Any Experience of Front End Wobble

[TheTortoise]

Took a test drive and when I got on the bike on tight twisties, with some rough pavement, I had a bunch of shaking on handlebars.

On wider turns at a slower pace, no shake. Only when really going. Still shook on smooth pavement too. Not as much

My guess is the tires on the beat up test bike.

Just want some input

Looking to get either a Multistrada 1200 Touring or a K1600Gt

[Fultank]

Never had the front shake in 6300miles.

Ride it hard enough to slide the rear on occasion.

[Mr Sunshine]

How heavy are you. It could be the suspension needs to be better sprung for you

[w0mb2t]

you couldnt narrow your choice between 2 similiar bikes ?

if you spend a little time searching you will probably see that front end shaking is NOT a hot topic. So i guess thats my vague answer to a vague question .

[Kitesurfer]

9 times out of 10 it's the rider holding on too tight.

Just saying.

[TheTortoise]

Thanks for the input.

Who knows. Driven many many bikes. This was a first.

Yes, never really seen a post on this. I also raced dirt bikes and never had this experience. Maybe the suspension. Maybe I held on too tight. Just wanted to check in on this.

[oalvarez]

If it's your first "tall" bike that might explain some of it as well. While it has a 17" front wheel, the longer travel forks/light front end can create a feeling of lightness/vagueness in the steering/handling of the bike.

Wobble it should not do.

Have fun,

[Sock Monkey]

Originally Posted by TheTortoise

I also raced dirt bikes and never had this experience.

Couple thoughts.

First, hustling a big road bike along is nothing like hustling a dirt bike along. On the road bike you really need to be on the tank to get the front to stick (think MotoGP). Next, I've found my Mutley to be really sensitive to tire pressure. If it's not 36psi front/rear, it doesn't handle as well when pushing it (stock Scorpion Trails). Finally, I assume this was a test of a new(ish) bike? I ask because I've found the stock front tire to wear oddly, so if the bike you rode had a few thousand miles on it, it could have been the front tire not wearing evenly.

You've already heard about suspension, etc., so if you're a big guy (200lb+) and didn't have the preload max'd in the rear, the back will squat when you power out of corners and if you also aren't on the tank, the front will get light and all manner of "bad things" can happen, the least of them being wobblies......

There's my 2 bananas. Set up right, the Duc RAILS the twisties like nothing else I've ever ridden.

-SM

[Willie B]

The front tire may have been under-inflated. I'm not sure about the shaking, but an under-inflated front tire can definitely affect the responsiveness and rider input. A demo bike reserved for demo rides seldom makes it through the service lane. My bike seems to lose a little inflation over time, making the bike feel screwy.

[C5Pete]

+1 on the 200 lb +, mine always would start wobble at about 80 mph , almost went into tank slapper on interstate one day, anyhow front problem solved with new springs front and back. (1200 abs)