how serious is this front end wobble?

[atmosphere0284]

Whats up everyone? I have a 2014 Vaquero I purchased last summer I have 250 miles on the thing because I'm contemplating trading it in after reading all these threads on front end wobble. Is this affecting all nomads/vaqueros/voyagers? Certain years? I don't want to be stuck with a bike that I'm constantly having to worry about.

[H8BUGZ]

250 miles total on bike or you have only ridden it 250 miles? Either way it may be under warranty depending on date of sale or if you bought it new last summer.

[atmosphere0284]

Originally Posted by H8BUGZ

250 miles total on bike or you have only ridden it 250 miles? Either way it may be under warranty depending on date of sale or if you bought it new last summer.

bought brand new last summer. 250 total miles. i fear the wobble.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by atmosphere0284

bought brand new last summer. 250 total miles. i fear the wobble.

How much riding experience do you actually have ?

[atmosphere0284]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

How much riding experience do you actually have ?

Been riding since 2006.

2006 GSXR 600 (sold)
2006 GSXR 1000
2013 V Star 1300 Deluxe (traded for the Vaquero)
2014 Vaquero

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by atmosphere0284

Been riding since 2006.

2006 GSXR 600 (sold)
2006 GSXR 1000
2013 V Star 1300 Deluxe (traded for the Vaquero)
2014 Vaquero

Well the " Wobble" was just as real with all your other bikes. There is no difference nor is the Vaquero any different than any of the other bikes you have owned. There is "NO UNIQUE" problems with any of the Vulcans concerning "Wobble". Any statements you have read about wobble are the same statements you can find on any motorcycle forum on the internet no matter what the brand. The Vulcans usually have heavy feeling front ends, if you are feeling a wobble in your front, you need to take it in to find out what the problem may be.

[yoda]

Originally Posted by atmosphere0284

Been riding since 2006.

2006 GSXR 600 (sold)
2006 GSXR 1000
2013 V Star 1300 Deluxe (traded for the Vaquero)
2014 Vaquero

Not to be nit picking, but if you have ridden the other bikes to the same extent you are riding the Vaquero, in the past 11 years you have ridden a total of 2750 miles. That is not really enough to be considered an experienced rider. Not a negative, but it does explain why you have some of the questions you do. Read the book, Proficient Motorcycling, take the experienced MSF course, and practice what you read/learn. 2500 miles is a good month of riding for some folks, and my wife and I generally do close to that in a week or so during a summer vacation. My wife has ridden 50,000 + miles on her bikes in the last 13-14 years, and she rides less than I do. With miles, comes a better understanding of the bike's dynamics and nuances, and you will be able to identify what is a quirk and what is a genuine concern.

[MAS Tequila]

It's something that will affect any bike, no matter what brand, if the maintenance isn't kept up with.

You also have to remember that this group, and most groups of riders except for squid groups, are usually made up of older gentlemen.

And older guys, like older women, like to sit around and beat a dead horse way past any point of reason, then down the road someone else comes along and brings the same point up again, and that poor old dead horse gets drug back out and beaten some more.

You Vaq isn't any more susceptible to a front end wobble than Gus's new Harley, unless you refuse to do the required maintenance and keep safe undeformed tires on it.

I've seen guys hear of some ultra rare issue and imagine it happening to them and worrying themselves to death about it.

To the point where riding ceased to be enjoyable for them.

They either stop riding or trade their bike for something else with different imagined issues.

I have a 2003 Nomad with over 140000 miles on it.

It still has the original neck bearings and has never had a front end wobble.

So go ride your bike and don't worry about it.

[atmosphere0284]

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

It's something that will affect any bike, no matter what brand, if the maintenance isn't kept up with.

You also have to remember that this group, and most groups of riders except for squid groups, are usually made up of older gentlemen.

And older guys, like older women, like to sit around and beat a dead horse way past any point of reason, then down the road someone else comes along and brings the same point up again, and that poor old dead horse gets drug back out and beaten some more.

You Vaq isn't any more susceptible to a front end wobble than Gus's new Harley, unless you refuse to do the required maintenance and keep safe undeformed tires on it.

I've seen guys hear of some ultra rare issue and imagine it happening to them and worrying themselves to death about it.

To the point where riding ceased to be enjoyable for them.

They either stop riding or trade their bike for something else with different imagined issues.

I have a 2003 Nomad with over 140000 miles on it.

It still has the original neck bearings and has never had a front end wobble.

So go ride your bike and don't worry about it.

Advice taken. I am really good at staying on top of maintenance so I guess I'm over thinking this. I guess its time for the ECU to go to Ivan and hopefully my eggs wont scramble as bad due to a cooler running bike.

[dumbo]

long time reader not much on posting. I have had seven bikes in 20 yrs. all have had a wobble at 40 to fifty mph with hands off the bars. went with all balls and still they wobbled. Don't worry about it. Keep your hands on the bars and get out and ride.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by dumbo

long time reader not much on posting. I have had seven bikes in 20 yrs. all have had a wobble at 40 to fifty mph with hands off the bars. went with all balls and still they wobbled. Don't worry about it. Keep your hands on the bars and get out and ride.

Something was wrong with all seven of your scoots. You should be able to drop your arms and ride straight at 70+ miles per hour. As long as you have the bike balanced out properly that is.

[dave m]

i had wobble, tank slapper when i was 19 or so and had both hands on the bars and i do not know how i did not go down. even bikes in the 80's had the wobble, just ride it

[mike07nad]

Mr Atmosphere0284 - I have had 3 Voyagers 2009, 2013, 2014. All three at some point had a wobble if you removed your hands from the bars. As long as you kept 1 hand on the bars it NEVER WOBBLED. Note - they did not always wobble nor did it bother me. It annoyed me (Cause I tend to be a perfectionist). I did find that certain brands of front tires wobbled worse. Least to worse: OEM Bridgestones, Metzler 888, Commander II, Dunlop Elite's ( Have not tried the American Eagle Elites - I love their rear tires).

If you do develop a wobble - first thing I would try are the All Balls Tapered head bearings - They will not replace them under warranty but it removed any wobble on 2 of my bikes. Tightening and greasing OEM bearing is a waist of time (my opinion) - All the dealer ever did was over tighten them and it drove bad.

Right now I have a combination of All Balls Bearings and a Fork Brace that add additional stiffness to the front end. Since I've added the Bearings and the brace - I can remove my hands from bars at any speed with out a wobble.

You need to put some miles on that bike - with only 250 miles you have not had your first Oil Change or first service done. Probably still has the breaking oil in it. Go ride that thing. Keep your hands on the bars (You really should do that anyway). Break it in.

While Ivans reflash is the best thing anyone with a 1700 can do - Don't waist your money if you aren't gonna ride it. It will not solve your perceived wobble issue. Put the $350 toward a bike you will ride.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by atmosphere0284

Whats up everyone? I have a 2014 Vaquero I purchased last summer I have 250 miles on the thing because I'm contemplating trading it in after reading all these threads on front end wobble. Is this affecting all nomads/vaqueros/voyagers? Certain years? I don't want to be stuck with a bike that I'm constantly having to worry about.

Has it ever happened to you on this bike? If not, you're worrying about something you may never see. Do you fear the boogie man, too?

[MAS Tequila]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Has it ever happened to you on this bike? If not, you're worrying about something you may never see. Do you fear the boogie man, too?

I AM the boogie man.

Just ask the ex-wife!