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[Dr.D]

This last weekend my buddy and I traded bikes for him to see the new vent in the fairing and I noticed his bike developed a bad and dangerous wobble above 85mph. We talked about at length and he said there was a time when the bike was new,2011 that the condition was not present. He has had the steering head bearings worked and a front wheel bearing replaced and there have only been small and temporary reprieves from the condition. I think he stated that the condition appeared for the first time after a tire change?

What does he need to have checked and fixed?

[grc]

It could easily be an improperly mounted tire, or a defective tire.  I had that same situation in the past after having new tires installed, except instead of a wobble I had a weave (rear end moves side to side).  If he wants to verify it's the tires and not anything else on the bike, one way to do that is to swap wheels and tires with another bike that doesn't have an issue.  Time consuming I know, but I doubt any shop is going to just assume the tire is defective and replace it.  And of course if both tires were changed, then they would still be guessing as to which one might be causing the problem.

I wish there was a simple and reliable way to test for this sort of thing, but if there is I'm not aware of it.

Jerry

[JCZ]

What year and model of bike does he have?

There are a number of different speculations on this issue.  The one that seems to make sense to me.....because it didn't do it at first but started a little later......is that the neck bearings aren't seated at the factory.

So while they check the fall away and all seems within spec and maybe it is a bit better for a brief period of time, then the bearings fall further into the seated position and the problem returns.....and will keep returning until the bearings are completely seated and then tightened to spec.

Others have different perspectives.   

[smkymtnboy]

my 2011 threw the wheel weight loose (while at speed) and wobbled really bad! had tire balanced and wheel weight installed. wobble cured! some have suggested dyna beads. I have not tried them. I think I would look at the steering neck bearing also!! maybe, a new tire it could be out of round?

[RedMoon]

This last weekend my buddy and I traded bikes for him to see the new vent in the fairing and I noticed his bike developed a bad and dangerous wobble above 85mph. We talked about at length and he said there was a time when the bike was new,2011 that the condition was not present. He has had the steering head bearings worked and a front wheel bearing replaced and there have only been small and temporary reprieves from the condition. I think he stated that the condition appeared for the first time after a tire change?

What does he need to have checked and fixed?

You need to balance your tyres.

[Mano]

I had this issue also. After having the steering head bearings properly adjusted and after changing the tires it went away BUT after 4 sets of tires I find that anything above 170 KM the bike still feels very unstable. I believe that the bat wing works like a peace of plywood. Saying that my buddy who has a 2012 Ultra with a Stage 4 kit can do 185 KM and his scoot is sable and just floats along with NO wobble.

I cannot verify this but I am starting to think that the 19 inch front rim and tire has something to do with knocking off the level of the bike at high speeds.

[03Lightningrocks]

Funny coincidence. I had my front tire replaced two weeks ago. Had it out on the highway for the first time since the new tire. 90-95 the front end starts wobbling. I had this bike to 110-120 many times before and never a wobble. Thanks for the input everyone... I plan to hit up the dealer on Thursday.

[Ridgerunr]

I've seen guys go to great lengths to cure the dreaded wobble. Often it can be as simple as a wheel bearing which it often is after not doing it before. You mentioned you replaced the front, how about the rear? I developed a wobble at high speeds and it turned out to be wheel bearing's. These sealed bearing's leave a lot to be desired IMO.

[cvo1717]

I also had the high speed wobble and i changed the back tire and used the dyna bead ,the wobble went away
I adjusted the neck bearings first but that did not help

[32Lager]

my 2011 threw the wheel weight loose (while at speed) and wobbled really bad! had tire balanced and wheel weight installed. wobble cured! some have suggested dyna beads. I have not tried them. I think I would look at the steering neck bearing also!! maybe, a new tire it could be out of round?

Same here... Without a thorough cleaning the wheel weights won't stick well on chrome. I had new tires installed in December and a few weeks ago, another guy re-balanced my front wheel. He said a half ounce was missing.

[ltank]

From my point of view the Bat Wing Fairings are not are dynamic.  My FXR4 has no high speed wobble. I gave had it over 120 several times on good roads or better bridges. I have a clamp on windshield. I have done over 100 with it no issues.  The 120 was sitting straight up with no windshield.  No wobble

[rheiner]

I have a low speed wobble I just noticed. It happens between 35-40 mph. Anyone else experience this type and is the underlying cause generally the same as a high speed wobble?

[ltank]

Low speed wobble. Is that with or without hands on the handlebars? Bike geometry, Weight distribution, rake, fork length comes into play when at low speed riding without hands.

[plustiano]

I have a low speed wobble I just noticed. It happens between 35-40 mph. Anyone else experience this type and is the underlying cause generally the same as a high speed wobble?

Had the same issue on my bike. Ended up being a bad front tire. Bike was new! road it for awhile SM said should be safe until my appointment and what a big difference in feel after the replacement. SM first told me it might be the bearing or wheel weight came off. Anyways, he told me front tire had a lump on it and replaced under warranty of course.

[BDMastiff]

My bike has always felt unstable at 100+MPH.  I wouldn't call it a wobble but it feels as if the front end is too light and it gives the sensation that the front wheel is lifting off the ground; especially if there's a curve in the road.