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front end wobble
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2002 7:17 pm
by rideoregon
I've been noticing an increased tendacy for a front end wobble on my '98 KLR
650, particularly once I get up about 60 mph. As long as everything is smooth
and steady, I don't notice it. But if I'm getting buffeted by a truck or encounter
uneven pavement the front-end REALLY starts to feel squirrley. In fact, I can
almost induce a tank-slapper if I give the bars a quick tug. I've had this bike for
two years and have never really noticed this before. Neither the steering head
or the swing-arm appear to be loose. I'm currently running MT 21's. Anyone
else experience this with these tires? Any ideas on what could be causing the
wobble?
Steve in Eugene
front end wobble
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2002 7:37 pm
by Lujo Bauer
Having had a similar experience myself, I'd recommend tightening the
steering head bearings (even if they weren't too loose) and making sure
you've got sufficient tire pressure, and more pressure in the rear tire
than in the front.
-Lujo
> I've been noticing an increased tendacy for a front end wobble on
> my '98 KLR
> 650, particularly once I get up about 60 mph. As long as
> everything is smooth
> and steady, I don't notice it. But if I'm getting buffeted by a
> truck or encounter
> uneven pavement the front-end REALLY starts to feel squirrley. In
> fact, I can
> almost induce a tank-slapper if I give the bars a quick tug. I've
> had this bike for
> two years and have never really noticed this before. Neither the
> steering head
> or the swing-arm appear to be loose. I'm currently running MT
> 21's. Anyone
> else experience this with these tires? Any ideas on what could be
> causing the
> wobble?
>
> Steve in Eugene
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
front end wobble
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2002 10:55 pm
by Devon Jarvis
I use MT21's, and I have had this exact problem, though only at 75mph. I was running
the tires pumped up really hard on the street, to try and save tire wear (32 front, 36
rear).
The front wore really strangely, and the wobble only started after maybe 3500mi on the
front tire. Running less pressure up front seems to have cured it (24psi). I still use
36psi in the back for the road.
As Lujo mentioned, steering bearings may not "click" under brakes but still may be a
bit loose.
Devon
rideoregon wrote:
> I've been noticing an increased tendacy for a front end wobble on my '98 KLR
> 650, particularly once I get up about 60 mph. As long as everything is smooth
> and steady, I don't notice it. But if I'm getting buffeted by a truck or encounter
> uneven pavement the front-end REALLY starts to feel squirrley. In fact, I can
> almost induce a tank-slapper if I give the bars a quick tug. I've had this bike for
> two years and have never really noticed this before. Neither the steering head
> or the swing-arm appear to be loose. I'm currently running MT 21's. Anyone
> else experience this with these tires? Any ideas on what could be causing the
> wobble?
>
> Steve in Eugene
front end wobble
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2002 6:21 am
by millerized_2000
put some "ass" over the front end. Light front end, sometimes caused
by updrafts when passing trucks, will give you the tank slappers in
no time. Noticed that on my trip. With all the weight of the gear
on the back, the front end was light. Moving up on the seat where
big Jim and the boys are resting on the tank gives you as much ar
you're gonna get. Anything more, pack it on....McDonalds, KFC, Taco
Bell.....
millerized (whopping 5'8", 160)
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "rideoregon" wrote:
> I've been noticing an increased tendacy for a front end wobble on
my '98 KLR
> 650, particularly once I get up about 60 mph. As long as everything
is smooth
> and steady, I don't notice it. But if I'm getting buffeted by a
truck or encounter
> uneven pavement the front-end REALLY starts to feel squirrley. In
fact, I can
> almost induce a tank-slapper if I give the bars a quick tug. I've
had this bike for
> two years and have never really noticed this before. Neither the
steering head
> or the swing-arm appear to be loose. I'm currently running MT 21's.
Anyone
> else experience this with these tires? Any ideas on what could be
causing the
> wobble?
