I will say that there is what "seems" like a small bit of wobble in my '14 on some sweepers. I put seems in quotes, because that can also be attributed to the road possibly not being glass smooth.


However, my last bike was a Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad (the wanna be road king), and that thing would wobble so bad it would make your *** pucker like an alter boy in a Catholic church.

 

not to hijack the thread but I have a question. what are the characteristics of the wobble? I have an 08 r.k. and don't really feel any shimmys or shakes. bike seems to wander some when I am on the interstate at about 70/75 mph. tks

 

I'm just curious about how stiff you had the shocks set. That can make a huge difference in the feel of a turn. It really does suck though that you spent your coin on a bike and now have to dump a lot more into it. That really is part of owning a harley though. They are great reliable bikes and the most popular bike for touring, but the can be hard on the wallet. Hope you can pick up the tru-trac soon and that it gets you fixed up. Doing the wrenching yourself is always a good way to save a few bucks and lets you know your bike a little better too. And there are always lots of great deals on parts if you take your time and look around online, or talk to some of the sponsors and venders on here...

 

OP Ask your friend with the RK if you can ride his bike to get a comparison between the two, or go to the dealeship and "test ride" another one.

 

It is NOT a straight line instability. It is a cornering thing. Usually when you load the suspension in a turn and then encounter a bump or a road irregularity. It feels like the rear end is oscillating, like the back end is trying to pass you up, then it isn't, then it is, then it isn't, sort of a hula dance and all the while taking you to the outside of the turn.

If you are experiencing a straight line instability, its tires or alignment usually.

A rubber mounted engine/trans/swingarm will ALWAYS flex some , no matter the year.

 

I had some wobble/vibration on my new 13 RKC and after a lot of trouble shooting they replaced my tires with about 3k on them and problem solved. No more wobble or vibration. Mine rides great now and feels solid in the corners.

 

So what happens in another 3 thousand miles? More new tires?

 

Well I sat there and waited while they went through the bike again. It is only a month old to me. They checked Tires, Shock air pressure, fall away, and spokes. Then I was there when they took off to go ride the area I talked about which is actually really close to dealership. Yes, it was a Harley Dealer, not Corporate. There is no weight on bike and I have tried with windshield on and off. I am a car/truck mechanic and I have no doubt it is because of the rear not being locked in and riding on rubber mounts.
I didn't make my girl eat carp and throw up but I know these sites get soooo touchy if you cuss and I am a cussing fool.. Hard for me to even describe the problem without cussing some. so I said Carp.. ha. 11 years in the Army will make you cuss in a prayer.

 

Sounds wore out. Motor mounts and swingarm stuff needs to looked at and replaced. Alignment too. Of course if its wore out the alignment isn't gonna be any good once you start riding it anyways.

 

I have had a CR 500 Honda Dirt bike that I flew down pavement roads on knobby tires to get to the dirt at about 80mph and they are supposed to get head shake. I have had 2 sportsters, Both solid mount and I have had 3 softails now, one being a springer and I have NEVER felt this before. I have always considered that Harleys were over paid for/under engineered bikes especially when you consider a Ducati Diavel with 162 Horsepower. But the one thing I am kicking myself for is not doing any research on the bike before I bought it and that I didn't just get another Softail. I was happy as can be with my 09 Fatboy. I consider that to be the best riding bike I have had yet. I know a lot wont agree but the best ride I was ever on was on that bike.