No more wobble

[Tbone]

I have had the death wobble on my Roadster for quite a while and it started with a fairly new Avon Cobra. I tried steering head bearings and all seemed fine, I even took it to the stealership and those idiots told me that it was my aftermarket saddlebags(Viking). So I thought I would just try to put up with it until I wore out my front tire. Well with the wobble I was not able to ride as aggressively as I normally do and the tire lasted way longer than normal. I finally went ahead and got a Mich CommanderII and all is good again. I forgot what it was like to take hands off bars at any speed. Now some new suspension.

 

[Nat67]

That's unusual for a Cobras , I can only suspect tire pressures and / or wheel alignment . As for suspension , I recently bought a set of Hagon nitros . I had a set of progressive 440s before which were woefully undersprung . I prefer the hagons in every shape and form and would controversially recommend the Hagons over them hands down . For the money , imho they are the best . They look great too !

 

[Tbone]

Thanks Nat I will definitely look into the Hagons.

 

[Claviger]

Interestingly this is consistent with the experience @fastfun mentioned regarding his swap from Avon to Metz recently and high speed stability.

Curious if this is simply a case of front cupped badly for whatever reason.

I had the exact same symptom with my stock Metzler, horrid wobbles and vibrations at very low mileage with a lot of tread left. It was badly cupped. Swapping to an Avon fixed it 100%, if I had cruise I could ride cross country without hands on bars, rock stable at anything under 140 or so, gets a little finicky up stairs though for different reasons.

I honestly don't think this is as simple as "Brand X causes wobbles".

 

[1olbull]

I have had the death wobble on my Roadster for quite a while and it started with a fairly new Avon Cobra. I tried steering head bearings and all seemed fine, I even took it to the stealership and those idiots told me that it was my aftermarket saddlebags(Viking). So I thought I would just try to put up with it until I wore out my front tire. Well with the wobble I was not able to ride as aggressively as I normally do and the tire lasted way longer than normal. I finally went ahead and got a Mich CommanderII and all is good again. I forgot what it was like to take hands off bars at any speed. Now some new suspension.

"I knew you would!" uttered in my best My Pillow Guy impression.

BTW - I have a brand new, still in the wrapping Commander II in 140/75R17 if anyone near is interested . . .

 

[Tripps]

Interestingly this is consistent with the experience @fastfun mentioned regarding his swap from Avon to Metz recently and high speed stability.

Curious if this is simply a case of front cupped badly for whatever reason.

I had the exact same symptom with my stock Metzler, horrid wobbles and vibrations at very low mileage with a lot of tread left. It was badly cupped. Swapping to an Avon fixed it 100%, if I had cruise I could ride cross country without hands on bars, rock stable at anything under 140 or so, gets a little finicky up stairs though for different reasons.

I honestly don't think this is as simple as "Brand X causes wobbles".

I thought a new Avon fixed mine, but it eventually cupped too and it returned, so I think it may be the cupping.

 

[TURBO200R4]

Interestingly this is consistent with the experience @fastfun mentioned regarding his swap from Avon to Metz recently and high speed stability.

Curious if this is simply a case of front cupped badly for whatever reason.

I had the exact same symptom with my stock Metzler, horrid wobbles and vibrations at very low mileage with a lot of tread left. It was badly cupped. Swapping to an Avon fixed it 100%, if I had cruise I could ride cross country without hands on bars, rock stable at anything under 140 or so, gets a little finicky up stairs though for different reasons.

I honestly don't think this is as simple as "Brand X causes wobbles".

imho the rocket does not like white walls

 

[rng3]

That's unusual for a Cobras , I can only suspect tire pressures and / or wheel alignment . As for suspension , I recently bought a set of Hagon nitros . I had a set of progressive 440s before which were woefully undersprung . I prefer the hagons in every shape and form and would controversially recommend the Hagons over them hands down . For the money , imho they are the best . They look great too !

Which part number did you use?
Rick

 

[barbagris]

Curious if this is simply a case of front cupped badly for whatever reason.

I had the exact same symptom with my stock Metzler, horrid wobbles and vibrations at very low mileage with a lot of tread left. It was badly cupped. Swapping to an Avon fixed it 100%, if I had cruise I could ride cross country without hands on bars, rock stable at anything under 140 or so, gets a little finicky up stairs though for different reasons.

I honestly don't think this is as simple as "Brand X causes wobbles".

I cupped the Metz both sides in 7700kms - cupped the Cobra in 6300kms, but curiously asymmetrically. And interestingly I have cupped the current front (which is a Bridgestone 150/70 rear) but symmetrically. But after a lot more kms. But honestly I have no wobbles - well nothing that having a barn door strapped to the handlebars does not explain.

One thing - Once cupping starts - it seems to get worse very fast.

The asymmetry thing is what is interesting. My journeys until last month were predictable. Pretty much the same runs every week.

 

[Nat67]

Which part number did you use?
Rick

Part number ?
Cupping on front motorcycle tyres is caused by 3 things , tyre pressure too low , overloading and heavy braking . If any or all of those things are not addressed , any stickyish tyre you use will cup . It's not hard to gauge how a tyre is wearing and if showing abnormal or uneaven wear , adjust the tyre pressures accordingly and maybe think about stiffening your front forks a bit !