deck bridge. Its not bad and I thought something was loose so I checked all the bolts too see if something rattled loose and nothing. So I thought it was just in my head but....
I just drove home like crazy getting up to 90. When I got up to 85-90 it turned into an extremely dangerous wobble, if it could still even be considered just a wobble. I assume this is the dreaded 'death wobble' that I had heard about?
I instantly slowed down bc the thing was going to buck me off it if I kept on it. Once I got down to 80 it was fine again. I took it up to 90 just to see if I could figure out what it was or if I could keep it straight with no luck. It litterally would have shaken itself untill it tipped over.
I don't plan on going 90 anytime soon but is there a problem with the wobble at slower speeds, is there anything I can do to try and make it less severe? Is there some alignment issue I'm missing or could it be something like tire pressure? Thanks.
Similiar to what I had happen, skip the first 1:00: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAnjj...eature=related
I just drove home like crazy getting up to 90. When I got up to 85-90 it turned into an extremely dangerous wobble, if it could still even be considered just a wobble. I assume this is the dreaded 'death wobble' that I had heard about?
I instantly slowed down bc the thing was going to buck me off it if I kept on it. Once I got down to 80 it was fine again. I took it up to 90 just to see if I could figure out what it was or if I could keep it straight with no luck. It litterally would have shaken itself untill it tipped over.
I don't plan on going 90 anytime soon but is there a problem with the wobble at slower speeds, is there anything I can do to try and make it less severe? Is there some alignment issue I'm missing or could it be something like tire pressure? Thanks.
Similiar to what I had happen, skip the first 1:00: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAnjj...eature=related
#38
06-26-2019, 12:14 PM
1st Gear
I had more issues prior to getting a windsheild. Once the windshield was installed i had zero issues except on pavement snakes and grooves but those wobvles usually solve themselves.
#39
06-26-2019, 12:34 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Same here with grooves but what can you expect with such a skinny front wheel ? ( 2004 XL R ) I would imagine that more modern Sportsters with their fatter tyres wouldn't do this so much .
