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[Hound Dawg]

Hey All....

I've seen some posts on this very subject but they seem to pertain to the rider being buffeted by wind over the shorter windscreen.  I've noticed on my new Ultra a wind buffeting of the bike itself....unlike any other FLH I've owned with a bat wing fairing, including an '03 Ultra and an '07 Street Glide.  Once I'm above 65mph my bike gets all "squirrelly" up front.  It feels like when you running across a grated bridge.  Now it's not an unbalanced tire (very smooth) or a very loose steering head bearing.....it just feel like the wind is "buffeting" the bike much like it would my full face helmet when riding without a screen at all.  I plan to mention to my dealer when I take "Lucy" in for her 1000 miles service.....but this one feels like we will be chasing our tails getting them to diagnose this one. 

Could it be the new wheel?....the windscreen?....the lowers?....head bearing?   

I'm very perplexed as, again, this isn't my first ultra and my last one was rock solid at 80+ mph.  If this bike just handles this way....I'm VERY disappointed. 

Please  give me a cure.........otherwise I LOVE this bike.  I just can't live with not being able to make time on a highway from time to time.  After all it is an ultra for gosh sakes...

Thanx in advance,

HD

[rlede84178]

HD, looking forward to the responses you get as I'm in the same boat. Traded a 2010 Ultra Limited that was solid in all types of traffic and most road conditions, but the new 2012 SEUC feels as if it's always following a semi.  The slightest wind seems to upset the bike at any speed over 55.

[mlbraptor]

Mine does the same thing. I traded a 2011 Limited and it was rock solid at all speeds. My 2012 Ultra is much less stable in the same conditions..very disapointed in the handling of this bike.

[erniezap]

On my 12, it turned out to be neck bearings that were too tight.  Loosened them up a bit and much less buffeting

[planenut]

Yes please keep us up to date,have a 12 seuc and having the same issue,came off of a 09 seuc and that was rock solid and hade a great feel,the 12 just doesn't have that solid feel

  thanks
      jon

[Hound Dawg]

I've been looking all over for an explanation for this and found one post that mentioned that he thought it was the wind coming up from below and possibly buffeting from the tank area.....so it made me think to try removing the lower fairings.  I want to figure out what the issue is before I have the dealer start tearing into this bike without really knowing that the heck to do.  I road it without the lower fairings up to about a sustained 80mph....and it felt real solid.....but I was only at 80 between exits.  So I'm going to continue to ride for a week or so without the lowers and see if I can conclude if they are causing the issue.  Early indication suggest that it's now gone.  That conclusion sucks, however, since I prefer the look and the protection these lowers offer. 

If it comes down to having the look and the protection vs. being stable at 65+ mph....then I'll have to go without the lowers. 

Would love to keep this post alive until we can collectively come to a conclusion.

Thanx and cheers,

HD

[Cvostu]

I took my lowers off my 04 Seeg long ago.  Never any wind issues.  I have the new sesg and would take those lowers off, but there are speakers in them.  Living in s Florida, lowers are hardly ever needed anyway.  I'm thinking about the adjustable wind deflectors.  

[LoneCustom]

I have a 2010 CVO Ultra, and the handling has always been rock steady from day one.  I've ridden in moderate winds (25 mph) on the expressway and only a strong gust from the side will get the bike to move at all when riding.  Something on yours definitely sounds off-kilter.  Hope you can find the culprit...

[LovemyCVOgirl]

I took my lowers off my 04 Seeg long ago.  Never any wind issues.  I have the new sesg and would take those lowers off, but there are speakers in them.  Living in s Florida, lowers are hardly ever needed anyway.  I'm thinking about the adjustable wind deflectors.  

If you go with the adjustable wind deflectors Stu, keep me posted cause I'm interested in knowing how they work.
Thanks ~ Judy

[Cvostu]

Judy,   Still not sure if I'll go with the deflectors yet.  I hear they work some, but it's still gonna be there.  It's hot  here all the time and I am sure I'd have them wide open most of the time.  So would that really do anything? I would hate to take the lowers off, they have speakers in them  . Just kind of disappointed that we should have an issue like this one.  My 04 is perfect at any speed when it comes to wind.

[Midnight Rider]

None of this makes good sense, particularly those coming off '09 and later bikes (new frame).  A neck bearing that is too tight will cause a "weave" which sounds like what is happening.  Too loose causes a "wobble".  I would definitely have the dealer check the fall away on the neck bearings as my first course of action.  The Batwing bikes need a looser setting than do the Shark Nose (RG) bikes.

[Cvostu]

Terry,  the ne sg is very stable and steady.  I just want less wind.   At 85
I am fine heading down the road.    I just keep comparing the new bike with my 04.  I like sitting up higher and it handles very well without any mods to the front end.   I am looking at Traxion sometime too.  It's just windy at 70 or above.  Help me!!!    Somebody!     

[Hound Dawg]

Thanx "Midnight"......yes....a "weave" is exactly how I would describe what is happening with my bike.  It may make sense, also, that when I reduced my wind resistance by removing the lowers that the "weave"may be less pronounced due to less turbulence .  I will put the lowers back on and take it to the dealer to check the neck bearing.  Thanx for the tip...

