Just bought an 09 R1, everything is great. Other than these ridiculous speed wobbles. There is no aftermark damper on this bike, however I do not think the amount of wobbling I am getting is normal. Wonder what I should have done to it/looked into?
Here is a video of what I am talking about: streamable.com/zligi
Thanks y'all.
Posted Aug 18, 2019, 9:03 PM UTC
the first wobble in the vid is caused by rider input. When you open and close the throttle to shift your wobbling the bars. Second one seem to happen over a bump. Good chance its rider input again.
Get some proper gear when going over 160 mph. And button up the useless gear you have or it can quickly put a damper on your life. Ride safe! :)
Looks like death grip on the bars to me, combined with possible fluttery/loose clothing. Not an ideal combination at 160mph. That could do it, even if the other stuff that's been mentioned is fine.
That doesn't look like ridiculous speed wobbles on a bike with no damper. Looks fairly normal to me when you're going that fast, and especially when you're shifting and lightening the front end. I agree with u/dugsmuggler though, check everything he said. If if persists you can also lower the forks in the triples(so less is showing above the top triple) to give you a bit more rake. Or get a decent damper.
No, no it shouldn't wobble that much. Fix your bike mate.
Those look like a few wobbles due to a light front end after up shifting and hitting a bump and/or death gripping the bars. He definitely needs to address some issues like suspension setup and ensure his head bearings and tires aren't out of whack, but I wouldn't call that amount of head shake horrendous. Even with a perfectly set up race bike the bars will move around a lot. There is a reason that everyone tells you to stay light on the bars and not death grip anything.
What speed does it seem to start at? I've had bikes from the early 00's without dampers and I've never had anything qutie this pronounced without hitting a bump or something uneven in the road. Dug's advice is good, also could be a bearing or quite a few simple things. I recommend finding out for sure because you have to assume if it is a mechanical problem it will only get worse not better and that could be dangerous. Have you dialed the suspension in properly? Could be getting too light in the front end on decompresison. Could be quite a few things. Is a damper something possibly in the budget for the future?
Tyre pressure first, wear condition second, then investigate wheel and steering head bearings.
It could also be the front fender flexing and shaking in the wind but at those speeds the slightest issue will get multiplied.
You should probably just slow down a bit.
Thanks I'll look into that stuff. I bought a liter bike to go fast though, and watching others they don't seem to have that issue. Appreciate it.
Start slow and the fast will look after itself. But seriously, you are the aftermarket yaw damper - if you're not relaxed on the bike and white knuckling the bars at speed, that stiffens the steering up and makes it more resonant, and hello speed wobble. Being more supple from a few dozen more hours on the bike and working up to your hoons will potentially fix the wobbles too.
That said: tyre wear, pressure, bearings, headset bearings, rim true, bead seating, rear tyre alignment, etc etc all worth a look as well.
Dug's advice is good.
How smooth is that road? My 600 will do that if I hit a bump while I'm gripping the bars too tight, if I hit the same bump with a loose grip it'll center itself. How many miles on the bike?
Check for empty forks or bad bearings too.
I think the speeds more than likely the issue. Along with the proper preride checklist.
I will add one more - wheel alignment. If they aren’t in a straight line for whatever reason, head shake is possible.
OP - I used to routinely do 150+ without headshake and with no damper. You should be able to figure this out.
Welp...checked everything you said out and it was all G. Until I found this crap: https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/482722528456867878/613151849305997464/image0.jpg?width=857&height=643
Feels bad man...I know this is a serious issue and needs to be fixed before riding. But, do you think this could have been causing my wobble issue as well?
This is the front left fork boot.
Holy shit you're lucky to be alive. Yes that's the fault.
Pre ride inspections are important.