What Causes The Harley Davidson Death Wobble

[@Chris-0113]

Thanks for posting. It's easy to forget about the little things like bearings when you're servicing your bike. I'll be doing mine this weekend thanks to your video. Thanks again.

[@jackblack3886]

Just found your channel. A lifetime of great advice here. Just changed front tire. Going right back out to check bearing. Thank you for the life saving advice plus I'll be using the mirror advice as well. Glad to see you on the right side of the grass!!

[@DeathProofProductions]

Thanks glad to help.

[@bondradman7353]

Japanese bikes I've owned have never had a problem with wheel bearings, even those with big mileages. (125 000 miles). I also would never wash a road bike with a pressure washer.

[@DeathProofProductions]

I agree I quit doing it a few years back after I turned a rock chip in the paint into a blown off chunk of paint. Got to thinking why run the risk blowing water into places it doesn't belong.

[@davejohnson2540]

exactly

[@jeffstonecipher1594]

Good heads up on power washing -makes a lot of sense. Felt a bit of relief that I only bucket wash my RKC. 2 other contributors I think are worth noting: periodic checks for broken/loose spokes (which come standard on RKC's w/wide whites and many other models). Also from that now infamous video we've all seen @ 0:17 of that guy going down -2 things: He was loaded heavy towards the rear (also looked like he had the rear lowered), and he had a narrower aftermarket front wheel that the bike was never intended/properly balanced to ride on -both things creating a huge imbalance towards the rear of the bike as it starts to wobble and go down. There may have been other contributors in that specific instance -but those are the two main things I pay attention to about twin-cams from that era like I have. And really any bike -spokes, weight imbalance. And now NO powerwash! Good video😉

[@DeathProofProductions]

The bad thing is I did it myself, and I'm a freaking tech but I was young and learning.

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

Wow dam good video. I guarantee 70% of riders have zero idea about this.

[@DeathProofProductions]

The bad thing is I got buddies that I ride with that don't stay on top of there maintenance. They hear me preach it and they wait till they almost go down before fixing it.

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

@@DeathProofProductions man that’s messed up. If it’s any consolation I’ll be keeping an eye on my bikes bearings. That’s for sure I had tank slap happen to me once. It wasn’t from wheel bearings though the bike was brand new off the show room floor. The only thing I can think caused it was a tar line in the road. I switched lanes on the freeway and the second I went over the expansion joint line all heck broke loose. Only thing that saved me was full throttling it scared the absolute heck out of me. I was doing at least 90 mph probably closer to 100.

[@donharrison7607]

Man, it's great to hear a voice of reason on this topic. People want to think the motor company is making bikes which are inherently unstable and prone to wobble...it just doesn't make sense. Any time you read a forum on the topic, all of a sudden it seems like every dude reading the forum (and how many individuals could that be) has had a "death wobble" . It seems almost like a "me too" syndrome. Well, I don't want it, have never come anywhere close to having it, and have always thought there has to be some logical explanation. Instead of some forum where you have maybe a hundred guys reading it yet 50% or more have experienced it supposedly.. and a lot of them tell the story that they took the bike to the dealer repeatedly with extensive work done sometimes replacing the whole frame etc and it still does it. Come on and there's got to be something going on there I think this person is riding on raingrooves and calling that death wobble.

[@chloehood6355]

Strange, i have owned almost all the bikes you can list without a tank slapper over 55 years. But not a harley davidson!!!! I will never own a bike where you need a degree in engineering just to be able to use it. Its a chore. R ( Currently with a v max, hardly have to touch, and FJR the same)

[@insanedb]

bearings is just one possible cause, but it has to be more with the poor design of the bike, harleys specifically

[@chadsimmons6347]

I bought a low miles bike, a heavy Road King that steers ok but last owner bragged about the weekly pressure wash (thankx)

[@tyrannyresponseteam9534]

I just purchased my first used Harley 2006 Ultra Classic, 19,000 miles. I'm finding out many things that could, and or will end up being a problem, costing way more money than I think should be spent on a motorcycle that cost a lot of money to begin with. I see many video's saying what these issues are and I've come to my own conclusion......It's a Harley.

[@ToyMaestro]

do you recommend a harley or a yamaha bolt ?

[@tyrannyresponseteam9534]

@@ToyMaestro I have to be honest I really enjoy riding the Harley, I don't ride it a lot but when I do it's a fun motorcycle. I don't know anything about the Yamaha.

[@elphabama]

Thanks for putting up this vid i have learnt a lot from watching it, thanks Brother

[@maxxbenzz7842]

Never even crossed my mind about pressure washing. Oops😮 Thanks

[@Sway1177]

There's also the neck bearings, worn motor mounts and or lack of fork braces.

