I am not picking on Harleys, but I want you to be smart and safe---Heads up!!!
Some Harley motorcycles plagued by 'Death Wobble' - CBS 5 - KPHO Play the video. It won't be there long...
http://www.kpho.com/story/14896060/some ... -5-16-2011
Harley "Warble" ???
Re: Harley "Warble" ???
I dunno about those claims of "spontaneous" tank slappers. Never had that on a Harley but did on one Suzuki.
HOWEVER pre-09 Touring models (like my 05 Road King) DO tend to "wobble" a bit in curves if you take the curve too hard! It's because of inherent flex in a frame that had become, how shall we say, a bit long in the tooth when Harley finally redesigned it for 2009. You get used to this "undocumented feature." A sport bike it ain't. Most I've talked to who own 09's/later say this is not a problem in the new-frame Touring models.
Just a heads up for those who might be considering one.
HOWEVER pre-09 Touring models (like my 05 Road King) DO tend to "wobble" a bit in curves if you take the curve too hard! It's because of inherent flex in a frame that had become, how shall we say, a bit long in the tooth when Harley finally redesigned it for 2009. You get used to this "undocumented feature." A sport bike it ain't. Most I've talked to who own 09's/later say this is not a problem in the new-frame Touring models.
Just a heads up for those who might be considering one.
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Parkville Rider
- Posts: 624
- Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:00 am
- Location: Parkville, MO
Re: Harley "Warble" ???
"It is not actually flex in the frame. It is the rubber mounts in between the frame in the engine. The 3 point rubber mount system has been used by Harley since 1980. This really did not become a problem until they started going to the larger motors. A spontaneous tank slapper would be a new one, but if that did happen that could be caused by a loose steering head bearings adjustment" according to my step-son who is a PHD HD Instructor at MMI in Phoenix. If he shares any more HD wisdom, I'll pass it along but he claims the newer models do not have this instability in corners. 
Gary D.
a.k.a. Romeo Map Genie
Parkville MO
a.k.a. Romeo Map Genie
Parkville MO
Re: Harley "Warble" ???
Thanks for the info. Guess you have to be a PHD to understand the technicalities...I always thought the rubber thingies were supposed to flex 
What we're talking about is not dangerous though, except maybe for riders who push their bike to 10/10ths in sweepers. Most of them ride crotch rockets not FL's. It's kinda like the wiggle going across one of those steel grate bridges, which scares the bejeezus out of some riders but is harmless unless they have a heart attack
What we're talking about is not dangerous though, except maybe for riders who push their bike to 10/10ths in sweepers. Most of them ride crotch rockets not FL's. It's kinda like the wiggle going across one of those steel grate bridges, which scares the bejeezus out of some riders but is harmless unless they have a heart attack
Re: Harley "Warble" ???
I disagree with the rubber mount theory. My '03 Heritage (rigid mount motor) would flex in corners and sometimes give a little wobble going straight. The going straight wobble appeared to be a slight out of alignment of the rear wheel. Since the belt is seldom if ever tightened, if the factory has it off a little it just stays off.
The flex in corners was amplified carrying double. It would actually appear that the fork sliders were not working together. Although I am sure that is not true it did seem that way and on some curves the bike would have a little wiggle to it. Uneven road surface would seem to start or amplify the condition. It never felt out of control, just a little unsettling.
When I first got the '03 I told one of the HD employees that it seemed mushy to ride. He remarked that I had bought a Buick not a corvette. They are a heavy bike with soft suspension intended for smooth road comfort. Most bikes have quirks or bad habits in certain situations. Most riders understand the quirks or shortcomings of the bike they ride. Most bikes that have issues that go beyond quirky to hazardous, are usually damaged, or have maintainence issues that cause or aggravate the issue.
I had a Honda that would chirp the front tire at high speed wobbles and a Yamaha that was so bad it scared my wife and she was following in a car. The Honda had a tweaked frame from running into too many cars and the Yamaha the most damaged head bearing I have ever seen. I think they sandblasted the frame without protecting or replacing the head bearings.
Bottom line is to buy a bike that fits the riding you intend to do with it. (Sometimes this takes multiple bikes) Maintain the bike the way it should be and ride it within the limits of it's design and your ability.
The flex in corners was amplified carrying double. It would actually appear that the fork sliders were not working together. Although I am sure that is not true it did seem that way and on some curves the bike would have a little wiggle to it. Uneven road surface would seem to start or amplify the condition. It never felt out of control, just a little unsettling.
When I first got the '03 I told one of the HD employees that it seemed mushy to ride. He remarked that I had bought a Buick not a corvette. They are a heavy bike with soft suspension intended for smooth road comfort. Most bikes have quirks or bad habits in certain situations. Most riders understand the quirks or shortcomings of the bike they ride. Most bikes that have issues that go beyond quirky to hazardous, are usually damaged, or have maintainence issues that cause or aggravate the issue.
I had a Honda that would chirp the front tire at high speed wobbles and a Yamaha that was so bad it scared my wife and she was following in a car. The Honda had a tweaked frame from running into too many cars and the Yamaha the most damaged head bearing I have ever seen. I think they sandblasted the frame without protecting or replacing the head bearings.
Bottom line is to buy a bike that fits the riding you intend to do with it. (Sometimes this takes multiple bikes) Maintain the bike the way it should be and ride it within the limits of it's design and your ability.
Motorcycles are like Potato chips One is never enough
Re: Harley "Warble" ???
my 2004 sportster has made some noises before but it has never "warbled" it did go into a wobble at 99 mph once in BIG BEND i managed to power thru it then backed off to a safer speed. harley says there is no defect, and why are riders exceeding a lawful posted speed limit. for cruising, the sporty can't be beat, but for really cruising (fast) i ride the honda.
i sometimes ride the harley with my honda jacket on and the honda with harley jacket on. i can't understand why people wave with one finger. i just smile and wave back.
i sometimes ride the harley with my honda jacket on and the honda with harley jacket on. i can't understand why people wave with one finger. i just smile and wave back.
Re: Harley "Warble" ???
Not to worry, what we're talking about here affects certain Big Twin baggers which start with "FL" and does not pertain to XL models. I've owned several Sporties ranging from an old ironhead to the new-frame Evo like yours and never had a problem with wobble--just some loose fillings in my teeth before they rubber-mounted 'em 
Re: Harley "Warble" ???
Last I read on the Harley wobble was that the spokes were loose. This was on brand new bikes. So if you have a wobble you might want to check those spokes for tightness.