I noticed on a trip last weekend that if I let go of the handlebars at about 60mph, while the bike slowed down, the handlebars started wobbling quite a bit. It got stronger at about 50mph. I can't really feel the wobble while I'm holding on to the handlebars, but when I let go it is a fairly quick wobble moving the ends of the handlebars forward and back maybe 3/4 inch.

I understand from other threads that this is probably a front tire problem (?). Is it a bad tire or a bad balance job, or could it be either one? Is it something I should have looked at, or should I just ignore it?

Thanks. -bg

Hey Gordon-So you're getting this as well?!My experience is TIRE WEAR(may not be visible).Happened on my zx12 also.Replaced tire-Viola! Just make sure they line up the red dots(or whatever color they are)on the sidewall with the valve stem.Pirellis are good for NOT needing any extra weights.It's pretty amazing how many "shop techs" don't know about the dots on the tires and valve lineup.One guy where I go to get my tires changed(Kawi dealer tech)said"the last place I worked told me to mount that OPPOSITE the valve stem"-NOT!!!!New tire should take care of it-probably won't hurt to just continue with that one as long as the shimmy doesn't start making yer bike shake.Ride safe Now!!!

Three of us here have had same problems (BT14 Front tires). Place your bike on the stands and spin the front wheel. Feel the the treads to see if they have rolled edges. Once the center part of the tread became worn, the bike would start to shimmy and got worse with time and more miles. Do you still have factory tires ? I thought it was due to poor inflation and hard braking on my part, but now I see I'm not alone. Maybe the same ? Tires fixed it for all three of us.

Wild ass guess (WAG) would be the front tire may be starting to cup. This is not uncommon on many bikes and not just sport bikes. If you know someone with a used but good front tire then put it on and see what happen. I keep two extra used fronts for testing and only on a R1 did we have a loose neck bearing and a tire would not fix.
Cheap bastards like me always look for the easy way out.
:)

Tire only has about 1600 miles on it. Shows no wear at all. Maybe I'll order another one anyway...

Thanks, guys.

another possibility not yet mentioned is that your front rotors could be slightly warped..If you have a front stand it's easy to detect and being off just a touch can induce a wobble.

How many miles on the bike?
Steering head bearings might need to be tighten.
There was a lot of talk on the old forum on how to do it.
Before you start you will need a special socket to tighten to proper torque,
after you remove upper triple clamp.
Some just tighten with a pin punch without removing upper triple clamp.
But there's no way to tell how tight you are making it.

About 7000 miles on the bike. -bg

How's it going bg???
+1 with Blue07 and Roman
Change the tire....

+ 5 on the tire wear analogy

How's it going bg???

1minerman:

Things are great here. Took a great 360 mile ride last weekend to Glenwood Springs the long way around. It rained quite a bit, but we did have some dry roads. Nice to get out and ride... -bg

+6 On the WAG

BG, I bet if you run your hand over the front tire (long way). You'll feel that it's got cupping. Very common. It's happined to every front tire I've had on both my ZX-12r and my ZX-14.

P.S. it usually starts at around 1500 miles. Motorcyle tires....well large liter bike tires don't last very long. Just a fact.

1+ Budd = Yep, about 1,500 and she acted funny that soon. It's when I got off the bike and started to kick the tires just to make sure, and sure enough, just about that many miles. So it must be common if Budd called out that mileage and I felt it go off song about that time too.

It is a strange phenomenon. I have had front tires cupped causing wobbling on 550 cc, 750 cc, 1100 cc bikes, regardless of brand, Dunlop, Michelin, Bridgestone, Pirelli, you name it. On the same bike, same type of tires, one may get cupped, the next will not. I am no sure if it has something to do with a perfect mounting or balancing. On my 11 front Pilot Road has 5.5 K, still very perfect. The previous Macadam 100 was wobbling badly at 2.5 K. On the 14, front Pilot Road 2 has 5 K, still good. The OEM BT-014 was showing cupping at about 2 K, yet it did not wobble. It's rather puzzling.

* Last updated by: Steven14 on 5/27/2009 @ 12:45 PM *

Your right Steven, no rhyme or reason. But unfortunately it's going to happen more often then not. It's just one of those things that make you say....UHMMMMM?

^^^Hey there, Bud! Long time no hear.

bg, I once heard the bar end weights can have an effect on the keeping the front stable. Don't know, just heard it one time and one time only.

Rook

rook, the heavy bar ends are going to decrease vibration through the bars, but they won't help with a shake or wobble. i love the throttlemeisters btw.

Yes, I have Throttlemeisters installed. Maybe it would be worse (wobbling) without them...

Maybe I'll ask the dealer what they think about this and how they would fix it. Just to see how (un)sharp they are. -bg

rook, the heavy bar ends are going to decrease vibration through the bars, but they won't help with a shake or wobble. i love the throttlemeisters btw.

+1 on the Throttlemeister. I don't know if it really relieves any vibration (I can't tell, it may). But I do think that it's the best throttle lock on the market (not cruise control).

I agree with everyone on the tire cupping also. I have had the same thing happen the front tire has been the problem. I believe that different tires will cup quicker or later depending on there construction and how sensitive they are to the best pressures for optimum wear, for that particular tire. Under inflation will cause cupping and on motorcycle tire it doesnt take long for it to show up.

ZX 14 problem. Fit a steering damper.

ZX 14 problem. Fit a steering damper.

You think the zx14 has a headshake issue?
You'd be the first I know of!

Anytime I've had wobble or vibe issues on any of my bikes, a fresh set of tires has solved the problem.

ZX 14 problem. Fit a steering damper.

You think the zx14 has a headshake issue?
You'd be the first I know of!

Anytime I've had wobble or vibe issues on any of my bikes, a fresh set of tires has solved the problem.

Agree, I don't think a steering damper would help this one. Plus new tires are something your going to need anyway. Steering dampers are great but very costly.