[@DeathProofProductions]

That's absolutely true. I should have touched on the motor mounts ,since I personally seen it happen to my buddy's 03 ultra. Me and his brother were riding out west last year and a mild one happened to him. We stopped at a motel and I looked the bike over and asked him have he ever serviced the front end. When he told me no I tore the forks apart and at 117000 miles the bushings were shot. Rebuilt it and finished the last 3000 miles with no issue's.

[@TheRumbles13]

Or just buy Japanese

[@timcastens1150]

I got an Ole Intruder it happened once, I think it's because my tires were low, but once it started and slowing made it worse I gunned it and it came out of it, I'm not saying try that but I did and it worked

[@DeathProofProductions]

Low tire pressure can do it for sure, I we used to call that getting squarrly.

[@timcastens1150]

@@DeathProofProductions while I'm thinking about it what pulled me out of the wobble did the same when I had a rear blowout at 60 or so as the speed decreased the fish tailing was increasing and I did that same maneuver I guess you'd call it until I was able to get it off the pavement and into a ditch, the factor that kept me from dropping it both instances was torque. That applied torque pushes you straight if only for an instant, doing that several times was how I didn't drop it with my wife on back, she froze and that was a good thing. Enjoyed your piece 👍

[@bigbeef8935]

Causes it because Harley will never admit to it! Been a problem for years. I have a 22 CVO street glide and it did it . I changed the Dunlop HD tires out (junk!) and legend suspension front and rear. And no it’s not the Fn wheel bearings, I’ve had two brand new ones and they did it

[@DeathProofProductions]

iv worked as a certified harley tech since 2002. in that time iv rode thousands of bikes I own 17 two of which iv put over a 100000 miles on riding all around the country with my pals and I have never seen it happen without a cause. like I stated in the video of all the wrecked bikes I've repaired that had vehical instability, there was a mechanical issue or road conditions that caused it. but if your referring to the the weave that rubber mounted bikes have in curves, then we are not talking about the same thing.

[@bitchinbob2045]

Dude, an outstanding video.

[@DeathProofProductions]

Thanks

[@SaddleTrampTV]

Interestingly enough though; you only hear about that happening on the touring models and dynas and not so much on the non-rubber mounted engine bikes.

[@DeathProofProductions]

It's true that the dyna and touring bikes can experience a bit of a weave cornering hard . More noticable on uneven asphalt but its not what me or the mechanics i have worked with define as the death wobble. I feel like since it's really a generic term that it gets applied to deferent things for deferent people. I had one guy comment that every time he hits 130 mph it does it on his touring bike, to me and the guys I wrenched with that's a high speed wobble normally caused by air buffeting since it stops when he slows down. When we say death wobble we mean vehicle instability and your most likley about to hit the ground. I've got 110000 miles on my dyna and just like all the ones I test rode, it weaves when i bank hard but it's never been something thats concerned me.

[@bigjoe805]

Thank You! You’re saving lives !

[@anonoyingmuck8071]

stupid mechanical issues with modern tech should not exist. keep the specs

[@DearMr.Fantasy]

Would never dream of using a pressure washer on my bike. That water is being forced into places it was never meant to be.

[@DeathProofProductions]

I agree took me years to realize that but after blowing off a chunk of clear coat and spending 400 to fix it along time ago I learned.

[@davejohnson2540]

So he did inspections for insurance companies? Don't the insurance companies have a disclaimer for mechanical failure so they are not liable? And why does this not happen on a gold wing, or BMWs, or Ducati?

[@DeathProofProductions]

No there is not exclusions for mechanical failure there is alot of other exclusions but not that one.

[@JohnBrown-vn2qw]

Harleys are shit

[@SonsoftheRevolution1776]

It definitely happens on them.

[@timbarnett3898]

Rear luggage bag started wipping around certainly not helping control. Was bike overloaded an How much over vehicle weigh rating? When was tire pressure checked last? An what was tire pressure at time of event?

[@DeathProofProductions]

Defenantly things that can cause vehicle instability.

[@mattsta1964]

Heavy panniers on Harleys can make the front end too light

[@kevinblane5281]

Not only does he drink the Kool-Aid he makes it

[@DeathProofProductions]

Mmm Electric Kool-Aid

[@lotsofkgmanable]

Did you make a video on Fall away adjustment?

[@DeathProofProductions]

Yes the 10k service one

[@mikeoc217]

I hadda new Cross Bones that did it. Wasn't bearings bent rim odd tire wear. I'm not sure only did it once in a while? Dangerous I'll say that thankfully I tamped it down before disaster each time.

[@DeathProofProductions]

Cross bones Springer front end I wasn't thinking about them when I filmed that I should have. Springer front ends have a lot more mechanical caveats. Just like on my 1942 Springer flathead. Was it at about 40 to 45 mph.

