I have a 07 zx14 that is lowered, I keep getting a wobble if I let go of the handle bars on decel around 50-40 mph. I have done the online search and done the wheel balance, wheel bearings are good and replaces the front tire but it still wobbles on decel. When i first replaced the front tire it stop doing it but after like 200 miles it started doing it again.

Any one has any other suggestions as to why this is happening?

How hard would it be to put back to stock geometry for a test? Getting it back to stock would certainly serve as a 'sanity check'. If the problem goes away you know it is to do with the geometry, and if it doesn't you might be at a better starting point for further diagnosis. Also, whatever is causing this may have distorted your tires already, to explain the 200 mile window, so the only really sure test would be stock geometry with fresh rubber. That sounds like a pain so hopefully someone else with more experience has the exact solution for you.

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 9/5/2014 @ 3:15 PM *

Conditions
Have you tried wobble testing on various, different roads? Asphalt, concrete? Are you sure the roads you ride on are not a factor?

Wind a factor?

Bike
How many miles on the bike?

Has the bike ever been laid down/accident/repaired?

As toon mentioned, is the bike properly lowered to maintain geometry?

Tires
Why did you replace the tire (assuming to address the wobble)?

Did you (or the shop) inspect the front tire which was being replaced for unusual wear, if yes was their unusual wear?

Did you replace the rear? Why? If no, why the front and not the rear?

Maintenance
Have you checked steering head play?

Have you performed maintenance bolt tightening, including steering stem head nut?

General Comment
It's not unusual to get some wobble when releasing the handlebars at speed. Riders aren't really supposed to do this, motorcycles are not designed to operate in this manner. Although lets face it most riders do from time to time (I admit, I do). The simplest solution if there are no clear symptoms (loose steering, unusual tire wear) other than finding the exact cause is to not let go of the bars.

My old bike had some wobble sometimes when I let go of the bars. I never had any problems with tire wear or anything. But I learned what speeds to avoid letting go of the bars for a quick rest. But I could also tell prior owner(s) had probably laid it down (gently) and the forks/triple tree were a tad tweaked. I could tell left clip-on was closer than the other side (probably a couple mm). Rode the bike 13,000+ miles, never had any safety issue or whatever (have never been down actually)

Hope this helps.

* Last updated by: VicThing on 9/5/2014 @ 3:25 PM *

Have you checked steering head play?

200 miles before no shake. 200 miles is not going to start shaking as if the steering needs to be looked at.

1. Did you change both tires fr and rr at the same time? Air pressure? Why do I ask if I know the answer.
2. Want hands off bars, change front tire every 200 miles. Make sense?
3. Do not remove hands off bars at 30-50 mph range, if that's the key mph it starts to wobble at.

You are going to be told 'did you check this and that' as you chase your tail, since I've seen this happen to bikes back in the 1970's. So do you think it's a phenom that it happened with the same mph, brand new bike with new tires?

Deja vu all over again. Typical clueless squid tactic. Get over it! Keep hands on bars or step on the red carpet and be called, "Squiddly."

Stock geometry, 2000 miles on tires, no wobble whatsoever, slowing down is so stable it invites me to take the hands off and shake them out. That is normal and expected afaik.

kfumes wrote:

I have done the online search and done the wheel balance, wheel bearings are good and replaces(d) the front tire but it still wobbles on decel.

For anyone that didn't read the original post thoroughly.

Wobble happens in all types of roads.

The front tire that was on there first was pretty worn out and figure that was the cause of the wobble so i just went ahead and replace it. I didnt replace the rear tire, why? bc it still has a lot of tread left on it.

I dont let go of the handle bars just cause, I have actually just barely taken off my hands off the bars to test if the wobble was still there after replacing the front tire. My 06 zx10r was lower and never had a problem with a wobble,

Bike has not being laid down while riding but has tipped over before, you think that may have tweaked the fork/triple tree?

I assumed the shop checked the steering head play when they replaced the front tire as I mentioned to them to diagnose the problem and fix it. I wont have much time to mess with it the rest of the year but i plan on taking all the fairings off and check everything on the bike over the winter just to be sure nothing major is going on.

I may try to raise it back to stock height and see if it makes a difference.

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions , I will keep them in mind.

i will check the tire pressure and see if the pressure has dropped, hopefully there is no leak on the wheel.

My 06 zx10r was lower and never had a problem with a wobble

I'm not going to say 'all' or 'most' wobble, I am going to say, 'some' bikes wobble.

