Wobbles!

[apteryx_haasti]

Hi there,

Quick total newbie question - my bike has developed a "shimmy" or "Wobble" or "shudder" (not sure how best to describe it) once I get over a certain speed. I first noticed on Friday and it is still there today. Starts at about 70 kph.

It seems quite similar to what happens in a car when the wheels aren't aligned.

Hence my newbie question - is that the problem? Or could it be something else? What can I check to see if it is alignment or something else. I have checked the tyre pressure and I think they are OK - but could tyre pressure cause this?

Thanks - I don't really like the wobble and I would like to make it go away, I presume it is probably not the best thing for my riding to have that going on!

Hope y'all can enlighten me,

Cheers.

A_H

[andrea]

strange you mean like when you need to get your wheels balanced on the cars

[Kendog]

Hi there again, glad to hear you're still enjoying your riding.
I can't be of any help to you sorry, except to suggest to maybe ask someone down at Wellington Motorcycles about it or get them to take a look at it.
Keep on enjoying the pleasent weather at the mo aye!
Mrs KD.

[Fub@r]

Does it feel like its the back tyre? Or wobble in the rear? Although its not persistant

I've noticed the same with my Ginny at 70kph, thought it was just me.

My bikes going in for a full service and check tomorrow. I will ask the question and see whether it does it on way home.

[R6_kid]

aight... check that front wheel isnt bent, check that the front disk isnt bent, check you're steering head bearings to see if they are screwed, check that your rear axle is done up tight, check that you're chain is adjusted evenly (rear wheel is running straight and true) otherwise if all of that is sweet (you might need to take it to a shop for them to look at it) i suggest you get of the p, wacky backy, or whatever it is that is affecting your vision.:blip:

[R6_kid]

also check that you're tyres are at the correct pressure.

edit, hopefully someone in the welly area will be able to give you a hand, otherwise take it into the shop you got it from if it is a 2006 model it should still be under warranty.

Best thing to do is arrange a time for it get sorted and watch them so you can get an idea of how to fix it if you are mechanically minded/able.

[Filterer]

my gf had the same problem the first few times she went on the motorway, I was following her in the cage and it was wobbiling everywhere!

However it doesn't wobble for me, Shes either holding the handle bars to tight or shes just not heavy enough.... i don't know

[sunhuntin]

ive never noticed anything with mine. id get it checked out of its concerning you. best of luck getting it sorted!!!

[MidnightMike]

I have the same problem on my volty when i get up around 270, nah just kidding but I do have the same problem and at the same speed, not sure whats doing it, maybe its god warning me to stay to the proper limit on my learners. :scooter:

[apteryx_haasti]

maybe its god warning me to stay to the proper limit on my learners.

Oh, yep, that'll be what it is!

Like I would stay at 70 on the Wgtn motorway in traffic that's doing 80-100. Because at least if I was road paste, I'd be thin?

Not exactly the Atkins diet... (little drum roll)

But seriously folks - thanks for the advice. It's due for its 1000 km service in about 200 kms, so I will just ask then, unless it gets worse.

It is something I have just noticed, but it could have always been there and I have gotten past the "Oh crap, I'm gonna die on the motorway" and have only noticed now since I have more mind left over to pay attention to the bike?

Fub@r - it sounds similar to what you are describing. A wobble in the rear, not persistant, and not present at slower speeds (also goes away once you get over 85 ish - not that I'd know that...) If you remember to ask (and sorry for the late reply, I've been out since I wrote my post) I'd be interested to know what they say.

Cheers all.

A_H

[Fub@r]

It's due for its 1000 km service in about 200 kms, so I will just ask then, unless it gets worse.
A_H


Mines due for its 1000km service now, hence such an early service to make sure nothing has worked loose during the ruinning in maybe.

I will let you know what the servicing guy reckons

Not sure about the 85 k'ish as I'm stuck in auckland rush hour, I be lucky to get to 60 :)

[apteryx_haasti]

Mines due for its 1000km service now, hence such an early service to make sure nothing has worked loose during the ruinning in maybe.

I will let you know what the servicing guy reckons

Not sure about the 85 k'ish as I'm stuck in auckland rush hour, I be lucky to get to 60 :)

Cool, thanks Fub@r. Good luck with that Auckland traffic. For some reason Wgtn not too bad on the way to work, but coming home sucks. I am not brave enough to lane split (yet) so I just watch in envy all those other bikers going by.

I figure I'll grow into it...

