Wobble at 75mph +

[snowbandit]

Seems since I put the fairing on the 2011 R3T I get wobble at higher speeds and once in a while on slowing down too. Feels like the front end is very light. Should I turn the pre-load up on the rear shocks? I am a bigger guy at close to 300 pounds and I believe its set at 3 right now. Do you think this will help. I am currently in Sturgis and found riding one way on the highway (east) I got wobble, but returning to my cabin (west) Wobble was pretty much not there up to and over 75mph. I think the fairing and windshield are causing it. Tucked in behind the windshield seem to help some also.

Bike only has 5,000 miles on it and brand new Avon tires, stock tires were worn flat pretty quick. I am running about 38 psi in front and 43 in the back. Little higher than stock but then again I have the added weight of the fairing and tour box with gear, plus my fat ass.

Let me know what ya think. I wish I could check my steering stem bearing like I read on other posts but I didn't bring my motorcycle lift with me out here... I can check when I get home in two weeks.

 

[laraza]

Got Avons on mine and I emailed them to get their recommendations. They said loaded I should be running 36 front 44 rear increasing the rear by 2 psi when carrying a pillion. High I know but that was from Avon UK.

The fairing must be affecting stability, spec if it's fork mounted it's gonna be more susceptible to cross winds etc, and it may just be a case of playing with settings to minimise the effect.

Mine doesn't have a fairing but gets a gentle weave on over 100mph solo but it disappears two up so whadda I know?

 

[blu65ss]

I put the tall screen on my bike and gave it the ole speed check past 120 mph without any issues, I would think it's possible it's the screen but could be something else as well. hows that for a political answer! it's an08 r3t.

 

[Gkiller]

I had the EXACT same problem develop on my prior bike (Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic with fairing)...high speed wobble, as well as wobble on deceleration. Bike ran fine with no problems until about 10K miles, then on a trip starting getting a very noticeable (and somewhat scary) "wobble" when I hit about 70 mph or when I was slowing the bike down from cruising speed.

Checked tires, shocks, removed fairing, re-installed fairing, etc. Turned out it was the front end "knuckle" nut - or triple tree nut that was loose. Tightened it up, problem went away. I found this is fairly common after doing some research...some bikes come from factory with nuts not completely tightened, and tend to loosen up after putting a few thousand miles on the bike.

Not sure how the Triumph knuckle tightens, but I had a tech do mine since there was some dis-assembly required to get to the nut. Hope this helps...
I'd put money on this being the problem

 

[snowbandit]

I had the EXACT same problem develop on my prior bike (Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic with fairing)...high speed wobble, as well as wobble on deceleration. Bike ran fine with no problems until about 10K miles, then on a trip starting getting a very noticeable (and somewhat scary) "wobble" when I hit about 70 mph or when I was slowing the bike down from cruising speed.

Checked tires, shocks, removed fairing, re-installed fairing, etc. Turned out it was the front end "knuckle" nut - or triple tree nut that was loose. Tightened it up, problem went away. I found this is fairly common after doing some research...some bikes come from factory with nuts not completely tightened, and tend to loosen up after putting a few thousand miles on the bike.

Not sure how the Triumph knuckle tightens, but I had a tech do mine since there was some dis-assembly required to get to the nut. Hope this helps...
I'd put money on this being the problem

Was hoping that wasn't it.. I don't have a lift to lift the bike, to take a look at that... I am going to adjust the air pressure down a bit on the front and up in the back to see what happens..


Anyone know if its possible to tighten that down without a lift???? From what I was ready you need a lift to remove the forks..

 

[Gkiller]

I don't think you will need to lift the bike or remove the forks. The nut is located at the top of the forks on top of the triple clamp (I think...). Here is a link to the R3 Service Manual http://www.triumphrocket.com/triumph-rocket-service-manual.pdf

..not sure if it is the same as the Touring model, but I cannot imagine it would be much different. Refer to 14.15 in the Service Manual....
Any shop with a mechanic/tech should be able to do this for you in an hour or so...about how long it took the guy on my Vulcan and the set appears similar. Good luck.

 

[Gkiller]

Also...here's a link to a thread on this forum that addresses the front end wobble...
http://www.r3owners.net/common-issues/2525-front-end-wobble.html

 

[Power-Tripp]

I have seen this on a couple of Tourings once they get a few miles on them.


A few things that will help:
Check steering head bearing torque.
Heavier front springs with heavier fluid. [BOTH on the R3T are very light.]
Improved fork bushings.
7mm-12mm drop in fork height.
More rear preload.

Still at speeds above 90mph, the front fairing will induce wobble. Remove it and the wobble is gone.

The best I have been able to do is get it to not wobble until 100 mph with the fairing in place.

 

[HellFire]

I wouldn't blame it on the fairing, most likely poor balance or loose head bearing.
My oversize CeeBailey has been to 150mph many times with no stability problems and I weigh 210. I also have an Avon on the front, a Cobra and it is rock solid as well. Any play in the steering head will go wild on the road so check that even if you have to take the front accessories off to get at it.

 

[Power-Tripp]

Hellfire,
The soft suspension on the R3T makes it act considerably different than your classic. Even when you install heavier springs in the R3T.

In two different Tourings, back-to-back tests, removing the fairing, and the wobble is gone. So the common denominator is the fairing.