Help! I'm losing it

[oldnewR3T]

Dear Rocket-meisters,

Need some guidance. I'm on a 2013 R3T with TORS, Ramair and factory TORS tune, RPM limiter off, derestricted with secondary removed. New brakes and Avon Cobras at the beginning of the season. A couple months ago I rev'd onto the highway, and at about 110, my front end went into the violent shakes. Scared the crap out of me, but managed to slow down and express gratitude for being alive. My attempt at diagnosing started by taking off the handy wind deflectors I bought from one of the guys on the forum, very nice by the way, thinking that a slight imbalance might have caused turbulence, and had the front wheel rechecked for balance. Then tried to stay away from those speeds out of the gate in case I am not so lucky next time. That was until today, when I couldn't help blasting off again. Sure enough, right around 100, the front end gets wonky. Clearly, the wind deflectors are not the culprit, but this is very depressing, as I don't recall having that problem in years past. Am I missing something obvious? Are the cobras not suited to those speeds? Haven't checked fork oil, but nothing seems loose up front. Any help is appreciated. Best, Steve

 

[scot in exile]

Avons are more than capable at 110mph(walking speed) check your steering nut for the correct tightness, might be using the wrong wording but it is located under the top yoke.

 

[Tripps]

Also low tire pressure.

 

[oldnewR3T]

Avons are more than capable at 110mph(walking speed) check your steering nut for the correct tightness, might be using the wrong wording but it is located under the top yoke.

Thanks for the quick response guys. I've been on top of tire pressure, but will check the steering nut, and hope to be 'walking' again.

 

[johnreeder]

I had the same problem. I changed the front tire and it went away. I use a Bridgestone front and a Run Flat Bridgestone on the rear. I really don't think it matters as to the brand, it probably had to do with the tire itself.

 

[TURBO200R4]

a lot of us has had a situation were at 40 -50 we take our hands off the bars and it starts to shake.
this will happen with different tire manufactures.
i just kept hands on bars till i got a new front tire. it was fine with the new tire
now anytime i have a tire installed i check it by slowly removing my hands till they r just behind the bars.
i have never had the 100+ shake except on a 59 bsa and it seemed like it was bouncing from one side of the road to the other. it also did the same while riding double about 50 when i topped a hill and there was a big chow dog in the road,

 

[1K9]

Dear Rocket-meisters,

Need some guidance. I'm on a 2013 R3T with TORS, Ramair and factory TORS tune, RPM limiter off, derestricted with secondary removed. New brakes and Avon Cobras at the beginning of the season. A couple months ago I rev'd onto the highway, and at about 110, my front end went into the violent shakes. Scared the crap out of me, but managed to slow down and express gratitude for being alive. My attempt at diagnosing started by taking off the handy wind deflectors I bought from one of the guys on the forum, very nice by the way, thinking that a slight imbalance might have caused turbulence, and had the front wheel rechecked for balance. Then tried to stay away from those speeds out of the gate in case I am not so lucky next time. That was until today, when I couldn't help blasting off again. Sure enough, right around 100, the front end gets wonky. Clearly, the wind deflectors are not the culprit, but this is very depressing, as I don't recall having that problem in years past. Am I missing something obvious? Are the cobras not suited to those speeds? Haven't checked fork oil, but nothing seems loose up front. Any help is appreciated. Best, Steve

Sounds like a tire pressure issue to me. Front and back or just one of them. Yank on your front forks back and forth... Is there any play? Humm? The lower deflectors help mine

 

[Navigator]

My Touring got the shakes when I took my hands off the bars at about 90. Not bad but not something I enjoyed. I replaced the Metz with an Avon and at 100 MPH it was rock solid with my hands off the bars. Haven't had it much over 100.

Another thing to consider is front end alignment. Triumph gets a bit sloppy on the front ends and if you look down at speed you might notice that your bars are slightly misaligned. It's an easy fix but I just can't recall what it is. Has to do with loosening up the triple trees, front axle bolt etc and then tightening all back up. I'd check that along with the torque on the steering head nut.

 

[oldnewR3T]

My Touring got the shakes when I took my hands off the bars at about 90. Not bad but not something I enjoyed. I replaced the Metz with an Avon and at 100 MPH it was rock solid with my hands off the bars. Haven't had it much over 100.

Another thing to consider is front end alignment. Triumph gets a bit sloppy on the front ends and if you look down at speed you might notice that your bars are slightly misaligned. It's an easy fix but I just can't recall what it is. Has to do with loosening up the triple trees, front axle bolt etc and then tightening all back up. I'd check that along with the torque on the steering head nut.

I'll look into the steering nuts this weekend, but the alignment will have to wait till winter. Now that you mention it, I remember feeling very confident with the prior tire and no hands at low speed, and never had a problem on the highway. I was always impressed with the Rocket's rock solid feel at speed. Now I do get the shakes even at low speed and no hands, and getting nervous at speed, which is not why we have these things. There is no play in my fork front to back, tire pressure very consistent and no unusual wear. Hate to give up the Avon front as it is much smoother in the turns than the Metz and no cupping for the first time. will keep digging. Thanks!

 

[Jag]

I’d lean towards the tire. Try ride on tire sealant/balancer before you scrap the tire. http://www.ride-on.com/