| Author | Message | ||
     Tf1175 |
I posted this on one of the other buell forums also. The other day as I was riding on the highway I gave it some juice and took off. Was going maybe 60 at the time and sped up to about 90 real quick. I could feel the front end getting a little speed wobble. I let off and it was fine but then gassed it again and same thing. I haven't had the bike too long. Just bought it in the fall and this was the first time I gave it WOT on the highway. Any thoughts why it would shake? I just had the 5,000 mile check up about 2 weeks ago and have brand new tires on it that were installed and balanced by a knowledgeable buell dealer. Also my suspension was set by the dealer according to my weight. Kind of scared me a little that it was shaking. It wasn't horrible but still I think if I kept on the throttle it would have gotten worse but maybe not. thoughts...opinions??? | ||
| Pogue_mahone |
you sure it is wobble and not just buffeting from the wind.my first buell trip in the wind scared the crap outta me.turns out,it was wind buffeting for me. | ||
| Tf1175 |
yeah it wasn't from the wind. I had gone fast before but this wasn't the wind. It was a calm day too and I am almost certain it wasn't the wind! | ||
| Repnh |
Funny you should mention this. I just bought my Lightning and today I wanted to see how bad the wind was on the highway. Around 80-90 i felt this shake too, and it scared me. Maybe it was the wind? | ||
| Tf1175 |
ok so IF it was the wind then would a stabilizer or damper make it better? Also what is the difference between the two? | ||
| Iamarchangel |
About 75-80 mph the buffeting gets challenging but I wouldn't confuse that with a wobble. At that speed, I would assume tire balance first since you didn't notice it before and that was the major thing changed. Tell the guy who did the tires, see if he'll double-check the front. Also, the front tire weights only go on the right side. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I didnt have a leather jacket when I first got my cityX and I wanted to ride to work anyway. The jacket I was wearing was flapping like a flag in the wind. My bike was very unstable and I was concerned. Turns out that the flapping in the wind effect is yanking my arms around like I had a flag attatched to each arm, in turn wiggling my steering. A thick good fitting leather jacket cured that problem. You have to remember that you are on a naked bike and how you are dressed will have an effect on how it handles. Im not saying thats your problem but its food for thought. | ||
| Js_buell |
It might just be the radical steering geometry combine with the front wheel getting light on hard accelerations. I have noticed that my bike feel really sensitive to the very smallest input on hard accel at that kind of speed, it doesn't bother me since I don't seem to get nervous when I get a wobble, I don't know why so I might not be a good reference. | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
First thing is look at the front wheel. Make sure the weight is on rotor side. This WILL cause wobble all the way up to a tank slapper. If you have any questions about the job that was done when balanced then have it rebalanced. How many miles do you have on your bike, do you do wheelies? The reason I ask that you may need to take a look at your head bearings and set the resistance. The head bearings can get loose after time and more especially if you are doing wheelies. Lastly set your sag. If the rear of the bike has too much preload then it can cause the front to be unstable and more sensitive to inputs. So if you grip the bars tight then it could be magnified by the suspension setup and cause a wobble. | ||
| 03worc9r |
Just an idea.....( I am far from an expert)..... I was getting some intermittent wobble on my bike and later found it was my grip on the bars. If you dont have a relaxed grip you might be pulling on one side more than the other which could be dangerous if you hit an unsuspected bump or pothole at speed. | ||
| Tf1175 |
I will look at my bike tomorrow or when it is not raining. I assume the wheel was balanced properly because the dealer is a really good buell dealer but you never know. Bike has about 5,500 miles on it. Its a 2007 xb12s and I don't wheelie on it except for 2 times which was only about 6 inches off the ground. The previous owners did not wheelie either but I will look at the head bearings when I get a chance too. I don't have my service manual with me because I am at school for 3 more weeks. I don't think my grip is too tight either but next time when the weather is good I will take it out and make sure my grip is loose and that my jacket is on tight. I will make sure that the road is in good condition too and try to cross off as many things as possible to narrow it down. Hopefully its something stupid and not the bike. If anyone wants to come by and help me figure it out then please do! I'm right outside of Harrisburg, PA. I can drive to meet somewhere too as long as its not too far! Thanks for the responses thus far. I will write back when I ride it in the next few days! | ||
| Addean38 |
Mine seems to do it alot during a heavy acceleration, almost right as the front tire wants to come up off the road but just not quite there. Get some shake in the bars. Made me real nervous at first but now I just come to expect it. It has never seemed to get any worse than just a slight shake and not worth spending $400 on a dampener. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
I've experienced the same thing on a 12scg at the track, and while demoing a 12r. I think the 2" shorter wheel base just allows more weight to come off the front wheel than my 54" X1 does. A steering damper should fix the wobble or "head shake" but I've never ridden a bike with one installed, so can't say for sure. AFAIK damper and stabilizer are just two different terms describing the same part. | ||
| Tf1175 |
oh and here are some pictures from the ride on Saturday when I noticed the problem.          | ||
| Tf1175 |
and yes I wear more gear than that but it was 75 degrees out and it was just a photo shoot that lasted about 15 minutes! | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
After seeing what you were wearing Im fairly certain its the jacket. With a jacket that loose you cannot hold your arms still at speed. That coupled with the front tire being light because of the speed. Id check the wheel weight too. | ||
| Treefrog |
I would also go back over the suspension settings myself along with all of the other recommendations mentioned. | ||
| Froggy |
Check your suspension, tire pressure, and tire wear. | ||
| Rsh |
It is hard to tell from your picture's, The forks look like they have been moved up in the triple clamps (lowers the front) what line on the forks is showing above the top clamp? Also it looks to be very little front preload, like I said it is hard to tell from the pic's. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Tennies, no gloves, and a hoodie? I'd be getting wobbly at less than 10mph. Back to your question, in the last picture, I'd say you're sitting too far back. The bike is meant to be ridden with you right up against the airbox. You look a bit white knuckle, no wonder, but you said you've been to that speed before without problem. Relax your grip. | ||
| Glitch |
Pay attention to Treefrog, Froggy, Rsh, and Iamarchangel, they're all on the right track. I'm no safety nazi, but at the same time you'd not catch me going 90 with the gear you have on in the pictures. Or should I say "lack of gear" |
