BAD wobble(death wobble) after new tires

REVOMAN23 · 09-18-2015, 06:01 AM

Just replaced both front and back tires on 2015 Voyager 8000 mi.. Have Metzler 888 on there and almost immediately experienced the death wobble..If you dont have both hands on handlebars it has a wobble..This is happening on throttle more so than deceleration..You can set the cruise and let go one hand and almost instantly have the wobble...Took it back to dealer and we reset everything to specs,called Kawasaki,talked to Metzler and can find nothing out of the ordinary..We had it at the Kawasaki tire pressure I think was 28lbs and it was terrible..Reset it to metzler pressure of I think 42 and it was a lot less wobble..It doesnt do it all the time but it is something that is concerning..Now the original tire from stock had a weird "s" type wear pattern up the center of the tire but no wobble...My thinking is leading me back to the head bearings in the handlebars anyone else have this????Can the bearing just need to be snugged up a little..Any help would be appreciated Thanks Jeff

**smokier** · 09-18-2015, 08:03 AM

Greetings REVOMAN23,
That would be a bit unnerving! It seems to me the tell tale sign is the

Quote:

...Just replaced both front and back tires...

Curious as to what Metzler's response was? What was the dealer's thoughts?
AllBalls Racing http://www.allballsracing.com/22-1039.html has a replacement bearing set that many have used with great success to address front end wobble.

Ride safe,
Smokier

gv550 · 09-18-2015, 08:34 AM

The wobble is caused by using non-approved tires. Put new Bridgestones on and it will be back to normal. Many of us are using Michelin commanders with reasonable little wobble, and replacing the ball bearings in the steering head with tapered rollers also reduces the wobble.

REVOMAN23 · 09-18-2015, 08:57 AM

Thanks I will look into those bearings..

talon · 09-18-2015, 09:28 AM

Yes, it has happened to my Nomad and Vaq. The steering stem bearing needs a few more lbs of torque. Not too much though, you can damage the bearings. Both my bikes ride fine and can (if I wanted to) take my hands off the handelbars with no wobble. I am running Elite 3 tires front and back on the Vaquero and Michelin Commander II front and back on the Nomad.

samuel1688 · 09-18-2015, 11:58 AM

I had same problem on my 2014 voyager. Went to michelin commander ii and have good results.

Chuck A. · 09-18-2015, 07:58 PM

Got both front and rear Commander II coming in the mail from Denniskirk.com.

ABwell107 · 09-18-2015, 11:00 PM

Got about 10k on the Met triple 8's with maybe 3-5k left. Recently developed the "wobble", on throttle at speeds from 35 up to 90, had the stem steering bearings snugged up and the wobble went away...for now.

tonik · 09-19-2015, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talon

I am running Elite 3 tires front and back on the Vaquero and Michelin Commander II front and back on the Nomad.

Which do you prefer? I have used a few Michelin's on my Voyager and like them but am thinking the Elite's next time for the radials......

dlars · 09-19-2015, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REVOMAN23

Now the original tire from stock had a weird "s" type wear pattern up the center of the tire but no wobble.

You pretty much answered your own question. If it was fine one day, but the next day it had a wobble, with the only difference being new tires.....there's the cause, plus stem bearings normally are not an issue in only the 8000 miles you've stated are on the OEM tires. I had the exact same experience with the 888's plus they were loud. I really like the commander ll's now tho.....wobble gone. People with front end issues should not forget about fork servicing also, which also made my bike handle a lot better too. It's something that I and others tend to put off

**Iamriding** · 09-19-2015, 02:17 PM

I had a wobble a couple of months ago. The steering stem bearings needed to be tightened, but my Metzler 880 tire also had a hop in it. Bought a new Metzler, and it had a hop as well, so I ended up putting on a set of Pirelli MT66 tires and the wobble is gone as is my desire to purchase Metzler tires. As a side note, I found out after the purchase that Pirelli and Metzler share ownership, but the Pirellis seem fine.

REVOMAN23 · 09-20-2015, 12:13 AM

Thanks for all the information..I will be getting the bearing tightened shortly..Thanks to all Jeff

REVOMAN23 · 09-21-2015, 11:16 PM

Does anyone on here know a P/N or the size bearings for the steering stem on the 2015 Voyager or point me to where I can locate them to purchase..I think if I have to pay my dealer to adjust them for me I may as well go ahead and have them replaced..Thanks Jeff

Peg · 09-22-2015, 01:15 AM

I've replaced mine, and am very happy with the results... No more shake.

All Balls part# 22-1039. Search that part number online and you'll see they fit a large variety of bikes. They list all Voyagers up to '14, but I wouldn't imagine they've made any changes to the steering head for '15.

H8BUGZ · 09-22-2015, 09:47 AM

Hoping for a couple bearing installation tips here. As for the seals, can anyone confirm gv550's concern about the AllBalls seal not fitting correctly? (center hole too big)

The manual is a little vague- are the fork covers loose when you remove the tubes? Is there a monitor notch or an issue with lining them up or getting them tight upon reassembly?

Are most going by the bearing preload value or just tightening like one would do for a set of trailer bearings? Tighten to seat, back off, adjust to firm preload with a short grip on the wrench?