>
> Steve in Eugene
front end wobble
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2002 8:30 am
by mnron2002
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "rideoregon" wrote:
> I've been noticing an increased tendacy for a front end wobble on
my '98 KLR
> 650, particularly once I get up about 60 mph. As long as everything
is smooth
> and steady, I don't notice it. But if I'm getting buffeted by a
truck or encounter
> uneven pavement the front-end REALLY starts to feel squirrley. In
fact, I can
> almost induce a tank-slapper if I give the bars a quick tug. I've
had this bike for
> two years and have never really noticed this before. Neither the
steering head
> or the swing-arm appear to be loose. I'm currently running MT 21's.
Anyone
> else experience this with these tires? Any ideas on what could be
causing the
> wobble?
>
> Steve in Eugene
Since I've run my fork tubes at about 1/2" above the triple clamps, I
have no wobble problems. Not sure I'd run it that way in the dirt,
though..
Just my $.02 worth
MNRon
front end wobble
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2002 10:10 am
by Guest
my mt 21 front tire wobbled a few times. I just didnt go as fast. I
think its the type of tire..
front end wobble
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2002 10:14 am
by Devon Jarvis
I found that my wobble went away if I shifted my weight as far back as
possible. Different for every tire/suspension setup I would imagine.
Devon
Hulking 5'7" 150
millerized_2000 wrote:
>
> put some "ass" over the front end. Light front end, sometimes caused
> by updrafts when passing trucks, will give you the tank slappers in
> no time. Noticed that on my trip. With all the weight of the gear
> on the back, the front end was light. Moving up on the seat where
> big Jim and the boys are resting on the tank gives you as much ar
> you're gonna get. Anything more, pack it on....McDonalds, KFC, Taco
> Bell.....
> millerized (whopping 5'8", 160)
>
front end wobble
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2002 10:59 am
by mugga112001
And don't forget to check the preasure in your tires. I know it's a
stupid, I know I know, type of comment but at times we all forget!
eva
A10
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Lujo Bauer" wrote:
> Having had a similar experience myself, I'd recommend tightening the
> steering head bearings (even if they weren't too loose) and making
sure
> you've got sufficient tire pressure, and more pressure in the rear
tire
> than in the front.
>
> -Lujo
>
> > I've been noticing an increased tendacy for a front end wobble on
> > my '98 KLR
> > 650, particularly once I get up about 60 mph. As long as
> > everything is smooth
> > and steady, I don't notice it. But if I'm getting buffeted by a
> > truck or encounter
> > uneven pavement the front-end REALLY starts to feel squirrley. In
> > fact, I can
> > almost induce a tank-slapper if I give the bars a quick tug. I've
> > had this bike for
> > two years and have never really noticed this before. Neither the
> > steering head
> > or the swing-arm appear to be loose. I'm currently running MT
> > 21's. Anyone
> > else experience this with these tires? Any ideas on what could be
> > causing the
> > wobble?
> >
> > Steve in Eugene
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
front end wobble
Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2002 11:48 am
by bkowalca
I had the same problem on my A14. The bike was scary at highway speed
in traffic. I installed the Dual-Star fork brace, problem solved up
to 100mph (bike won't go faster). It's rock solid now, I don't have
any worries passing big trucks.
You might also want to check to see if there is any slop in the front
and rear wheel bearings.
Bryan K
A14
--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "rideoregon" wrote:
> I've been noticing an increased tendacy for a front end wobble on
my '98 KLR
> 650, particularly once I get up about 60 mph. As long as everything
is smooth
> and steady, I don't notice it. But if I'm getting buffeted by a
truck or encounter
> uneven pavement the front-end REALLY starts to feel squirrley. In
fact, I can
> almost induce a tank-slapper if I give the bars a quick tug. I've
had this bike for
> two years and have never really noticed this before. Neither the
steering head
> or the swing-arm appear to be loose. I'm currently running MT 21's.
Anyone
> else experience this with these tires? Any ideas on what could be
causing the
> wobble?
>
> Steve in Eugene
front end wobble
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:07 am
by will gilmore
Sorry to re-visit old topics but just how do you get rid of the front-
end wobble when behind a semi-truck at 70 mph? And will it be made
worse putting-on the taller windshield?
Thanks, Will (A-11)