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[yellow103]

Through the years I have heard about the so called death wobble. Well I am here to tell you it is for real.  Decided to air out the CVO two days ago, on a straight stretch, went through the gears pretty tight, when I hit 5th gear all of sudden I thought I was on a wild bull, the whole bike begin to wobble back and forth with such force, it was moving me around on the seat. I held on to the grips as tight as I could, let off the throttle, coasted for a short distance, and it came back under control. I pulled over checked everything on the bike. I was sure something had to be broken. Found nothing. Don't have much faith in the true track kit I had installed on the bike a few years back. First time this has ever happened. I have gone through the gears pretty quick more than once and never had this happen.

[donald p]

Same thing happened to me, found out the back tire was not balanced.I have not gone over 100MPH since.

[CVOSE]

It may seem an odd thing to do to you but holding the grips tighter makes the wobbling worse.
Next time when you experience a early wobble, try to relax and loosen your grip on the handlebar. You will notice that the wobble disappears.

It works on my SERK 07.

Good luck

[efrbc1]

Had similar issues with my SEEG although not as bad.  I went with the Glide Pro system which helped a lot.  Check out their website for how they to an alignment.  Mine was way off and just re-aligning the motorcycle made a difference.  My original swingarm bushings were pretty worn at 25K so anything probably would have helped but almost 20K later it's still pretty stable.  Funny thing is my '03 RK (65K) is like riding on a rail - and all stock.

Chris

[yellow103]

May have to check out the Glide pro, hate to change systems though. I have had the True Track on it since new. Never had this issue before. Making an appointment with my Indy shop to check bushings. Only have 35m on the bike. Just put her up on the rack, and checked to be sure rear wheel weights didn't come off. All well there. Guess I'll wait and see what comes out of the bushing check up.

[Mano]

Oh ya.....just like you explained it Yellow 103 only I was in 6th gear and a wild bull would have been more tame. I wish my buddy riding behind me had his Go Pro on but he did not. My buddy still talks about it since he seen it all.

An angel  was riding with me that day which was on my way to Sturgis last year.

[RayG]

We all know it's real, I had had a similar experience on my 08 SERK when it was fairly new.  I did the opposite and held the tank firmly with my legs and accelerated while loosening my grip on the bars.  I don't know which method is correct but what ever gets us out of the situation.  I later installed the True Track along with the AK-20"s and Bitubo's.  I'm a firm believer in the front end being the cause of some of the incidents especially if doing a down hill sweeper of some kind.  If the front ends sags or the bearing needs adjustment it could be a part of the solution.  Checking motor mounts and firming up the swingarm with the Glide Pro seems to work well with the older bikes.  I had to go over everything to get the confidence to try to duplicate the shakes, I  guess I'm one of the lucky ones as it has never even given the slightest hint of a wobble.  Hope you solve your problem.

[dlaws01]

I'm thinking it should be called the "Harley 'scare the chit out of ya' wobble" as this seems to happen much more often than the "death".   

[donald p]

DEATH WOBBLE like yellow 103 said, at over 100 MPH all you do is hang on as tight as possible.............

[Hog95023]

Took a sweeping turn today at 90 mph. All was good through the apex except when my right floor board scraped pavement and the wobble started pretty heavily. Wasn't any way I could hold my lane. Luckily I was nearly on the fog line when this started. Let off the throttle and loosened up on the grip got things under control pretty quick.

Glad things worked out for you.

[cahdbiker]

Hi everyone, I have had my 09 over 100MPH several times while passing 30 ft 5th wheels doing 85MPH and have not had any wobble at all. My 95 Heritage would get a little wobble at 100, but not anything enough to scare me. Maybe some of the more mechanical guys could chime in. So many different things could cause the wobble, out of balance tires, steering head bearing issues, swing arm issues, front or rear wheel that is not true, wrong air pressure etc.CAHDBIKER

[twoasone]

Don't know if this is the total issue but, I have a buddy with a shop and he has had many come to him with this problem. Check your steering bearing, most people never service this. He has had MANY that are totally dry and has put around 20-30 pumps of grease in them to just get the grease to come out of the bearing. This has helped according to the owners of the bikes. I check mine 3-4 times a season. Not saying this is the problem but seems to help. I have been @ 100 plus and never had this issue. I do realize every bike is different, that bearing needs the proper torque and grease. Ride Hard.

