how serious is this front end wobble?

[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!

[Biker Dash]

The ONLY time I had ANY issue with ANY sort of wobble with my Nomad was when I was on tires that were badly cupped. (They were like that when I bought the bike.) And even then, it was VERY minor. New tires fixed the issue. I had a bit of a wabble issue with the V-Max and the Shadow 750 I owned previously. In both instances, it was only when I reached a certain speed, caused by uneven air flow over the windshield I had mounted on each bike.

Basically, it was not the bike in any case with me. In one case, the previous owner did not care for the tires properly, allowing uneven wear. With the Honda and Yamaha bikes, it was something that I did not mount properly that caused the issue. In all three cases... HUMAN error.

[DragonLady58]

Weeeeeell, I worry about loosing my tire pressure while riding at 70 mph, so I use a tpms....
Don't worry about a wobble until one pops up. If you wanna worry, worry about people texting and trying to make you into a hood ornament.
My 2001 Nomad is rock solid at all speeds, hands on the bars or not....as are the Vaqueros. Ride and enjoy your like new ride....
Some people worry about the sky falling, don't worry about it till it does! Keep up on your main. schedule, check tire pressure often, keep all your filters clean and you shouldn't have any problems!
Its a machine, just like your car....shits gonna happen and things are gonna break, when it does, have it repaired then suck it up and ride!!!!

[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.

[recumbentbob]

I just couldn't resist.....

[Top Cat]

I was going to post that but Bob beat me to it.
That has got to sting with only a t-shirt on
Especially the way the bike is pushing him down the road for awhile.

[smokier]

I cringed while watching...

[MAS Tequila]

It looked like the back end of that bike had already started before the video started.

That's not a front end wobble, that my freinds is an honest to God TANK SLAPPER.

The one I had started with the rear moving pout of alignment with the front.

My case was due to a sand drift in a curve, his looks like maybe a pothole or something.

But the rear wheel looked to come out of alignment, starting before the beginning of the clip.

[Sabre-t]

I saw an article where the woman who recorded this (and also helped to get him and the bike off the road) said that he got a wobble (tank slapper, whatever) 6, yes 6, times in 10 minutes before she started recording. She figured it was an accident waiting to happen and she wanted to record it in case he hurt anyone else when if finally happened. About 10 seconds into recording the 7th and final wobble started. He never once tried to slow down when the wobble (whatever) started. I hate to see anyone hurt, but it's his own fault.

It was in California and the guy got some serious injuries, though he was walking after the crash, and plenty of nasty road rash. Don't know the extent of any head injuries, but she said it looked very much like he broke his nose.

[DragonLady58]

OUCH!!!!! Thats the kinda crap that makes you wear leathers on hot days!
My skin grows back way too slowly these days to even watch that again!
I'm with MAS, started at the rear....didn't have both hands on handlebars.....not that it mattered.....
Look liked something came loose....or broke....
Thats the type of slapper that will cause you to start drinking....

[redjay]

Being as I am from the U.K this is what I know as a slapper :)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...slapper&page=2

A tank slapper is something completely different.

[recumbentbob]

Originally Posted by redjay

Being as I am from the U.K this is what I know as a slapper :)

http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...slapper&page=2

A tank slapper is something completely different.

Really
http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...m=tank+slapper

[redjay]

Correct.

[Kopperhed]

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.

nowhere near as serious as the V-Max "weave" at 120 mph

even though my Vaq had the hands-off headshake, it was still like a rock with hands on the bars & on the gas, to the point that I topped it out at 117 mph in 5th (not Ivan-ized, yet) with no shake or shudder or any hint of instability. The hands-off headshake is merely an indicator of a tire wearing funky or, more often than not, of your steering head bearings being in need of adjustment. After having the local Kawi dealer address the issue and coming up with blank stares, I opted for the All Balls tapered roller bearings, as have others. There are numerous other reports of 1700's NOT having this issue with the stock bearings. Mine did it with the original Bridgestone tire and the Michelin Commander.

....the old 1200 V-Max weave can be ameliorated with solid motor mounts, which the bike it was based on, the Venture, had.