Low speed Handlebar Wobble?

[forjj]

I went for a ride last weekend, and everything was fine, until about halfway through the ride.  I noticed an increased road noise, and then I started getting a pretty bad wobble at 35-40 MPH.  Did I just lose a weight, or is something else going on?  I am probably going to add ride-on to see if that helps.  I've been wanting to get ride-on anyway, but wanted to make sure there wasn't anything else going on.

Thanks in advance!!!


jj

[JaysGone]

Check your air pressure, make sure you didnt throw a weight.
But also make sure your front neck is tight and in good condition.
If it hasnt been looked at in memory or if your the newest owner.
Its a good thing to make sure the neck and all its bearings are in the propper shape.

If you have a lift.
Get the front wheel off the ground.
If the handle bars just flop over easily side to side on their own accord easily.
The neck may indeed itself need some adjustment.

[Tim H]

Thanks for the reply.  I think I experienced this last weekend.  It came and went so quick I didn't notice it again.  I usually don't go that slow to notice it (though some might argue that point).  I'm making a short trip today so I'll be on the lookout for it again.  The weights is a great tip since they're mostly stick-on these days.

[old2soon]

And have a look at the shock bushings. That wobble/shake/weird feel on my I/S has been because of bad shock bushings. Hope this helps you. RIDE SAFE.

[Grumpy]

Jack it up and take a real close look at the front tire, I had the same thing happen, and I found a place where the tire was starting to delaminate, could have been real bad if it came apart at speed.

[Gryphon Rider]

Jack it up and take a real close look at the front tire, I had the same thing happen, and I found a place where the tire was starting to delaminate, could have been real bad if it came apart at speed.

With the sudden start to forjj's symptoms, I'd suspect delamination too.

[forjj]

Jack it up and take a real close look at the front tire, I had the same thing happen, and I found a place where the tire was starting to delaminate, could have been real bad if it came apart at speed.

We have a winner!!! Yeah, the ?Shinko? tire that was on it was starting to delaminate, so I guess I will be replacing a tire that still had at least one season worth of tread on it.  Very disappointing.  Thanks for all them help, I am definitely going name brand on the tire, the previous owner had installed shinko front and rear, so now I am thinking about 2 new tires, maybe even going to the darkside....

[forjj]

I'm just glad I made it home okay.  It is a scary thing to see on a tire, knowing you were riding it a few days ago...


jj

[old2soon]

Jack it up and take a real close look at the front tire, I had the same thing happen, and I found a place where the tire was starting to delaminate, could have been real bad if it came apart at speed.

We have a winner!!! Yeah, the ?Shinko? tire that was on it was starting to delaminate, so I guess I will be replacing a tire that still had at least one season worth of tread on it.  Very disappointing.  Thanks for all them help, I am definitely going name brand on the tire, the previous owner had installed shinko front and rear, so now I am thinking about 2 new tires, maybe even going to the darkside....

   Curious-what is the model # of the Shinko that gave you the problem?? T I A. RIDE SAFE.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Jack it up and take a real close look at the front tire, I had the same thing happen, and I found a place where the tire was starting to delaminate, could have been real bad if it came apart at speed.

We have a winner!!! Yeah, the ?Shinko? tire that was on it was starting to delaminate, so I guess I will be replacing a tire that still had at least one season worth of tread on it.  Very disappointing.  Thanks for all them help, I am definitely going name brand on the tire, the previous owner had installed shinko front and rear, so now I am thinking about 2 new tires, maybe even going to the darkside....

   Curious-what is the model # of the Shinko that gave you the problem?? T I A. RIDE SAFE.

I am also curious of the model shinko as I saw good write ups and just bought an se 890 for mine when it goes soon.

[forjj]

I looked over it a little closer, and it was separating in several places, the biggest one was probably 6-8" long.  I bought the bike a little over 2 years ago, and it had new tires.  I've put about 7K on the tires, so I was expecting them to get me at least half-way through next year.
I copied pretty much everything that was on the tire, for anyone that wanted the info:

Shinko F747  150/80R17 M/C 72H   Max Speed 210 km/H 131 MPH

So, not to ask a loaded question, but any thoughts on what brand to buy???

jj

[Oklahoma_Valk]

maybe even going to the darkside....

 

205 55 R16
Goodyear TripleTread

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I looked over it a little closer, and it was separating in several places, the biggest one was probably 6-8" long.  I bought the bike a little over 2 years ago, and it had new tires.  I've put about 7K on the tires, so I was expecting them to get me at least half-way through next year.
I copied pretty much everything that was on the tire, for anyone that wanted the info:

Shinko F747  150/80R17 M/C 72H   Max Speed 210 km/H 131 MPH

So, not to ask a loaded question, but any thoughts on what brand to buy???

jj

I've had a Cobra delaminate/split on me and I kept the pressure right for those that blame that. Sometimes just a bad run. Have been a few on here get the new shinko se890 journeys and been happy, thats what I bought and have in waiting as my front is getting close to needing replaced. Got at motorcycle superstore online for $130 shipped and had it in 2 days 

[Ricky-D]

It's pretty hard to recognize a ply separation (delamination) while the tire is on the bike. It doesn't stand out very much usually.

It takes a close inspection of the tire and rotating the tire will reveal the separation much easier.

I know I rode with a ply separation of the front tire for quite a few miles before it got so bad (bulging) that a friend told me about it. I never had a clue.

The common thread here is that it was a Shinko also.

The lesson here is to do a close and thorough inspection for this particular failure not every day but for sure, once in a while to keep it from sneaking up on you.  It's a danger lurking in the shadows.

It is especially important to do the inspection if you have had to repair the tire at some time.

***

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

It's pretty hard to recognize a ply separation (delamination) while the tire is on the bike. It doesn't stand out very much usually.

It takes a close inspection of the tire and rotating the tire will reveal the separation much easier.

I know I rode with a ply separation of the front tire for quite a few miles before it got so bad (bulging) that a friend told me about it. I never had a clue.

The common thread here is that it was a Shinko also.

The lesson here is to do a close and thorough inspection for this particular failure not every day but for sure, once in a while to keep it from sneaking up on you.  It's a danger lurking in the shadows.

It is especially important to do the inspection if you have had to repair the tire at some time.

***

Tru Dat, I had my tire off for rear driveline service when I noticed it and never saw when ON the bike.

[forjj]

It's pretty hard to recognize a ply separation (delamination) while the tire is on the bike. It doesn't stand out very much usually.

It takes a close inspection of the tire and rotating the tire will reveal the separation much easier.

I know I rode with a ply separation of the front tire for quite a few miles before it got so bad (bulging) that a friend told me about it. I never had a clue.

The common thread here is that it was a Shinko also.

The lesson here is to do a close and thorough inspection for this particular failure not every day but for sure, once in a while to keep it from sneaking up on you.  It's a danger lurking in the shadows.

It is especially important to do the inspection if you have had to repair the tire at some time.

***

Very good point.  As I mentioned, I heard an increased road noise before I got the wobble.  We stopped to layer-up, and checked over my tire, but never noticed the tread starting to separate.  The lesson I have learned is to trust your ears.  If it doesn't sound right, figure out why before riding any farther.

jj