[2k]

Have had my '09 to 115 (on the speedo) several times. Have a 21" spooked front and on a rail, never the slightest shudder.

[efrbc1]

'09 and newer have the new frames.  Much more stable than the older ones.  All of us with the "older" bikes have learned to deal with this problem over the years.

Chris

[red ben59]

I know your bike has cast wheels. But i have seen loose spokes cause the wooble. Lots of different things can cause it, get it checked by a top notch wrench. 

[donald p]

The real issue here is not what kind of cycle or what caused it. It is that when the wobble happens you hang on tight. NOT a loose grip on your bars or it will be DEATH.

[Mano]

The real issue here is not what kind of cycle or what caused it. It is that when the wobble happens you hang on tight. NOT a loose grip on your bars or it will be DEATH.

X2.

[CVOSE]

Out of my own experience, and learned at advanced motor training, tight holding your grips increases the wobble.

If you loosens your grip and press your legs against the tank the wobble disappears.

The wobble is often started by the wind pressure on your shoulders. thats why you should relax and loosen your grip.

[dlaws01]

Out of my own experience, and learned at advanced motor training, tight holding your grips increases the wobble.

If you loosens your grip and press your legs against the tank the wobble disappears.

The wobble is often started by the wind pressure on your shoulders. thats why you should relax and loosen your grip.

Also, I would add, is to close your eyes.

[yellow103]

I can't speak for others experience with this so called wobble, but I do know what I experienced, had I relaxed my grip on the bars, I know without doubt I would have been kissing pavement. As for squeezing my legs against the tank, I think there may be dents where my knees pressed into the sides of the tank. Hope to never experience that ever again.

[Coyote.]

Have you guys with wobble just tried tightening up the neck bearing? I find I have to do that with every bike as they are loose from the factory. I don't mess with the fall away test but just tighten them a couple of teeth and it's amazing how much better the bikes handle.

[lowflight]

I rented an Ultra RG at one point to check out how I liked the ride, never considered that I would buy one but thought due diligence would be to give a ride. At one point after some miles I took my hands off the bars and the wobble started and increased in frequency, every time I completely relaxed my grip the wobble would start again. When I took the bike back and informed them of the problem and that it needed to be fixed before someone was seriously hurt the dip sh-t at the rentals says "well your suppose to hang on tight, that would be what anybody would do and then you wouldn't have that problem". Besides his total lack of anything close to being human I suspected that that particular bike had head bearing toque or bearing issues.

[05Train]

I rented an Ultra RG at one point to check out how I liked the ride, never considered that I would buy one but thought due diligence would be to give a ride. At one point after some miles I took my hands off the bars and the wobble started and increased in frequency, every time I completely relaxed my grip the wobble would start again. When I took the bike back and informed them of the problem and that it needed to be fixed before someone was seriously hurt the dip sh-t at the rentals says "well your suppose to hang on tight, that would be what anybody would do and then you wouldn't have that problem". Besides his total lack of anything close to being human I suspected that that particular bike had head bearing toque or bearing issues.

I've ridden 5 different Road Glides, and they've all done this...Some worse than others.

[Mano]

I can't speak for others experience with this so called wobble, but I do know what I experienced, had I relaxed my grip on the bars, I know without doubt I would have been kissing pavement. As for squeezing my legs against the tank, I think there may be dents where my knees pressed into the sides of the tank. Hope to never experience that ever again.

X2.

Yellow103, you have explained it exactly how it has happened to me too.

This is not your normal wobble. This is worst than anything that I can explain. Call it a wild bull, bucking horse or anything like that. It took what ever I had to stay on the bike. The only thing that kept me on the bike was strength and a whole lot of luck. 36 years of riding experience I never felt nothing like that.

