2008 Nomad Shaking

[jay02904]

Hello all...I noticed that my front end/wheel/handlebars shake a lot especially when I let off the throttle at lower speeds or when I am maybe in too high of a gear. The bars shake back and forth, just went in to the dealer for 4,000 mile check and they say all is good. Is this a normal variable when slowing down/decel.? I know we shouldn't take both hands of the bars but if I do it shakes violently. Any ideas? Thanks much.

[phenrichs]

Nomads to wobble at around 20-40 if you let go of the bars. Mostly on deceleration. It can be reduced in some cases but most of us have just learned to live with it and not let go of the bars at certain speeds. You may be able to reduce it by checking the torque on the steering stem nut. I would call the dealer and ask if they spefically checked that.

[blowndodge]

There is a very narrow window of moderate shaking I've noticed at about 1500-1600 RPMs. It's normal.

[dogdoc]

Hang onto the bars all the time and I notice no wobble.

[ringadingh]

Its usually a tire wear thing most times, especially with ME880's. Mine shook from a wobble to getting really bad as the tire wore. I replaced it with a Dunlop and its been fine all season so far.

[ndbigfish]

No wobble on my '99' with Dunlops or Bridgestones. Can't say the same for a buddie's Heritage Softail. But the '99' doesn't leak, drip or smoke. I'd check the tire wear like Ring says. Love the '99'. ;)

[macmac]

Most of the wobbles are caused by a 1/2 worn junk OEM tires.. You haven't even felt how these bikes can handle with the crap for tires they have on it.

I know it will cost a few bucks but get some real tires...

[Yellow Jacket]

I don't think it's normal for the front to wobble, even if you take your hands off the bars.

I've got almost 17,000 on the original Bridgestone front tire on my 2006 and I've never had the front end wobble at any speed, with at least one hand on the bars.

I can take both hands off the bars at any speed above 20 mph and it will track straight as an arrow.

Maybe I'm just lucky with mine?

[blowndodge]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

Hang onto the bars all the time and I notice no wobble.

<marquee>and that my friends is one of the 95%er's </marquee>

[Kawhead]

Check your air pressure. I liked 38 fore and aft, I wouldn't go any lower. My choice of tire is Dunlap.

[trip]

Kaw Head is right.....first, check your air pressure on your front tire. You also may have to have it re-balanced. If your tire is worn, replace it.

You shouldn't have any wobbling at all on the front tire, even if you let go with both hands.

[classic1]

My 06 would shake at 40 mph from day one. Didn't feel it as much on accel because of the hand grip/pressure on the bars. but on decel it would almost take slap (with no hands on the bars). The dealer checked the steering bearings and no fix. I checked the bearings and no fix. Continued to shake until I had a ME880 put on front. Has been smooth ever since. The dealer said " don't tell Kawasaki about the no hands". He also contacted Kaw so that they would have my problem on file. He said Kaw had no reports on front end wobble/shake on the bikes.

[bfancett]

I have an 08 as well, with all stock tires and I experience no wobble regardless of what gear or speed I am going, wheter I drive with both hands, one hand, or no hands. My guess would be that you have probably hit too many potholes and need to get the tires rebalanced. Also, check your rims for dings and dents along the wall, even the smallest dent can cause some shaking in my experience.

[macmac]

At 4,000 miles I bet the ft tire has scallops... I know I am hard on these bricks, but the simple fact as I see it is they SUCK. I wore out 2 sets and they both sucked.

I wore out one set crossing from MH to Cal and got german metz, went 6,000 on these till the bike was stolen.

Bought the 06 to replace the 01 and since it was used with 1,41 miles that day as new to me I couldn't force the dealer for anything else.

Wore out the rear last year and installed a SP 5000 ct and then this year did the ft with a Dunlop Radial. On the new pavement on I-93 it is scarery smooth riding... I am not used to new pavement with no flaws..

[jay02904]

thank you all for the input! steering bearings were good. tire pressure was low, adjusted and still got the shake...didn't think of balancing the tire, good idea. i think i will ride them out this year (dealer says the bike is safe) and get new tires...dealer suggests metzlers, you guys have good suggestions for tires? the stock ones feel like they want to "slip" out on hard leaning angles. thanks again!

~J.