[@mikeoc217]

@@DeathProofProductions Ya I've been riding since the 70's. Had a bunch of different scoots that Bones was the only bike that's ever spooked me riding with folks. Ya just never knew what road conditions would get that thing vibrating/wobbling. It did it once in a group & had a girl on back. Took every trick in the book to keep it strait. Scared the other riders more then me. I was to busy keeping the girl & I up right. Solved that problem with a new Sport Glide. Good luck ride safe 👍🇺🇸

[@leedavis2335]

@@DeathProofProductions Yes! I have an 09 Crossbones with the Springer front end and am getting the shake wobble at 40-45mph. I did have the rear tire replaced as the original was cupping but still doing it. The wobble isnt violent so far, in fact if I keep both hands on the grips it is fine yet if remove either hand it starts to rapidly shake the bars. Any thoughts? I ask because you mentioned exactly 40-45 condition, Thanks for the video.

[@jdcastillocastillo3492]

the over loaded rear of the bike in the video might also have more to do with "death wobble"than wheel bearings .Don'T over look the obvoius.just because you can does'nt mean you should!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@DeathProofProductions]

I just used that vid as a reference.

[@davejohnson2540]

Soooo why is it a Harley death wobble and not a BMW, or Yamaha, or KTM death wobble? So poor design?

[@dcxplant]

Harley's are sensitive to maladjusted and worn parts more so than some other brands. Take of your Hog.

[@davysanders2441]

Have 2 brand new cvos they both do it one at 115 one at 95 so when ever you are ready let me no

[@DeathProofProductions]

Your talking about high speed wobbles one's above the speed limit. I was referring to the one's customers have told me about within legal speed limits. My Suzuki gsxr 750 does it at 120, I figured out if I accelarate through it than it settles down but on some bikes you have to roll off throttle. From researching it I figure mine is caused by air buffering. At high speed there is less weight on the front tire making it suseptable to effects of air and rode conditions. Also what do you mean when I'm ready let you know?

[@randymccalla9995]

You must not believe the California Highway Patrol test, has a new bike with new wheel bearings.. You have no Idea what caused that wreck 🎱

[@DeathProofProductions]

A good wrench always knows. It's like forensic science the machine never lies.

[@randymccalla9995]

And when someone has had that wobble, and stopped It they know even more.⭐

[@chrisyln8808]

What a load of shite my bike is new and it dose the wobble if I go over 80mph

[@DeathProofProductions]

What model is it. Also have you checked to see if the wheels are trued and the swingarm is torqued correctly. If it's rubber mounted i would check the engine mounts and stabilizer link at the top. I've test rode thousands of new bikes when I worked for the dealership plus all the ones I worked on and anytime there was a vehical instability issue it was always something mechanical. Even factory made mistakes on new one's. That's why they have the dealer tech do inspections before it's sold. Have you taken it back to the dealer?

[@Chris-0113]

Just because your bike is new doesn't mean it was assembled properly. No bike should wobble at 80mph if everything is right. Better figure it out bro before it turns you into a statistic.

[@ranchodeluxe1]

@@jonathondaniels2011 bullshit. Just stop

[@white_devil73]

And you haven't taken it to the dealer to have it fixed yet? Here's your sign.

[@TheDudeFromAus]

Tell the truth. It's the rubber mounts for the engine and swingarm. It is a design fault which is well known. Buy a triumph instead.

[@DeathProofProductions]

the truth is, eric buell copied the rubber mount design from the norton commando. you may notice the frame is very similar . you dont here about the norton magically killing riders. you just here about it now in the age of the internet. monkey see monkey do . by the way one of the bikes i have out of the seventeen i own and ride is a triumph. i own a norton commando and and a atlas. none of them have death wobbled yet. my dyna doesnt do it, my flh doesnt do it. it has never happend to me in the 26 years that i have been doing it for a living but some how your a death wobble expert .

[@TheDudeFromAus]

@@DeathProofProductions no I'm not a death wobble expert. I'd never own a Harley. A Harley is basically a noisy clown suit. I don't really care why they get death wobbles.

[@davisworth5114]

Wheel bearings have nothing to do with speed wobbles!

[@DeathProofProductions]

The video was about what people call death wobbles which is also called vehicle instability. If you watch my wheel bearing replacement vid you can see that I cought it just in time before I went down also I said it could be multiple mechanical problems. Speed wobbles are caused by air buffering or imbalanced bike center of gravity.

[@TejenderPrasad]

Solution - switch to Yamaha,Kawasaki or KTM.

[@kevinhogan715]

I don't pressure wash my sweetheart.

[@DeathProofProductions]

That's smart