Speed Wobble

[JT 384]

Can any one tell what causes speed wobbles, On way home from training last week I came a cross a bike accident. I spoke to a witness of the accident and they said the guy on the bike passed them and went in to a speed wobble and then came off the bike.

The rider was on a H.D, we ( all firefighters) provided care till the paramedics arrived. The rider should be ok and was very upset when we cut his HD jacket off him, the bike was done.

So my question is what causes speed wobbles & how can get out of one if it happens?

 

[Ignacio]

Wikipedia and Google are your friend for the cause and how to get out of one.

The best way to get out of one is to not get in one to begin with. My experience has been that those involved in road accidents and speed wobble situations...tend to be riders that showed poor judgment and rode beyond conditions, their abilities, and/or the bike's capabilities.

 

[user 17287]

Not sure what causes it but on the bikes that have done it for me you just need to accelerate just a little and the wobble goes right away.

I guess I should add that the wobbles I encountered were at higher speeds but also decelerating (off throttle) maybe what you are talking about is something different???

 

[SLK50]

While no model particulars were given, some HDs have their swingarms mounted in rubber

bushings ( instead of mounted to solid frame members ) which has long been considered contributing to their quirky handling. Loose or worn bushings could be to blame.

 

[Texan]

That's why drag events often require steering dampers. I just installed one on my ZX14. It can be dialed in to reduce the chance of his oscillation effect.

 

[JT 384]

Thanks Ignacio and everyone else for the info.

JT