Touring Bike Wobble

Hoople · Nov 9th, 2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoggy25

I get a barely perceived wobble at low speed (under 20 or so) upon deceleration. Nothing at any higher speed. Steering head tighteness seems to be within specs. Bothers me a little but nothing too serious.

Deceleration by which method. Using the engine w/downshifting, rear brake, front brake or combo. I would guess one way has to be worse than others.

hoggy25 · Nov 29th, 2009, 09:35 PM

Sorry for taking so long to answer. Just forgot about this thread. Hands loosely on bars or off bars and coasting in gear but not lugging engine.

walleye · Nov 29th, 2009, 09:40 PM

My 09 Ultra did the same thing until they replaced the front tire. The D407F tire developed a wobble under conditions as you describe. The new D408 tire does not do it on my bike.

hoggy25 · Nov 29th, 2009, 11:17 PM

Mine came with the 408F so I doubt they'll admit it's the tire although I suspect it is. If it had come with the 407 they'd have no choice but to replace it. Tire pressure is 36 front and 40 rear. It's really not that bad and I have 8300 miles on the bike since I bought it new in July.

bjryman · Nov 30th, 2009, 05:35 AM

24,000 miles on my 08 Ultra without any wobble in all kinds of driving terrain.

Have to say though, I'm getting way too old to consider above 80 mph riding so if the discussion revolves around those kinds of speeds....not something the average rider would ever encounter

wagsrk08 · Nov 30th, 2009, 06:38 AM

I've never experienced the weave or wobble. Like glider said not saying it doesn't happen. Here is a article taken from American Rider Magazine concerning this issue:

Weave and Wobble: How to avoid them and deal with them

45fish · Dec 14th, 2009, 01:01 AM

I have had both wobbles on my 01 ultra Low speed was from front tire weak side wall very noticeable when riding with no hands the other at speeds over 70 mph on long sweepers and hit a bit of a dip sets up steering in swing arm scary but as mentioned earlier loosen grip on bars (touring bikes only) and bike straightened itself out my experiences anyway

Delmar · Dec 14th, 2009, 09:37 AM

Noteworthy quote from the Weave and Wobble Article:

"I have never examined a weaving or wobbling stock Harley-Davidson motorcycle that did not have a fault. Most were maintenance or wear related. A few developed weaves from being loaded improperly. "

This may explain by some bikes wobble and some don't.

Redman · Dec 19th, 2009, 11:46 AM

No wobble here...just a great ride from 1 mph to 120....I try to take most turns somewhere in between but still rock solid....except for when I hit the darn gravel.

:

trickydoc · Dec 19th, 2009, 01:16 PM

On my second ultra and never had any wobble. One had cast wheels the other spokes.

Nov 29th, 2009, 09:35 PM	#32
hoggy25 Warming The Wheels Ride: 2009 Ultra Classic Join Date: Jul 1st, 2009 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 110	Re: Touring Bike Wobble Sorry for taking so long to answer. Just forgot about this thread. Hands loosely on bars or off bars and coasting in gear but not lugging engine.

Nov 29th, 2009, 09:40 PM	#33
walleye Contributor$ Ride: 2009 Ultra Classic Join Date: Jan 25th, 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 736 My Mood:	Re: Touring Bike Wobble My 09 Ultra did the same thing until they replaced the front tire. The D407F tire developed a wobble under conditions as you describe. The new D408 tire does not do it on my bike. __________________ Sooner or later, you'll own an Ultra. Where ever you go....there you are.

Nov 29th, 2009, 11:17 PM	#34
hoggy25 Warming The Wheels Ride: 2009 Ultra Classic Join Date: Jul 1st, 2009 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 110	Re: Touring Bike Wobble Mine came with the 408F so I doubt they'll admit it's the tire although I suspect it is. If it had come with the 407 they'd have no choice but to replace it. Tire pressure is 36 front and 40 rear. It's really not that bad and I have 8300 miles on the bike since I bought it new in July.

Nov 30th, 2009, 05:35 AM	#35
bjryman Warming The Wheels Ride: 2008 105th Annv. Ultra Glide Join Date: Feb 15th, 2008 Location: Greenwood, Indiana Posts: 83	Re: Touring Bike Wobble 24,000 miles on my 08 Ultra without any wobble in all kinds of driving terrain. Have to say though, I'm getting way too old to consider above 80 mph riding so if the discussion revolves around those kinds of speeds....not something the average rider would ever encounter __________________ Attitude + Perseverance = Success!!

Nov 30th, 2009, 06:38 AM	#36
wagsrk08 Warming The Wheels Ride: 2008 FLHR w/ABS Join Date: May 24th, 2009 Location: Port Clinton, Ohio Posts: 99 My Mood:	Re: Touring Bike Wobble I've never experienced the weave or wobble. Like glider said not saying it doesn't happen. Here is a article taken from American Rider Magazine concerning this issue: Weave and Wobble: How to avoid them and deal with them __________________ 2008 FLHR Vivid Black ABS Brakes, Cruise Control SERT, SE A/C, V&H Oval Slip-On's

Dec 14th, 2009, 01:01 AM	#37
45fish New Family Ride: 2010 ultra limited Join Date: Dec 13th, 2009 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 8 My Mood:	Re: Touring Bike Wobble I have had both wobbles on my 01 ultra Low speed was from front tire weak side wall very noticeable when riding with no hands the other at speeds over 70 mph on long sweepers and hit a bit of a dip sets up steering in swing arm scary but as mentioned earlier loosen grip on bars (touring bikes only) and bike straightened itself out my experiences anyway

Dec 14th, 2009, 09:37 AM	#38
Delmar Contributor$ Ride: 2001 Road King Police FLHPI Join Date: Oct 3rd, 2007 Location: Magnolia Texas Posts: 176	Re: Touring Bike Wobble Noteworthy quote from the Weave and Wobble Article: "I have never examined a weaving or wobbling stock Harley-Davidson motorcycle that did not have a fault. Most were maintenance or wear related. A few developed weaves from being loaded improperly. " This may explain by some bikes wobble and some don't.

Dec 19th, 2009, 11:46 AM	#39
Redman Play The Throttle Ride: 09 Street glide/ flhx Join Date: Feb 13th, 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 224 My Mood:	Re: Touring Bike Wobble No wobble here...just a great ride from 1 mph to 120....I try to take most turns somewhere in between but still rock solid....except for when I hit the darn gravel.:

Dec 19th, 2009, 01:16 PM	#40
trickydoc Warming The Wheels Ride: 01 Ultra Join Date: Aug 2nd, 2009 Location: NorthEast Alabama Posts: 85 My Mood:	Re: Touring Bike Wobble On my second ultra and never had any wobble. One had cast wheels the other spokes.

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