[The Wicked One]

What’s up peeps 🤙🏽 Another question if I may. i live in an area where I have to pay for tolls. When I’m coming up on the pay booth, I let go of the Handel bars to remove my gloves so When I stop I can search for some cash to pay the toll. I’ve noticed the as soon as I let go of said handle bars i get a wobble like I’ve never experienced with any other bike Ive owned. Anyone else experience this? Or am I the only knucklehead who removes his hands from the bars? Is there a steering damper I should look for? Suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[BrokeAssCycles]

Infamous death wobble. Numerous possible causes. Under inflated tire, loose axle, bad tire, bad or loose steering stem bearings...
Check the easiest stuff first.

 

[Flying Translator]

Are your both front and rear wheels balanced?

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Do you carry either a heavy top case and/or side cases? LOL, something like a 16-pound bowling ball in a top case can cause all kinds of handling issues, ask me how I know!

 

[The Wicked One]

Do you carry either a heavy top case and/or side cases? LOL, something like a 16-pound bowling ball in a top case can cause all kinds of handling issues, ask me how I know!

Lol. I do have a case but it’s mostly empty. I think it has my iPods in it right now.

 

[The Wicked One]

Are your both front and rear wheels balanced?

The bike was a used 2020 model with 1100 miles when I purchased it. Now has 1800 miles. So I will get them checked

 

[The Wicked One]

Infamous death wobble. Numerous possible causes. Under inflated tire, loose axle, bad tire, bad or loose steering stem bearings...
Check the easiest stuff first.

Tires are at spec. Axles not loose. I don’t think the steering stem bearing would go bad at 1800 miles but I will check. Thank you for the info.

 

[Axel Johansson]

Has it been lowered in the rear?

 

[BrokeAssCycles]

Tires are at spec. Axles not loose. I don’t think the steering stem bearing would go bad at 1800 miles but I will check. Thank you for the info.

I'm just giving you typical causes. My son's Voyager had the wobble and a new front tire cured it. My Ninja 500 had it and it was a close-to-seized front wheel bearing. Lotta Vulcan owners report new steering stem bearings (or just a tightening) cured theirs. It's not normal, that much is certain.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Grabbin' at straws here- if the front and rear wheels weren't in alignment, relative to each other, could that be a cause?

 

[BrokeAssCycles]

Grabbin' at straws here- if the front and rear wheels weren't in alignment, relative to each other, could that be a cause?

Yes

 

[DanIII]

Does it wobble only as you approach the toll booth or does it wobble anytime you take your hands off the bars? Reason for asking this, the problem could be the road surface rather than the bike.

 

[The Wicked One]

Has it been lowered in the rear?

No. Stock height.

 

[The Wicked One]

Does it wobble only as you approach the toll booth or does it wobble anytime you take your hands off the bars? Reason for asking this, the problem could be the road surface rather than the bike.

Great question. Anytime I let go of the handle bars it starts to shake. All speeds.

 

[Flying Translator]

Are the tires a front and rear pair? Or are the tires different brands / models? (Probably they are a matching pair, but it's one more thing to check.) How worn are they? What pressures are you running? I suggest 28 psi in the front and 32 psi in the rear.

To your knowledge, has the bike ever been dropped? (Look for scuff marks.)

Have the front forks been raised up through the triple clamps to lower the front end? (Probably not.)

 

[The Wicked One]

Are the tires a front and rear pair? Or are the tires different brands / models? (Probably they are a matching pair, but it's one more thing to check.) How worn are they? What pressures are you running? I suggest 28 psi in the front and 32 psi in the rear.

To your knowledge, has the bike ever been dropped? (Look for scuff marks.)

Have the front forks been raised up through the triple clamps to lower the front end? (Probably not.)

More great questions. Stock height. Tires are a matching set and still meaty. Bike has never been dropped that I can tell. no scuff marks nor scratched paint. I’ll recheck the tire pressures but I believe they are set to 28 and 32.

 

[BrokeAssCycles]

More great questions. Stock height. Tires are a matching set and still meaty. Bike has never been dropped that I can tell. no scuff marks nor scratched paint. I’ll recheck the tire pressures but I believe they are set to 28 and 32.

Get the front wheel off the ground and give it a spin...see if the rim is bent, a cord broke in the tire, the front brake drags, etc...

 

[Flying Translator]

If you have a buddy with a Versys-X 300 (that doesn't wobble), you could ask him to let you ride it. Compare your bike with his. If you are able to induce a wobble in their otherwise non-wobbly bike, that will be very interesting. Also, compare both bikes back-to-back (wiggle the front forks and spin the wheels). Get him to ride your bike and see if it wobbles for him too.

Purpose: take the rider out of the equation.

If you don't have a Versys-X 300 buddy, then this could encourage you to get out there and network with fellow Versys-X 300 riders in your part of the world. (That has to be a good thing.)

 

[The Wicked One]

If you have a buddy with a Versys-X 300 (that doesn't wobble), you could ask him to let you ride it. Compare your bike with his. If you are able to induce a wobble in their otherwise non-wobbly bike, that will be very interesting. Also, compare both bikes back-to-back (wiggle the front forks and spin the wheels). Get him to ride your bike and see if it wobbles for him too.

Purpose: take the rider out of the equation.

If you don't have a Versys-X 300 buddy, then this could encourage you to get out there and network with fellow Versys-X 300 riders in your part of the world. (That has to be a good thing.)

Only buddies I got are on this forum. 🤙🏽

 

[Paterdale.]

What brand and make tyres are you using ? Is it still the OEM ?