[davidw221]

The Harley wobble is an old problem, that's the reason, Harley changed their frames back in 09.
They were sued by many, including one high profile case in North Carolina, where a Police officer was killed on the Interstate trying to stop a speeding car. Instead of having a trial Harley paid the family off.
There have been several Class action law suits with this issue, Harley will not have a recall, they have hundreds of lawyers protecting them.
If you all want more information on this subject just Google, Harley wobble lawsuit, or Harley Death wobble lawsuit, you will get plenty of documented information on this issue, including court records.
I had an 02 bagger, spent money on the Bagger Brace, it  really helped.
I have a friend who is now 50 at a nursing home, has been there for 10 years now from a single vehicle motorcycle crash do to the Harley Wobble.
Please don't play around with this subject, Modify your bikes today with a motor brace, any brand, just do it.

[Rooster]

Sorry the new frame didn't make the wobble dissapear as I have read several cases on previous threads here. Seems most of time it is the neck needing grease or adjustment. It just seems that some have it and some don't no matter what year the bike is. I have been lucky so far none of my bikes have had it. Although I once had a front tire blow on me going downhill so that wobble and tank slapper was enough for me.

[Doubletap]

Though I've never experienced the wobble on my SEEG I have experienced something very similar on a Norton 750 many years ago. Scared the hell out of me but I managed to hold on. Being a bit of a dumba** every now and then, I've had this bike up to 120 a few times and over 100 several times with no problems. Scares me to think what might happen at that speed with a full on wobble. 

[05Train]

Sorry the new frame didn't make the wobble dissapear as I have read several cases on previous threads here. Seems most of time it is the neck needing grease or adjustment. It just seems that some have it and some don't no matter what year the bike is. I have been lucky so far none of my bikes have had it. Although I once had a front tire blow on me going downhill so that wobble and tank slapper was enough for me.

The new frame is better, but the underlying problem is still there.  The swing arm mounts to the transmission, which mounts to the engine, that's located by rubber engine mounts, and not enough of them.  Sportsters have the extra mount as Eric Buell intended, and they don't have the problem.  Tire pressure, tire wear, load, alignment, and steering head adjustment can all wreak havoc with handling as well, but the primary cause of the wobble is a lack of proper engine mounting.

[andpopse]

You should be gripping tank with knees and locking feet against pegs, and you should have a relaxed grip on the bars, period !.   This is the technique taught at california superbike school.   You should also countersteer positively into every corner and gradually apply throttle from apex.   This is how to ride a motor properly.    And yes it applies to all motorcycles.
However when riding cruisers etc. and not 'pressing on' then you can get away with 'lazy riding'.   I have spoken to lots of riders who have not even heard of countersteering which i find unbelieveable.

With a wobble from the front, rolling off the throttle will transfer weight to the very end of the bike with the problem.

I would reccommend that every motorcycle (not just sportbikes) rider reads 'twist of the wrist 2' by keith code.   This book will save your life.

I am not intending to start a debate, if you disagree then, just read the book and then disagree.  It's been proven over many years and Thousands of miles by Thousands of riders.

Andy P

[FLTRI]

You should be gripping tank with knees and locking feet against pegs, and you should have a relaxed grip on the bars, period !.   This is the technique taught at california superbike school.   You should also countersteer positively into every corner and gradually apply throttle from apex.   This is how to ride a motor properly.    And yes it applies to all motorcycles.
However when riding cruisers etc. and not 'pressing on' then you can get away with 'lazy riding'.   I have spoken to lots of riders who have not even heard of countersteering which i find unbelieveable.

With a wobble from the front, rolling off the throttle will transfer weight to the very end of the bike with the problem.

I would reccommend that every motorcycle (not just sportbikes) rider reads 'twist of the wrist 2' by keith code.   This book will save your life.

I am not intending to start a debate, if you disagree then, just read the book and then disagree.  It's been proven over many years and Thousands of miles by Thousands of riders.