For those that are experiencing the same thing.....keep us posted on your progress and solutions.

Cheers,

HD

[Hound Dawg]

I'm so relieved.  This has to be what I'm experiencing.  "The Weave" from a tight head bearing.  Thanx for pointing me (us) in the right direction "Midnight".  Gotta love these forums. 

I plan to put my lower fairings back on and get this addressed when I take Lucy in for her 1000 miles service.

Cheers,

HD


The M1246 bulliten refers to the adjustment of the steering head bearings. Harley issued a service bulletin (M-1246)

Purpose
A revised procedure has been identified for adjusting steering
head bearings on 2009 Touring model motorcycles.
Please note this change is unique to 2009 models only and
does not affect earlier model year vehicles.
Required Dealer Action
Inform service staff of this revised procedure and follow this
method when servicing these motorcycles. Replace section
1.21 STEERING HEAD BEARINGS. Place the included
pages into all 2009 Touring Models Service Manuals (Part
No. 99483-09) that are in use in dealer service departments
as well as unsold inventory.

1. See Figure 1-37. Turn handlebar to the right fork stop to
access grease fitting at the left side of the steering head.
2. Inject Special Purpose Grease, Part No. 99857-97 until
it exits from the top and bottom of the steering head.
1. Raise the motorcycle so the front and rear wheels are
lifted the same distance from the floor.
2. Verify that motorcycle is in stock configuration. Remove
all non-factory accessories, since they can influence
front end swing momentum (and lead to improper
adjustment).
3. See Figure 1-38. Turn the front wheel to the left fork stop
and then let go. The wheel should swing from side to
side, finally stopping in the swing specified in the table
shown below. If it stops in the lesser number swing, it
should be at or after the straight-forward position.
4. If the clutch cable or main harness appears to be influencing
swing momentum, proceed as follows and repeat
the previous step:
a. Clutch cable: Disconnect clutch cable from hand
lever. Release cable from P-clamp, remove from
inner fairing, or release from cable clip on instrument
nacelle depending on model. See 2.25
CLUTCH CABLE.
b. Main harness: Remove the rivet and P-clamp to
release main harness from steering head. Secure
P-clamp with a new rivet when procedure is complete.
NOTE
A steering head that is too tight can interfere with the
vehicle's ability to absorb a weave. A steering head that is
too loose can interfere with the vehicle's ability to absorb a
wobble.
5. To correct a swing pattern, see 1.21 STEERING HEAD
BEARINGS, Adjustment.
1. Disassemble motorcycle as follows:
a. FLHR/C: Remove headlamp nacelle. See 2.47
HEADLAMP NACELLE: FLHR/C.
b. FLHX, FLHT/C/U: Remove outer fairing and radio
or storage box as equipped. See 2.37 UPPER
FAIRING AND WINDSHIELD: FLHX, FLHT/C/U
and 7.33 ADVANCED AUDIO SYSTEM respectively.
c. FLTR: Remove instrument bezel. See 2.42
INSTRUMENT BEZEL: FLTR.
2. See Figure 1-39. Loosen pinch bolts (3) on lower fork
bracket.

3. Loosen the fork stem nut (1).
4. See Figure 1-40. Fashion a bearing adjuster tool using a
drill rod 1/4 in. (6.4 mm) in diameter and 16 in. (406.4
mm) long.
NOTES
● See Figure 1-39. Turning the bearing adjuster nut (2) as
little as one notch will make a noticeable difference in
the swing pattern.
● Tap forks with a rubber hammer while turning adjuster
nut to prevent forks from binding in lower bracket bores.
5. Turn bearing adjuster nut (2) as follows:
a. To decrease the number of swings, rotate nut clockwise.
b. To increase the number of swings, rotate nut counterclockwise.
NOTE
Original equipment fork stem nut has a blue dye coating. If a
replacement nut is being installed, the replacement nut will
not have the blue coating.
6. Tighten stem nut to 70-80 ft-lbs (94.9-108.4 Nm).
NOTE
Torque of the stem nut will affect the swing pattern.
7. Recheck the swing pattern and adjust as necessary.
8. Tighten pinch bolts to 53-57 ft-lbs (71.9-77.3 Nm).
9. Verify that the fork stem nut is tightened to 70-80 ft-lbs
(94.9-108.4 Nm).
10. Recheck the swing pattern and adjust if necessary.
11. Assemble motorcycle as follows:
a. FLHR/C: Install headlamp nacelle. See 2.47 HEADLAMP
NACELLE: FLHR/C.
b. FLHX, FLHT/C/U: Install radio or storage box (as
equipped) and outer fairing. See 2.37 UPPER FAIRING
AND WINDSHIELD: FLHX, FLHT/C/U and
7.33 ADVANCED AUDIO SYSTEM respectively.
c. FLTR: Install instrument bezel. See 2.42 INSTRUMENT
BEZEL: FLTR.
12. Install any accessories that were removed during the
checking procedure.

[Cvostu]

Well I have totally solved my wind problem.  I bought a set of fairing wind deflectors and that did it.  The wind is under control and I couldn't be happier with the ride and stability of the bike.  When I am residing adobe 60, they are closed and hardly any wind is an issue.  My radio is even sounding better due to less wind noise.  So that's it,,   What can I complain about next?