High Speed Wobble

I started having a high speed wobble (85+ miles). I don't regularly drive this fast, but I don't want a wobble at any speed. It ain't right. Anyway, I got a new Metzeler for the front. It was well overdue so, I didn't mind spending the money. Now, my baby rides smooth as silk. Til I hit about 85 miles. As stated, I don't regularly drive this fast, but, I DON'T WANT A WOBBLE

Please tell me what you think.

Can you give more info. Mods,accessories etc. This might help pin point the problem.

I have lots of mods and accessories, but, none that I can think of that would cause a wobble.

Have you replaced the steering bearings yet? I have mine in the garage waiting. try increasing your rear air pressure by 5 lbs, if this stops the wobble, its probably the bearings. You can put it up on a stand and run it up to 90 to make sure the rear tire is still balanced and to make sure it hasn't broken a belt. I know mine is from the front because I get up to speed and very gradually change lanes when the front tire hits the groove between lines it starts its wobble, then when the back tire hits it there is no difference. Its a common problem with the 1300.....
Many others have it, and I.m sure some will chime in.

Jerry

jedishon wrote: Its a common problem with the 1300.....
Many others have it, and I.m sure some will chime in.

Jerry

So, is it usually fixed with the stem nut bearing?

One thing I didnt mention on the OB is you might also try cranking up you shock preload. I know they ride stiffer with them cranked up. But I will get a little wollowing when mine are down.

kermit wrote:

jedishon wrote: Its a common problem with the 1300.....
Many others have it, and I.m sure some will chime in.

Jerry

So, is it usually fixed with the stem nut bearing?

Here is for the bearing.... http://tech.vtxoa.com/index.php?action=artikel&cat=38&id=172&artlang=en

But I forgot the first thing to check is the shock bushings. If the bolt holding the shocks on is not in the center you need to replace the rubber bushings with a nylon one........

Jerry

+1 shock bushings first then the steering head bearings. Are you running dyna beads in the new tire?

See you out there
Smokey

I agree with them , But if that isn't it then you might check your windshield, if it is the kind that is easily removed then take it off then drive up to the speed that you had the wobble . If it is the kind that is a pain to remove then check for loose hardware and retighten and adjust the windshield a degree up or down and try that to see if the wobble has changed.
Good luck,
Horse

kermit,

Even bikes with motorcycle tires all of a sudden produce wobbles. It can be a number of things...like the stock dunnie on the front, steering head bearings, worn shock bushings, etc!


...................bobby

.

Does it happen ever time you go over 85, or just some roads, some times?

I'm going to take it out on a good strip of highway and give it a run. Running 90 without the windhshield? That'll be fun.
Going to also adjust the shocks and I've checked my tire pressure. I have Progressive 412's, Dynabeads all around and new Metzeler on the front. I'm getting ready to order stem nut bearing and front wheel bearings if none of this other stuff works. It only happens if I go around 85 or so. And that's a true 85 (have speedohealer), which makes me believe I've never had it up that high, as I was only going as high as 90 before the speedohealer. My speedo was 13% off. I'll just see what happens. Steve was behind me and thought I was playing games. He said all he could see was the back of my bike rocking from left to right. It was pretty scary so you can see why I'm not quick to re-enact it.

what is your car tire? I saw a theory the other day about taller, softer sidewalls and lower speed ratings. Just a thought. My v-rated, 205/55 with my suspension on 5 hasn't every wobbled even a teeny tiny little bit, and I've been well past 100.

I agree. The taller slower rated tires are the cause of my wobble. I have checked and rechecked everything that could cause a 85-90 mph wobble. Outside of an under rated tire the only other thing it could be is a misalignment between the front and rear tire. I remember a guy trammed it out once and found his rear tire 3/8" to the left(I think). I have chosen to stay under 90. I love everything else about the Douglas 205. I love it so much I did a smokey burnout today!

with the VTX being shaft driven is it common for the rear tire to be out of alignment of the front? I didn't think there was any adjustment on the rear.