When i first replaced the front tire it stop doing it

Look at what you are saying. The both of you.

but i plan on taking all the fairings off and check everything on the bike over the winter just to be sure

NOLTT said, "You are going to be told 'did you check this and that' as you chase your tail." You aren't going to laugh at these guys are you? I don't know? Should I cry (laughing) a new tire stops the wobble with the right pressure maybe? Maybe I haven't checked my pressure in over 200 miles? It sits a lot between rides, so? So it was one long 100 mile loop, or 200 miles and it took months to accumulate?

Didn't you tell logichip to read his diagnosis so I don't come along and tell those runner uppers they are not ready for the big top as he sees his diagnose stumble the steps? I don't know, what are you going to tell the OP who is going to tear down the whole bike and does not see a new tire made not a wobble, but now winter comes and it's back to chasing his tail, yes? You dick! Why couldn't you say nothing so they chase their tails. Naaa, I rather they look stupid so first thing they do is blame the bike so I'll shove that up their ass just so they can't go there. Good move. Yeah, so what are you doing later? Keeping an eye on chipset so this does not drag out to 4 pages looking for more logic to fuckcup something too simple as fresh tires. Oh not the wore an old sock with a fresh smelling one out of the dryer? Yeah, then you think he wears old undies and a new shirt or a smelly shirt and new undies but no washe buttea. Yeah, the way these guys think out the ass you'd think.... Ahhh, never mind, just hit the sig.

Signed,

You'll still be looking for it being right in front of you 200 miles ago.

* Last updated by: Hub on 9/5/2014 @ 11:00 PM *

I rode the bike all day then parked it about an hr then i went riding again and about 30 minutes into the ride is when the wobble started, so no it doesnt sit a lot between rides. by the way HUB i'm guessing you didnt read the part where it clearly states it was wobbling with the worn tire that was replaced.

and i had already being planning to take the fairings off over the winter for a while. the reason is not just to check to make sure everything is in place on the bike but i'm also going to be replacing the fairings with the zx14r fairings as I like the look better. so why not go ahead and check everything else while i'm at it? seems like time saving to me.

When i first replaced the front tire it stop doing it

I rest my case. Unless you wrote this sentence wrong. Then it should read, 'when i replaced the front tire with a used tire it stopped doing it.' It's one or the other. Who is confusing whom?

Besides, this is mute on my end, because of how you dress the bike looking for a wob. I changed my t-shirt at the front, but I did not change my underwear at the rear. So if 200 miles calls the wob with a worn rear and it starts in again, where are we at when it was so new it didn't.

Again, your lowered 10r without wob is different with a 14 lowered. So, lowered, used rear, air pressure, balance, front knock at the steering bearings and I'll assume they are tight, just dry. I have 8k on the bike and the front end already has been repacked and the next tire change is inspect and repack again. How many did yours go thru?

Brand new some bikes will wob. You know what the factory says? "Keep your hands on the bars." They have no cure for this mph window. Get on the train or keep looking for what?

Maintenance
Have you checked steering head play?

Have you performed maintenance bolt tightening, including steering stem head nut?

What I'm trying to do is tap you two on the should and get your attention. 'When I installed the new tire, the same wobble occurred,' is how you begin looking for the laundry list of things to look for. But the wob clears with just that change says worn tires, not loose chassis parts.

Are we seeing how I have to dig out what 200 turned into? Now that we have established a single pass of 200 miles, that means a full tank, and stopped for gas. Get back on and it wobbles. @ 200 miles, have we put on a few over a 100 mph runs? See how I have again pull teeth to see what that 200 miles was given.

Did we break hard from that mph and was the front brake used? Did you putt for 200 miles and follow the speed limit or when safe did you nail it a few times? What kind of mph we talking? I here guys are going thru tires in 3k and you tore off 200 miles or 15% give or take.

And for argument sake, both tires evenly wear as they roll together, usually. So, to keep on seeing you justify how things roll, where is the percentage on the rear tire? Doesn't that say we would not have a chassis problem if no wobble with new rubber fr, let alone rr? Are we on the same page?

* Last updated by: Hub on 9/6/2014 @ 10:12 AM *

Sheesh...much ado about nothingLOL...tires...front...that's the culprit.Had every on of my Ninja 14's develop this 45-50 mph wiggle.I'm well past having my 'new' tires new...and no trace of this at all.Some tire brands just have this tendency.The book DOES say NO HARD BRAKING on new tires...I think.(something like that)until they're broken in(the tires).You set up a wear pattern during those first several(maybe less)rides...You can't see it visually.But it happens.Later on...it becomes MORE pronounced...that's been MY experience with the Ninja anyway...I may be full o' shit.Sounds good anyway;)

Some tire brands just have this tendency

Bingo!

Point taken, keep hands on bars n dont worry bout the damn wobble any more.

200 miles at speed limit 60-70 mph no hard breaking.