[Shadows]

It sounds most likely that it is simply a wheel out of balance. Being a newish bike I wouldn't expect the problem to be due to any worn out bearings or fork seals etc, rather something more simple.
If you have adjusted your chain recently it may be possible that you have over adjusted one of the chain tensioners on one side.
If you haven't touched the chain adjustment and but it seems like it is due to poor front to rear wheel alignment, make sure your axle is still done up tight - your rear wheel can't easily shift out of alignment unless the axle nut is loose, or you've crashed it and bent the frame and not told anybody!
PM me if you would like me to have a look, I work in Gracefield so I could pop out when I knock off. Either that or wait for the service. Whatever you decide, just make sure that your axle nut is done up nicely before you ride it next!

[Quartida]

Like I would stay at 70 on the Wgtn motorway in traffic that's doing 80-100.

Going over 70 on your learner's? NEVER. :nono: :innocent:

[Fub@r]

I am not brave enough to lane split (yet) so I just watch in envy all those other bikers going by.

I figure I'll grow into it...

I'm in the same boat, sitting in traffic watching other bikes go past........thinking should I? shouldn't I? :bye:

[Filterer]

I'm in the same boat, sitting in traffic watching other bikes go past........thinking should I? shouldn't I? :bye:

Watch them for a while untill you get an idea of what is doable/not doable....

Then wait untill someone goes past but not going to fast and try and sit in behind them for a few cars...

Gradually work up the confidence to follow someone for longer but just remember more then likley they are going to be going faster then you feel comfortable with so don't try to keep up at the start....

My first time properly spltting on the mway was a real rush, managed to hook on to the back of two bikers that had gone past and of course the cages that hadn't seen the first bike probably should have seen me as I was the third one.

Soon there were four of us tootling down the mway and all the cars had spread out by the time I got to them....It was a great fun.

Just watch out where you do it, especailly on the southern motorway there are places where the lanes are narrow and lots of on/off ramps so anywhere between the harbour bridge and market rd offramp are difficult for newbies

[apteryx_haasti]

Thanks for the advice, Filterer.

I got semi brave yesterday and did a quick lane change to a nice gap and then back in front of the cage in the lane I had been in (for some reason known only to himself, he was going at about 40 kph when the rest of the lane was going about 70 kph) but that is as far as I have gone on the mway at present.

[madboy]

If you are going to lanesplit, remember three things -
1. GN's have very average brakes. So don't follow the bike in front of you too closely, particularly a sportsbike
2. Cover your brakes. Be ready to stop. You WILL need every millisecond of reaction time. It doesn't happen often, but it WILL happen.
3. Pay attention to the road ahead, the cars, etc. Don't worry too much about your mirrors. The threats are in front, not behind. BUT if you don't check your mirrors, arrogant c***s on sportsbikes (like me) will race up behind you, get pissed off with sitting behind you and either blow past you really close and scare the crap out of you, or go for the breakdown lane. I suggest when you're "in a gap" while splitting that you clear the baffles so to speak and check the mirrors, moving over for any bikes behind.

[apteryx_haasti]

Thanks Madboy - I have been watching others to see how it's done...perhaps you've been one of them!

Getting in another biker's way because I am splitting too slowly is one of the reasons I haven't tried it for myself yet.

I am getting tempted though...probably one day I will just decide "Oh stuff it!" and have a go.

I'll keep an eye out for an uncooked pork sausage with extra herbs on a sport bike. You should be easy to spot - I'll give ya a wave.

[Fub@r]

Bike went in for its first service today, the only thing wrong was the tyre pressures were a bit high. Didn't feel any wobbles at 70kph on way home.

I mentioned to the mechanic about the wobble issue and he said to check tyre pressures, balance and if they were fine he would be looking at the standard front tyre on the GN. Something about the grooves in them might make an issue. He wasn't sure.

[apteryx_haasti]

Thanks Fub@r - I am going to check my tyre pressure tonight and see if it needs adjusting. I did check it the other day, but it was only a wee while after I got home and the tyres may still have been warm and therefore giving a false reading.

Of course, now I have to try and guess how long to wait before checking since I've just got home about 30 mins ago.

There's another one "Uhhh, how cold are cold tyres?"

[Fub@r]

Might pay to get an early first service. Doesn't have to be done bang on 1000km. Maybe something is working loose? If its a concern its better to get it checked out early than later

[cougar]

Have had a problem much the same in the rear i found that the tyre was not seated in the beed properly.
yet as every one else has said check that things are not loose and check front shocks are even pressure.

[beyond]

Always check your tyre pressures cold.
That is first thing in the morning before you use it and when your bike hasn't been sitting in the sun.