Andy P

Andy,
Keith Code is a great guy and really knows how to teach riders how to do it right.
Street bikers usually find out they are clueless as to what to do about the time they really need the knowledge...too late.
I worked with Cal Superbike when we had an all Harley school @ Sonoma Raceway (Sears Point to the hard core).
There were 100+ riders and most all of them were clueless..with very little experience in emergency maneuvers.
Best money spent is in a high performance riding school...it WILL save your life!
Bob

[CVOSE]

You should be gripping tank with knees and locking feet against pegs, and you should have a relaxed grip on the bars, period !.   This is the technique taught at california superbike school.   You should also countersteer positively into every corner and gradually apply throttle from apex.   This is how to ride a motor properly.    And yes it applies to all motorcycles.
However when riding cruisers etc. and not 'pressing on' then you can get away with 'lazy riding'.   I have spoken to lots of riders who have not even heard of countersteering which i find unbelieveable.

With a wobble from the front, rolling off the throttle will transfer weight to the very end of the bike with the problem.

I would reccommend that every motorcycle (not just sportbikes) rider reads 'twist of the wrist 2' by keith code.   This book will save your life.

I am not intending to start a debate, if you disagree then, just read the book and then disagree.  It's been proven over many years and Thousands of miles by Thousands of riders.

Andy P

Totally agree, it's the only way to save your life.

[mcflyer]

IMHO the new frames in 09 only masked the handing concerns of ridin into a corner too fast and getting the feeling that there was a hinge in the middle of the frame.  The straight line wobble is more a result of wheel alignment or worn components in the swing arm bushings, steering head bearings or shock and fork issues.
All of my late model tourers prior to 09 have felt like the frame turned to jelly when pushing into a corner too fast. Most but not all RG's I hve ridden in the past 10years have ha some form of handle bar oscillation at 40 mph with yur hands off the bars. I have had riders spend thousands to resolve it with out much success. If you keep your hands on the bars there is nothing wrong.
PS. Its not just Harleys that do this there are many other brands that do it too........Gold wings come immediately to mind even with their million dollar aluminum frames so the frame is most likey not the issue.

[FLTRI]

FWIW, ALL 2 wheels vehicles with front and rear suspension are subject to instability given the right circumstances.
GP bike teams have virtually unlimited resources to develop bikes that don't get unstable.
Yet...GP bikes do wobble and will pitch the rider off the bike.
Everything done to quell wobble is a bandaid because there is no solution when there are 2 gyroscopes independently moving up and down with a hinge (steering head) used to force them to change direction.
Just the physics of it.
What I tell folks is if their <09 bike was stable and over time, became unstable, there is something worn out and can be fixed.
However if the bike wobbled (unstable) from the day it was ridden off the showroom floor it's prolly the frame.
Gyros are operating out of sync with themselves and moving in different directions up and down causing instability.

Bob

[CVO2FIXUP]

 A good friend of mine was touring on his 03 RG and started to get a funny feeling in the handling department partly through his trip. After he came back home ( thousands of mikes later ) started to detail his bike and discovered a CRACK in his swing arm. On the left side, in front of the axle at the very rear. Clean through!! We could not believe it stayed together for so long with a two up, loaded bike. Check it out on yours!!!

[Monolyth]

I have the 2012 CVO Street Glide and I find I hit the death wobble on the straight road above 120+ very often.  Since the speedo caps at 120, a friend riding beside me on his street bike clocked us at 137 when I hit the speed wobbles this last time.  I tend to do 100-105 daily to work commuting and generally don't see the wobble unless I break 115-120+ which is generally only weekends.

Had the bike serviced at two places they could not find anything wrong. I just think it's not designed to do 130+.

Monolyth

[smiley1049]

Seattle Traffic ?

[skratch]

I just think it's not designed to do 130+.

ya think? 

[blacktop]

I just think it's not designed to do 130+.

My guess....you are correct on that one.

[Ironhorse]

A good friend of mine was touring on his 03 RG and started to get a funny feeling in the handling department partly through his trip. After he came back home ( thousands of mikes later ) started to detail his bike and discovered a CRACK in his swing arm. On the left side, in front of the axle at the very rear. Clean through!! We could not believe it stayed together for so long with a two up, loaded bike. Check it out on yours!!!

On an 03 wow! I know that was an issue with the older style swing arms on the pre 02 bikes. I hope he took photos.

[Bald Eagle]

Whats the procedure for checking and greasing your steering bearing?  Do you have to remove the fairing.
I have a 07 CVO