Steering Stabilizer
- Thread starter ray694
- Start date
strokerlmt
Moderator
I have one as well. I have never had a speed wobble or front end shake. I do reach down and crank it up if I am going to break 100mph. It certainly feels like the front is more stiff and solid. Remember to crank it down so when you move the bike around in the garage you can turn 
LMT
LMT
Thanks for the replys. I talked to some friends who have been riding a while, and they said that head shake /tank slap happens very rarely on the street, but mostly on a track at higher speeds. They made it sound like I had a better chance of lightning striking me than having this happen. Being a new rider, I take advice about these matters at face value, so am I being too cautious...? I just didn't want to end up with one of those "awe crap" moments at 70 mph....
I spoke to the head tech where I bought my bike, about a similar problem I had with feeling a little unstable at higher speeds, and he said that the two-piece frames on the Bonneville made them a little shaky at speeds around 70 or higher.....
Motley
750cc
I wouldn't believe that for a second! I would suggest a windshield may be the cause, or your tires. Possibly even the jacket you wear.
I have the Norman Hyde steering damper on my Thruxton, and I've found it does make a noticeable difference.
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...more than likely it is the windshield, or possibly the tires.....but I do know my 2014 T100 with no windshield and new tires does get a little squirrely over 75-80...which lead to me questioning the head tech at my dealership...
which base on personal experience and expert feedback validates the possibility....at least for me.
bluesforchallah
Rocker
I've never felt any shake or anything unstable with sustained speeds of 70+, but when getting on the throttle and quickly accelerating, there are times that I've felt the front end get light. I once felt a front end wobble on my T100 when hitting the throttle to pass a car. But again, when already up to speed and the speeds are sustained, I've never had an issue.
The "front end feeling light" were my exact words I used to describe what I was feeling at that time. And it was at a time of acceleration.... It made me a little nervous, so I backed off, which started me inquiring about steering stabilizers... I guess this feeling is inherent to this model...?
strokerlmt
Moderator
I think the "head" tech is smoking something. I have never heard anyone talk about "2 piece frame" being shaky. My 2 piece frame takes me from 70-100mph smooth as can be. In fact I did it twice on Sunday. I have progressive springs in the front and Work's rear shocks. IMHO 2 piece frame has nothing to do with the issue. (unless the frame bolts are loose):cheers:
LMT
my 05 Thruxton has never felt "light" just put some weight on the front end when stuffing it into a turn
retrorider
Scooter
A bike's tendency to produce a tank slapper is directly related to the steepness of the steering head angle and is inversely related to the steering trail. Sport bikes, which have more vertical steering angles, are more likely to produce this effect (that, and the fact that sport riders like to do wheelies, which sometimes induce steering wobble on landing), which is why they usually have integrated steering dampers. Bonnies are less likely to have this problem because they have larger steering angles and longer trail. Nonetheless, I installed a steering damper on my Bonnie. I think of it as life insurance.
