new bike...minor problem

[critter]

Well, I finally got my new roadstar midnight silverado. I love the bike, but there is a wobble issue. I noticed that if i release the handlebars slightly, the front starts to wobble, and the wobble gets worse the longer it goes. holding the bars like normal, and you don't feel it wobble at all. i called the dealer after i got it home to check on tire weights, because i had different tires put on before i took delivery. he said the tire has no weights on it because it zero'd out on the machine and didn't call for any weight. He said it could be in the neck...not tight enough maybe? I don't know, but I'm just a little uneasy about it. Do some bikes wobble more by nature than others? I don't remember my vulcan doing that.

I read through the wobble thread, but that was a different bike with a tire situation not like mine, which is new. Seems like I saw someone post something about a wobbling roadstar, but i can't find that thread now.

any help, or suggestions? Thanks.

[Clint]

Tire tread can cause it. Motorcycles are not designed to be ridden no-handed. You can't have quick handling and neutral feel while maintaining that tight of stability. I discovered that my Bandit does that when I was on my first set of tires. I haven't had any reason to check since then.

[Rickster]

It's not unheard of for a tire to be bad, even if it's brand new. I read a thread about this last year on another forum, quite a few riders were getting wobble, and squirm from new tires. I think they were Dunlops, but I heard they were quickly recalled, and everyone that complained got them replaced.

Having the bike misaligned can cause a wobble too.

Check your air pressure.

[cruznut6]

I think I'd take it back to the dealer and let him check the bearings and hardware for tightness or defects. Also, check and make sure the tire wasn't mounted backwards (should have an arrow showing correct direction). BTW, I wouldn't take both hands off the handlebar too long; potholes, gravel, oil show-up suddenly sometimes and you need to react quickly.

[critter]

thanks everyone. understand that i don't ride no handed on a regular basis....it was just because i was noticing it on turns some, so i wanted to see. when i took off just the left hand, it vibrated so much i couldn't see the images in the mirror, so then i relaxed the other hand to see. i normally ride both hands all the time.

tire pressure is what the bike calls for on both tires. I'm going to research that dunlop recall since these tires are dunlops. it will also go to the dealer for a check up as soon as the freaking blizzard weather goes away. i'll keep you updated.

[Cajundude]

Originally Posted by critter

thanks everyone. understand that i don't ride no handed on a regular basis....it was just because i was noticing it on turns some, so i wanted to see. when i took off just the left hand, it vibrated so much i couldn't see the images in the mirror, so then i relaxed the other hand to see. i normally ride both hands all the time.

tire pressure is what the bike calls for on both tires. I'm going to research that dunlop recall since these tires are dunlops. it will also go to the dealer for a check up as soon as the freaking blizzard weather goes away. i'll keep you updated.

Oh, they're Dunnies....similar problem on my VTX, but it's usually caused by ...1 the Dunnie as they tend to chatter and grip groves too easily...2nd - the steering head bearings could be loose, or in the case of most VTX1300's, a POS ball bearing set that warps when under load or 3 - the bike's out of alignment - many of my friends with the same scooter have had issues where the rear was not aligned properly. Take it back to them to test ride and check all of the above before it causes you real grief.

[critter]

well i got the problem fixed tonight. it was the neck berring i believe he said. They tightened it up some, and bingo, the wobble is gone. It's a smooth as my last bike now. I'm glad it was something easy and not a major ordeal.

[SVZuki]

Congrats on the cheap fix. Did they inspect the bearing at all or just tighten it??

[critter]

i'm sure they looked at it, but really they just tightened it up.

[hammersfan]

Originally Posted by critter

well i got the problem fixed tonight. it was the neck berring i believe he said. They tightened it up some, and bingo, the wobble is gone. It's a smooth as my last bike now. I'm glad it was something easy and not a major ordeal.

Now you should be able to ride with no hands