Severe wobble today at 75mph on my 2011 ultra.
#41
11-17-2011, 07:38 AM
Club Member
I pack ride a lot, with guys who know how to ride, and when watching the rear tire of the guy in front of me at high speed (with the newer Harleys) I can see the rear tire dancing around more than what I consider normal while the body of the bike doesn't seem to move at all. My thinking is there is something screwy going on since they hard bolted the transmission and motor together. When I mention it to the rider they say they don't feel anything. Are they too isolated from their tires? Is it they don't feel a problem until it's too late to prevent it?
I spent a lot of money to get rid of movement of the body of my bike! Mrs B especially loves the ride now and we can travel further and in greater comfort than ever before. And yes, I can better feel now just what my wheels are up to.
Watch the scenery instead of your mates' tyres!
#42
11-17-2011, 07:38 AM
I have had my tires get low several times over the 45 years Ive been ridding, and you can tell when they are because the bike will feel loose, however I have never experienced any sort of serious wobble like was described here. Before to much advise is given about tire pressure,the owner of this bike needs to have it thoroughly checked out by the factory reps. What has been described here is a serious life threating situtation.
#43
11-17-2011, 07:41 AM
Road Warrior
Wrong! Gripping too tight CAN cause wobble. One of the reasons we grip tight is the tension that builds up at high speeds, caused by increased noise. A simple and cheap way of curing it is to wear ear plugs. This was covered in depth in late 1970s US bike mags, but seems to have been forgotten since then.
#44
11-17-2011, 07:59 AM
Tourer
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OK, you've got my attention. Looking forward to the report.
Al
#46
11-17-2011, 08:16 AM
Well, in an attempt to dial this down a little, the truth is all two wheel bikes can wobble for different reasons. Your Harley can for various reasons. Yes the new frame helped but new bikes can still wobble. Tire pressure, fall away, bearings, frame to motor mounts, suspension, load, etc.... Try to check em all if you are having a problem and start with the simple stuff first. Good luck and I hope you get back on the road without a problem soon. Peace...
#47
11-20-2011, 10:45 PM
Cruiser
If not mentioned, Check out the HD videos from http://www.true-track.com. (a forum sponsor.)
Good to read some have installed true track stabilizers with good results. I have not had any wobble but sure get tracking mentioned in the video.
Looking forward to learn what you find out.
Good to read some have installed true track stabilizers with good results. I have not had any wobble but sure get tracking mentioned in the video.
Looking forward to learn what you find out.
#48
11-20-2011, 10:45 PM
Cruiser
If not mentioned, Check out the HD videos from http://www.true-track.com. (a forum sponsor.)
Good to read some have installed true track stabilizers with good results. I have not had any wobble but sure get tracking mentioned in the video.
Looking forward to learn what you find out.
Good to read some have installed true track stabilizers with good results. I have not had any wobble but sure get tracking mentioned in the video.
Looking forward to learn what you find out.
#49
11-20-2011, 11:25 PM
Modern tires running higher pressures has more to do with tire longevity than anything else. I've been on hardtails most of my life and currently run my Metzlers way below what's recommended. My rear is at 22 lbs and my front at 25 lbs. Of course they start cupping a lot sooner but I just consider that the hardtail tax. But in no way do they induce wobbles. (And yes, heavier bikes need higher tire pressures.)
Any bike can experience a tank slapper for any number of reasons and you even see it on race tracks. And it can also be rider induced. But there's been enough of this incidents reported on Harleys over time that there might be something to it. Which granted is hard to believe as the MoCo has been building frames for a hundred years so you'd think they'd have it figured out.
I pack ride a lot, with guys who know how to ride, and when watching the rear tire of the guy in front of me at high speed (with the newer Harleys) I can see the rear tire dancing around more than what I consider normal while the body of the bike doesn't seem to move at all. My thinking is there is something screwy going on since they hard bolted the transmission and motor together. When I mention it to the rider they say they don't feel anything. Are they too isolated from their tires? Is it they don't feel a problem until it's too late to prevent it?
We like to think Harley runs all major frame changes passed the motorcycle slide rule boys, but are there really any motorcycle slide rule boys? I think it's more based on passed experience but with the current configuration there is no long term passed experience. So they went with field experience. And yes the OP may have been too quick to mention the "sue" word, but the other side of the coin is many here sound too much like Harley apologists or maybe they are just trying too hard defend their purchases. Here's some news. The Moco can and does screw up, and sometimes they do it royally, lol!
Any bike can experience a tank slapper for any number of reasons and you even see it on race tracks. And it can also be rider induced. But there's been enough of this incidents reported on Harleys over time that there might be something to it. Which granted is hard to believe as the MoCo has been building frames for a hundred years so you'd think they'd have it figured out.
I pack ride a lot, with guys who know how to ride, and when watching the rear tire of the guy in front of me at high speed (with the newer Harleys) I can see the rear tire dancing around more than what I consider normal while the body of the bike doesn't seem to move at all. My thinking is there is something screwy going on since they hard bolted the transmission and motor together. When I mention it to the rider they say they don't feel anything. Are they too isolated from their tires? Is it they don't feel a problem until it's too late to prevent it?
We like to think Harley runs all major frame changes passed the motorcycle slide rule boys, but are there really any motorcycle slide rule boys? I think it's more based on passed experience but with the current configuration there is no long term passed experience. So they went with field experience. And yes the OP may have been too quick to mention the "sue" word, but the other side of the coin is many here sound too much like Harley apologists or maybe they are just trying too hard defend their purchases. Here's some news. The Moco can and does screw up, and sometimes they do it royally, lol!
EDIT: This happened before I installed my Ohlins shocks, but I don't know if they would have prevented what I experienced, possible I guess.
Last edited by JIMSFBL; 11-20-2011 at 11:33 PM.
#50
11-21-2011, 07:22 AM
Road Warrior