So..I've been getting this crazy wobble while decelerating. It first started at around 100mph, then 85mph, then 70mph until it reached 60ish. I brought her to the dealership (Friday) and they concluded that my neck bearing (iirc) was loose and the tire was over inflated to 40psi and that they lowered the pressure to 30psi (to what they called the standard). So...they re-tighten everything and took her for a ride. The technician said he didn't feel anything, but only went 70mph (company policies). Fine...grabbed my gear and headed the same road for a test. I hit around 85-90mph and there it was. I came back and told them it was still doing it but at a higher speed now and that I was going to leave her.

Funny remark of that day.
Manager asks me: Are you using both hands while riding?
Response: Yes. - What I really thought: OF COURSE NOT! My handlebars are wiggling uncontrollably...let's try no handed!

Anyways, I got called Sat evening and was told that they couldn't find anything wrong with it and all the horse crap. I went to pick her up Monday and asked them what else was done to it. Manager (again dealt with him) said that they re-tightened everything (again) and inflated the front tire to 38psi (their NEW standard). After that I pretty much got pissed and asked them how is it possible that one day the std pressure is 30psi's and the next day it's 38psi's? And what was I supposed to do with this wobble...it's a 2013 72 with 3100 miles and I can't go past 85. To what he replied: Well, we can't go past 70mph due to company policies, besides 85 is over the speed limit why would you ride it that fast. Which I replied: I have topped this bike out at 120mph with no issues and now you are telling me that I can't go 85mph because you can't figure out what is wrong with it?? And don't tell me what speed to ride my bike. Grabbed my keys and started gearing up. Before starting the bike I looked at him and told him "Good thing you don't sell super bikes for a living". and left.

Anyways.............my question is. Anyone has any experience with this? I have searched online and all I come up with is Big Twins, older bikes and high mileage bikes. Anything I should check? should I just contact Corporate?

This is driving me insane. It is still doing at 85mph.

I guess there goes my venting...

 

Slow down breh....jeezus.

 

I got a bad wobble at speed the other day. It stopped when I got below 55. Turned out to be a loose riser. I kept hearing a click when straightening my bars when I got ready to ride( about a week of this) but couldn't find anything loose or hitting. when the wobble started I was on a long ride and still couldn't find it. Then at a gas stop I notice the riser move. Bolts and washers weren't moving. But I got a good turn on them with a socket. The wobble it gone. Sorry for the long rant.

 

Could be a lot of things: spokes, neck bearings, wheel bearings, wheel runout, balance, wheel alignment, handlebar input, road input, etc.

Even superbikes and racebikes get speed wobbles due to a myriad of issues. Often, rider input is a huge issue. You gotta be gripping those apes pretty hard at 90mph.

The 72 isn't exactly a great candidate for superb stability at high speed, either. Weight biased rear, no downforce, ape hangers, poor aerodynamics (and poor rider position for speed), and a small front tire contact patch. There's a very good reason you see none of those on landspeed bikes or race bikes.

 

I have run at Bonneville and one of the items you are briefed on is to not chop the throttle at the end of the run , but to gradually come off the throttle. Chopping the throttle causes instant weight shift due to engine braking which can even get the rear wheel sliding (not advisable at 120+). Next time you make a power run gradually roll the throttle off and/or pull the clutch in and see if the wobble is still there.

just my 2 cents

Bwana

 

Agree with a previous poster - the 72 is not the best bike to go 85 mph and beyond for any length of time.

A colleague of mine has a 2012 model 72 - I'll ask him tomorrow if he's experienced anything similar.

I have a 2007 XL 1200R and it sits rock solid at any speed - but I also have a front fork brace fitted.

 

Two weeks after delivery on my 72 wobble when on decell . rear spokes were all loose.

 

warrenty fix, two days down and no prolem since. factory thing.

 

spokes or neck bearings

 

Rear wheel spokes. on the kick stand grab tha back tire. if it is loose you will know it.