Help! I'm losing it

[sonny]

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

My experience was about the same. Bike would start to wobble around 110 mph. Really doubt it is the new tire. After much frustration of trying to cure the problem we went forward and replaced front fork springs with a set of Progressive. Same time frame we replaced the neck bearings and packed with high quality grease. Also replaced front wheel bearings. Wobble is long gone. 130 mph and smooth. Stock neck bearings i believe was the problem. Very disappointed with the lube used on stock bearings. Resulted in premature wear of bearings. It don't matter how many times you adjust the headstock if the bearings are shot.

 

[uforocket3]

I had and still have the same issue - only since changing to avon whitewalls - advised it could be the steering yoke not being torqued correctly - can't take my hands off the bars as the bloody thing shakes like a mad thing

 

[Tripps]

I had and still have the same issue - only since changing to avon whitewalls - advised it could be the steering yoke not being torqued correctly - can't take my hands off the bars as the bloody thing shakes like a mad thing

I found that new tires fixed it for about 1000 miles, but when they started cupping, it returned. When I complained to my dealer the first time I noticed it, he said well don't take your hands off the bars then.

 

[jake shaw]

I had and still have the same issue - only since changing to avon whitewalls - advised it could be the steering yoke not being torqued correctly - can't take my hands off the bars as the bloody thing shakes like a mad thing

I had the problem with Avon Whitewalls also. I kept them until they wore out ( just rode at the sweet spot speeds). Checked the head bearings also. New tires cured the problem.

 

[Reino606]

Had the wobbles on mine the bike sat for 6 years on a new Metzler 880, I replaced the tires with fresh Michelin Commanders and now it runs out smooth as silk (no more bar wobble). My guess is your front tire is shot and needs replaced, check the date code on the side wall so you know how old the existing one is. They break down after a few years regardless of manufacturer

 

[Jag]

Had the wobbles on mine the bike sat for 6 years on a new Metzler 880, I replaced the tires with fresh Michelin Commanders and now it runs out smooth as silk (no more bar wobble). My guess is your front tire is shot and needs replaced, check the date code on the side wall so you know how old the existing one is. They break down after a few years regardless of manufacturer

I have the same tires, love them!!

 

[oldnewR3T]

My experience was about the same. Bike would start to wobble around 110 mph. Really doubt it is the new tire. After much frustration of trying to cure the problem we went forward and replaced front fork springs with a set of Progressive. Same time frame we replaced the neck bearings and packed with high quality grease. Also replaced front wheel bearings. Wobble is long gone. 130 mph and smooth. Stock neck bearings i believe was the problem. Very disappointed with the lube used on stock bearings. Resulted in premature wear of bearings. It don't matter how many times you adjust the headstock if the bearings are shot.

Thanks for all the inputs here!
Update to earlier in the week: I took the wheel off and took it to the local shop for tire inspection. No sign of unusual wear or delimitation inside or out. Rebalanced perfectly, rotors perfect, wheel bearings check out. I might have leave the '50s theme behind with the white walls and try the Michelins when these wear out, but given these comments I will also get to those Progressive front springs which I've been meaning to do. Never liked the shocks on this bike, and while I have it apart check out the bearings, even though there is no sign of wear otherwise. Any suggestions on source for neck bearings? Again, appreciate all the comments.

 

[sonny]

Thanks for all the inputs here!
Update to earlier in the week: I took the wheel off and took it to the local shop for tire inspection. No sign of unusual wear or delimitation inside or out. Rebalanced perfectly, rotors perfect, wheel bearings check out. I might have leave the '50s theme behind with the white walls and try the Michelins when these wear out, but given these comments I will also get to those Progressive front springs which I've been meaning to do. Never liked the shocks on this bike, and while I have it apart check out the bearings, even though there is no sign of wear otherwise. Any suggestions on source for neck bearings? Again, appreciate all the comments.

We have a place in Tulsa that will make new bearings for you. Bring in your old bearings and they take the dimensions and fabricate new bearings. Very high quality. Cost a little more than average but well worth it. I'm sure that you probably have a place similar to that in your neighborhood.

 

[DaRiz]

High speed wobble can originate from the rear.
While you’re in all this, check your swing arm mounting, bushings and alignment.
Ensure your rear wheel bearings are in good shape.

 

[Ishrub]

Thanks for all the inputs here!
Update to earlier in the week: I took the wheel off and took it to the local shop for tire inspection. No sign of unusual wear or delimitation inside or out. Rebalanced perfectly, rotors perfect, wheel bearings check out. I might have leave the '50s theme behind with the white walls and try the Michelins when these wear out, but given these comments I will also get to those Progressive front springs which I've been meaning to do. Never liked the shocks on this bike, and while I have it apart check out the bearings, even though there is no sign of wear otherwise. Any suggestions on source for neck bearings? Again, appreciate all the comments.

Lots of us have used USA sourced Alls Balls branded ones that are said to be better quality than stock. They sell complete wheel kits and head stem bearing kits for the Rocket 3 all types noting Tourings will be different. 1000's of online and hard store distributors world wide including Amazon - Google is your friend (but a menacing one ).