dbeau Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 Curious of anyone else experiences a little handle bar shimmy when you let go of the handlebars while coasting at let's say 20mph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsp Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 How many miles on your front tire? Front tire wear would be the first thing to check. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlxr Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 Mine doesn't wobble at slow speeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbeau Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 4k on the stock tires, 30psi. I'll say this, sometimes it does but not always so I figure it's just a factor of road condition and this and that but just wondered if anyone else noticed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsp Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 30 psi is pretty low for everyday conditions. Sounds more like track day pressure. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattonme Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 if you're not coasting with tranny in N then the small but present torque moment is causing the wheel to hunt to maintain balance. If it's small amplitude but pretty fast movement then combination of carcass and road conditions and weight bias. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owle Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Are you coasting with the bike in neutral? .... I had this on a former bike, coasting with the bike in neutral or when in gear slowing down .... changed the head-race bearings, even though they seemed fine made no difference, changed wheel bearings no difference, changed the tyre no difference ..... When i got used to it i started to let go of the bars at different speeds, and it only happend at sub 30mph, so i just tried to not let it bother me .... it became a habit to loosly let go of the bars as i slowed down just to feel it wobble .... i have no answer for you but if it doesn't happen with your hands on the bars or at high speeds, then i wouldn't think it dangerous but only you can decide that, let us know if you figure it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member fddriver2 Posted August 27, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted August 27, 2017 I had the same thing when my stock front tire was close needing replacement. It happened while decelerating through the low 40's mph to about 30-35 mph where it would stop shimmying on it's own. Replaced the front tire, it went away. YMMV "It doesn't matter who walks in, you know the joke is still the same" Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FJ29ER Posted August 30, 2017 Share Posted August 30, 2017 I do. On my commute there is a few lights that have a long straight away between them and usually when taking off from the first one about half way to the next it turns red. So I just shift into neutral and coast to a stop. Road is a little bit rough so it happens mostly when going over a patched spot of little spot that's missing a layer of black top. Stock tire is really worn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbeau Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share Posted November 6, 2017 Lately it's been getting worse. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the cupping I'm seeing on the front tire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattonme Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 a motorcycle front wheel is inherently "unstable" and some wag is not unusual. Cupped tires will definitely exacerbate it. It's not something to worry about unless the headshake is violent. Lightly rest a single finger on the bar and it should stop immediately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FJ29ER Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Lately it's been getting worse. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the cupping I'm seeing on the front tire. Totally forgot to come in and update but I got a new front michelin tire and the wobble has almost gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted November 7, 2017 Supporting Member Share Posted November 7, 2017 Lately it's been getting worse. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the cupping I'm seeing on the front tire. @jsp suggested this back in August. Are you still using the same front tire? ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsp Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Currently I am a motorcycle tire specialist and I've worked in the industry for 40 years. dbeau, back in August you posted you had the stock front tire with 4K (miles ?) and running 30 psi. The stock tires are very poor quality. I'm sure if you run your fingers over the tread you will find cupping and/ or uneven wear. This can be caused by poor quality tire, low air pressure (30 psi), poor damping action and other factors. All of the factors I listed you have. If this really bothers you, your immediate solution is to replace the tire with a quality new one, run 35 to 36 psi, and adjust your suspension for better performance and ride. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbeau Posted November 7, 2017 Author Share Posted November 7, 2017 Same front tire, pressure has been back up to stock recommended for a while. I had only ran that lower pressure for some mountain road riding back in summer. Suspension is tweaked as best I can for my weight but stock springs aren't stiff enough. The wobble did border on violent the other day. Easily rectified by grabbing the bar but only for fear that it would end up in a full blown tank slapper (been there, done that. Not fun). Thanks for all the input guys. It sounds like crappy, cupped tires and less than perfect suspension are to blame. I suspect that the road quality adds to it as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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