Electra Glide High Speed Wobble Harley Bagger Discuss Electra Glide High Speed Wobble in the Motorcycles forums; I was on a Fly-n-Ride and my buddy and I were returning to Boise, ID. I had rented a 2008 Electra Glide and the bike was loaded with 4 days ...

I was on a Fly-n-Ride and my buddy and I were returning to Boise, ID. I had rented a 2008 Electra Glide and the bike was loaded with 4 days of clothes, a few souvenirs, and my leather jacket. We were on Highway 55, traveling south, and we were following an 18 wheeler. It's a beautiful road with lots of twists and turns. It wouldn't have been so bad, but on every turn, the truck driver would drop his rear wheels off the pavement and kick-up rocks and sand. I was in the lead and we were approaching an area where we could pass. I kicked it down a gear, rolled on the throttle and began my pass. Half way around, I noticed that the passing lane was coming to an end and there was a sharp corner ahead. I finished the pass and hit the brakes to make the turn. I was braking hard with both front and rear brakes when suddenly the front end started to wobble. I let up on the front brake, continued applying pressure on the rear brake, and completed the turn. I noticed that after I let up on the front and rear brakes, the wobble stopped. I've ridden for several years and I'd read stories about high speed wobble, but this was the first time I'd experienced it myself. My question is, do you believe Harley-Davidson is addressing this problem by redesigning their frames for the touring models? And if so, has anyone with a 2009 touring model experienced high speed wobble?

[PeterV]

What you've described occurs with EVERY motorcycle.
The front suspension got fully "loaded"with the brakes applied, more so than the rear, which changed the level of the frame as it sits between two suspension points goemetrically speaking.
Compound that with the bike leaning and the "gyroscopic effect" becomes pronounced transferring directional pulses to the frame. The minute you let go of the front brake, you released the front suspension, in essence getting the bike to get level between the two suspension points and the frame relaxing from the input of multiple directional forces
The wobble garbage barges are famous for, is generated by various components. Rubber bushings between swingarm and frame, incorrectly dialed suspension, rider handlebar input and load.

Something that always surprises me about these behemoths (and...always brings a smile to my face) is their ground clearance. You can lean these baggers waaaay over!

Sounds like you had a blast!

I think I'll quit now

Pete

[NightGlide]

Originally Posted by PeterV

Something that always surprises me about these behemoths (and...always brings a smile to my face) is their ground clearance. You can lean these baggers waaaay over!

Pete, one of my favorite things to do, after watching a bunch of riders drag their feet through the parking lot at 5 mph, is to put my Electra into a hard figure-8, floorboards scraping, and a grin from ear to ear on my face.

Also good when someone tells me that the bike is so heavy, it only handles well on the open highway going straight.

[Rocky]

Yea, what Pete said. I have on 07 Classic and have had similar situations normally the same way, travelling on unfamiliar roads loaded down and cram on the brakes only to release the brakes and it straighten right up. Clean up the seat change your drawers and press on.

[08roadglidejoe]

I read somewhere HD added another link to the frame. So now there are four links on frame of the 2009s. 2009s are not suppose to "wobble". I have yet to experience it on my 2008 FLTR.

[nukeguy]

I've only owned and ridden my 08 FLHR approximately 7 months and 12,500 miles and never experienced "The Wobble." Still not sure if I'm ready to add a stabilizer link either? Too many to choose from, $199.99 to $400 plus price range. Until a creditable source comes out and says "you must have one of these for your FLH series for safe operability" I'll hold off.

[Ira Watters]

I would like to see photos of the 2009 Harley engine mounts and swingarm. This would give me some kind of an idea as to what they have done to correct the wobble problem. If some one has an 09 maybe they could post them It would be much appreciated

[unclepsycho]

good idea.
I was just at the local HD yesterday and didnt think to crawl down under the new bikes and have a look. Now it is Sunday, we got 2 more days till we can go look. maybe a picture will show up here.

[texan321]

Originally Posted by PeterV

What you've described occurs with EVERY motorcycle.
The front suspension got fully "loaded"with the brakes applied, more so than the rear, which changed the level of the frame as it sits between two suspension points goemetrically speaking.
Compound that with the bike leaning and the "gyroscopic effect" becomes pronounced transferring directional pulses to the frame. The minute you let go of the front brake, you released the front suspension, in essence getting the bike to get level between the two suspension points and the frame relaxing from the input of multiple directional forces
The wobble garbage barges are famous for, is generated by various components. Rubber bushings between swingarm and frame, incorrectly dialed suspension, rider handlebar input and load.

Something that always surprises me about these behemoths (and...always brings a smile to my face) is their ground clearance. You can lean these baggers waaaay over!

Sounds like you had a blast!

I think I'll quit now

Pete

ya what he said!

[HDDon]

I agree that handlebar input (death grip) and improper braking technique can and does cause some high speed wobble. On pre 09 touring Harleys the stabilizers are in the front and top of the motor with the rear stabilized by nothing. The swingarm is mounted in elastic isolators and will move or shift. The motor in turn will follow this harmonic effect and you have the high speed wobble without touching the brake or putting a death grip on the bars. The solution for pre 09 is the rear motor mount or stabilizer. I installed one from a company in Canada (Ebay) for $229, it does not hang under the bike and I have not had another wobble since. I saw that Progressive now has almost the same design for $199.