09-18-2015, 06:01 AM	#1
REVOMAN23 Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 8	BAD wobble(death wobble) after new tires Just replaced both front and back tires on 2015 Voyager 8000 mi.. Have Metzler 888 on there and almost immediately experienced the death wobble..If you dont have both hands on handlebars it has a wobble..This is happening on throttle more so than deceleration..You can set the cruise and let go one hand and almost instantly have the wobble...Took it back to dealer and we reset everything to specs,called Kawasaki,talked to Metzler and can find nothing out of the ordinary..We had it at the Kawasaki tire pressure I think was 28lbs and it was terrible..Reset it to metzler pressure of I think 42 and it was a lot less wobble..It doesnt do it all the time but it is something that is concerning..Now the original tire from stock had a weird "s" type wear pattern up the center of the tire but no wobble...My thinking is leading me back to the head bearings in the handlebars anyone else have this????Can the bearing just need to be snugged up a little..Any help would be appreciated Thanks Jeff Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by REVOMAN23; 09-18-2015 at 06:04 AM.
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09-18-2015, 08:34 AM	#3
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	The wobble is caused by using non-approved tires. Put new Bridgestones on and it will be back to normal. Many of us are using Michelin commanders with reasonable little wobble, and replacing the ball bearings in the steering head with tapered rollers also reduces the wobble. __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details.
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09-18-2015, 09:28 AM	#5
talon Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Van Buren, AR Posts: 462	Yes, it has happened to my Nomad and Vaq. The steering stem bearing needs a few more lbs of torque. Not too much though, you can damage the bearings. Both my bikes ride fine and can (if I wanted to) take my hands off the handelbars with no wobble. I am running Elite 3 tires front and back on the Vaquero and Michelin Commander II front and back on the Nomad. __________________ Heath Cady aka "Talon" VBA #01416 2012 Vaquero SE Candy-Lime Green/Black aka "T'Kehla" 2005 Nomad 1600 Black/Silver aka "Mystique" (SOLD) 2006 Vulcan Classic aka "Lil'Wolf" (SOLD) "Life isn't a race; no one gets out alive. May as well slow down and enjoy the ride." Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-18-2015, 11:58 AM	#6
samuel1688 Jr. Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Alvin,tx Posts: 5	wobble I had same problem on my 2014 voyager. Went to michelin commander ii and have good results.
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09-18-2015, 07:58 PM	#7
Chuck A. Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Hartselle Alabama Posts: 990	Got both front and rear Commander II coming in the mail from Denniskirk.com. __________________ Have A Good One, Chuck Patriot Guard Riders Sons Of Liberty Riders Alabama Road Captain 2015 Voyager 2003 1500 NOMAD FI sold 6/19 VBA #2993 RUSSELL DAYLONG SEATS ROCK!! DAMMIT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling "DAMMIT" at the top of your lungs There is no substitute for laminar flow in which a helmet is the primary disturbance. SO MANY ROADS, SO LITTLE TIME.
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09-18-2015, 08:57 AM	#4
REVOMAN23 Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 8	Thanks I will look into those bearings..
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09-18-2015, 11:00 PM	#8
ABwell107 Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 1	Got about 10k on the Met triple 8's with maybe 3-5k left. Recently developed the "wobble", on throttle at speeds from 35 up to 90, had the stem steering bearings snugged up and the wobble went away...for now.
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09-19-2015, 02:17 PM	#11
Iamriding Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 305	I had a wobble a couple of months ago. The steering stem bearings needed to be tightened, but my Metzler 880 tire also had a hop in it. Bought a new Metzler, and it had a hop as well, so I ended up putting on a set of Pirelli MT66 tires and the wobble is gone as is my desire to purchase Metzler tires. As a side note, I found out after the purchase that Pirelli and Metzler share ownership, but the Pirellis seem fine. __________________ 2003 Nomad 1500 Memphis Shades batwing fairing \| Chuckster dual plate BAK \| Dobeck EJK \| Mustang seat \| Victory Boardwalk handlebars \| Garry's fork brace with modified KLR fork boots
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09-20-2015, 12:13 AM	#12
REVOMAN23 Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 8	Thanks for all the information..I will be getting the bearing tightened shortly..Thanks to all Jeff
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09-21-2015, 11:16 PM	#13
REVOMAN23 Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 8	Does anyone on here know a P/N or the size bearings for the steering stem on the 2015 Voyager or point me to where I can locate them to purchase..I think if I have to pay my dealer to adjust them for me I may as well go ahead and have them replaced..Thanks Jeff
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09-22-2015, 01:15 AM	#14
Peg Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West Coast, North Island, New Zealand Posts: 1,375	I've replaced mine, and am very happy with the results... No more shake. All Balls part# 22-1039. Search that part number online and you'll see they fit a large variety of bikes. They list all Voyagers up to '14, but I wouldn't imagine they've made any changes to the steering head for '15. __________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like wrinkles in the duct tape '02 1500 blonde Nomad (Sold) '97 800 burgundy Classic (Sold)
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09-22-2015, 09:47 AM	#15
H8BUGZ Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midwest Posts: 273	Voyager Steering Bearing installation tips? Hoping for a couple bearing installation tips here. As for the seals, can anyone confirm gv550's concern about the AllBalls seal not fitting correctly? (center hole too big) The manual is a little vague- are the fork covers loose when you remove the tubes? Is there a monitor notch or an issue with lining them up or getting them tight upon reassembly? Are most going by the bearing preload value or just tightening like one would do for a set of trailer bearings? Tighten to seat, back off, adjust to firm preload with a short grip on the wrench?
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