is there any other anything that has out lasted the klr?

[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

[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]

[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

[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

[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

[Guest]

my mt 21 front tire wobbled a few times. I just didnt go as fast. I think its the type of tire..

[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) >

[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]

[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

[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)