Well I found the cure for my wobble i raised the rear tire psi to 45 from 35 and it is no longer there

Sounds familiar to me.
I ride a sport tourer, Kaw Concours.
First let me explain that my application has limited tire choices due to a narrow swingarm clearance.. No premium tires available AFAIK.
First ct was a Nankang 165R15 which I believe is also a 80 series tire. Tall sidewall! It had to much sidewall flex. Had the wobble starting at 85 mph. Don';t consider this tire to be of good quality for mc's.
All ct's are not the same, similar to MC tires they have different characteristics.
Current tire is Federal brand same size. It also has a tall sidewall.The Federal had no 'noticeable' sidewall flex in moderate to spirited riding and makes me very pleased with the handling. Tho it does start to wobble at over the ton. Today at 115 it wobbled way too much. I rarely ever ride that fast tho so it is not an issue except in 'testing mode". Apart from the wobble the Federal seems to be a quality tire and runs very smooth.
In my search the remaining third tire yet to be tried by myself is the Kuhmo.
All my choices (so far) have the lower 118mph speed rating. Also have a one ply sidewall.

meta355 wrote:I agree. The taller slower rated tires are the cause of my wobble. I have checked and rechecked everything that could cause a 85-90 mph wobble. Outside of an under rated tire the only other thing it could be is a misalignment between the front and rear tire. I remember a guy trammed it out once and found his rear tire 3/8" to the left(I think). I have chosen to stay under 90. I love everything else about the Douglas 205. I love it so much I did a smokey burnout today!

lots of good advice, but first thing to check is balance of the tire... if it was static balanced, I'd recommend some beads... if you have beads then the next thing I'D guess is steering bearings...

edit: what's your mileage? that may or may not push shock bushings like previously mentioned up into the mix (and easy to look at!)

let us know what the fix is...

Metzeler's like lots of air pressure... You should be running at least 40lbs. of air in that new front tire of yours..

I know that post pretty much died, but I just wanted to let you guys know that I had that dreaded high speed wobble, more of a high speed sway from side to side and I finally fixed it by changing out the front wheel bearings. I still have the steering nut bearing and the front springs in a box and will change them soon, but for now, 90 and no wobble or even vibration.

Glad you got it fixed..... Mine was the windshield, from the taller front tire and the shorter rear tire changing the angle...

Jerry

kermit wrote:I know that post pretty much died, but I just wanted to let you guys know that I had that dreaded high speed wobble, more of a high speed sway from side to side and I finally fixed it by changing out the front wheel bearings. I still have the steering nut bearing and the front springs in a box and will change them soon, but for now, 90 and no wobble or even vibration.

I'm glad you got it fixed , I just wanted to know how many miles are on your VTX?
If I am close to your miles then when i change out my shock bushings i might replace the front wheel bearings too. thanks again Kermit for keeping us up to date.
Your friend,
Horse

kermit wrote:I know that post pretty much died, but I just wanted to let you guys know that I had that dreaded high speed wobble, more of a high speed sway from side to side and I finally fixed it by changing out the front wheel bearings. I still have the steering nut bearing and the front springs in a box and will change them soon, but for now, 90 and no wobble or even vibration.

Thanks for the heads up kermit.......that's why you are our Queen..... :queen:


....................bobby

.

I have around 13,000 miles on mine. All Balls wheel bearings cost around 20.00. definitely worth it. Much nicer ride. I was going out of my drive for a test drive after installing them and I could already tell a difference. Couldn't put a finger on it, but it was a noticeable difference. Bike just seemed to be more stable. All in all, change out took around 45 minutes. And that was spending 20 minutes trying to figure out how to do it.

Just to let you know Kermit , I checked my front wheel bearings when i changed my shock bushings last night, the wheel bearings are still in great shape but i am going to get some on order anyway . thanks for the heads up.
Horse