Handlebar wobble

[mapryan]

Hi all

I've got a 6 month old TA which has been great with no problems. However, one thing I've noticed about it is that the handlebars have quite a wobble between about 30-60mph. I took it in for a service yesterday and they had both technicians look at it and told me there's nothing wrong with it. All they could suggest was that having a (Honda) top box and knobbly tires was the cause and that's just the way it is.

Does anyone else have this? It doesn't feel dangerous to ride or anything like that. But when you're at 50mph and let go of both handlebars to see them wobbling away like that, it's a little disconcerting. (Yes, I know it's probably not a good idea to let go of the handlebars, but I initially did it when I had quite a light grip on them one day and could feel the movement in the bars)

Cheers

Mike

[mad4it028]

my xr600 does same thing with knobbelys on fine on road tyres

[Lutin]

This subject has been discussed at some length in more than one previous thread.

Some suspects for the wobble have been found to be -

1) Top box - never suffered from this one myself, even with a Givi Maxia.

2) Tyres not seated correctly on the rims - I can confirm this one.

3) Loose spokes in the rear wheel - maybe occurs with the front wheel, not sure.

4) Knackered steering head bearings.

5) Knackered wheel bearings.


Don't be fobbed off with the old "they all do that, Sir", because they don't!

There will be a genuine reason for it, it's just a matter of trying one thing at once to track the problem down.

Hope that helps.

[africajim]

My new Varadero was fine until I changed the tyres, then a strange shake started coming through the bars. When checked the rear tyre was well out of balance, around 45g. Now it's balanced there's still a small tremble at around 30mph especially when coming off the throttle, putting the weight on to the steering but hardly noticeable. I put 3000 miles on to it around Europe so was too late in complaining this time round.
My opinion, my rear Anakee has "issues" but unable to prove it so I'll live with it for another 1000 miles then dump it. I'll fit another Anakee but if the problem remains I'll demand a new tyre next time.

[Soottie Chief]

Hi Mike,

I have the standard Trailwings and a Honda topbox with is on almost all of the time, and I have never had any "wobble" issues. Mine is an 09 Transalp, and have done 4700 on it so far without any such issues.

All I can suggest is the Honda dudes are spinning you a line and you look at balancing issue. Either wheels or steering. I'm not experienced enough to suggest anything else, but I do know that the top box and knobbly tyres answer stinks!

Hope that helps a little mate.

Si

[Bluff]

In my case the problem vanished with a new front tyre and balance.

[mapryan]

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies.

I wasn't happy with the replies I was getting from the dealer, and what's been said confirms I was right in thinking this.

Cheers

Mike

[Austin]

Top boxes don't help, but try the following in order of simplicity and likelihood:

1. Take off the top box. Goes away? There your problem. If not...

2. Tyre pressures. Put them both up a bit, then a bit more, and again until the shimmy goes or it is clearly getting worse.

3. Tyre pressures. Put them both down a bit, then a bit more, and again until the shimmy goes or is clearly getting worse or the bike is unrideable.

4. put some preload on the rear shock. Repeat 1, 2, & 3. Keep trying until it gets worse or unrideable

5. How worn are the tyres. Consider replacing.

6. Wheel bearings, just getting worn as well as knackered and knocking

7. Head bearings loose (as in could be a bit tighter as well as actually knocking loose) / worn.

One or more of the above WILL cure it, but many bikes do do this, normally on the overrun as you slow from 50ish to 20 ish. Both mine do with the severity of the headshake dependent on tyres, pressures and load in panniers or if I have a pillion. On my recent trip to france - 2-up and fully laden with camping gear I had the tyre pressures in my brand new Conti trail attacks at 5psi over recommended in the rear and +3 in the front before the headshake was reduced to acceptable levels.

Of course If you don't take your hands off the bars you haven't got a problem have you!!!

[Ryan]

Hi,
Cured mine every time with wheel balance both ends. I use mine for on and off and if you a curb at the wrong angle this can nock them out.I got bored of balancing and put ceramic beads inside my tubes. Now they self balance as you pull away for the life of the tyre!!! Bliss

[StumpyFingers]

You say it is 6 months old, that would mean it has Trailwings fitted.
They either need changing to a decent tyre or re-balancing.