Head Shake

T

thefirstone

New member
I took my new 2011 RG Ultra in for the 1k service today. I also asked them to check out the head shake I am experiencing at 40 - 45 mph.

When I picked up the bike they said the head bearing was out of adjustment and that they adjusted it. Needless to say, the head shake is still there.

It happens at 40 - 45 mph when I have an extremely light grip on the bars or am riding no hands. It happens consistently on all but the smoothest road surfaces. It happens occasionally on real smooth fresh paved road surfaces.

The service writer at Simi Valley HD said this was normal. I said that my two BMW's, my Goldwing and my wife's V-Star 1100 don't do it. His answer, if you can believe this, was that Harley uses different engineering, that the other makes cited use cartridge dampeners and Harley doesn't which can cause this condition.

He then stated that it doesn't happen on very smooth roads, only on rougher roads (he cited that he rode for 1/2 mile, no hands, on the new asphalt pavement near the shop). I countered back that it happens on the freeway on and off ramps and most other roads that aren't freshly paved. He then stated that it happens when a bump is hit at the subject speed and he restated that it is normal for this type of Harley.

I asked him to provide me a statement in writing that it is the position of Simi Valley HD that this condition is normal. He refused and stated that he would send a written statement to HD corporate.

So my question to all of you is.... Am I being overly concerned here? Is this a normal condition? Or am I justified with my concerns?

I thank you in advance for your replies
 
My personal opinion is that you are not being overly concerned.

My '07 SG with almost 34,000 miles doesn't do it at all.

I would keep complaining. A buddy of mine with an '09 RG was having shaking issues and he kept complaining about it and it turned out to be a front wheel bearing.

Good Luck and Welcome to the Forum!!
 
My buddy's street glide does the same thing I think, if what you're describing is like a wiggle. His occurs at 70+...

The bike never did it before he added a PM Heathen 18"/21" combo with a 200 rear tire. Stock it rode straight as an arrow.

What you describe is not normal. I've ridded LOTS of newer Harleys (including Fuglys), and they've all tracked dead-nuts straight. Only my K1200GT with a defective front Metzeler had a wiggle and pull to the right...
 
Thanks for the replies. It's a wiggle of the handlebars. It worsens towards becoming a full on tank slapper if I don't immediately grip the bars. Nothing other than highway pegs and a low windshield have been added to the bike. The fairing is fixed on a RG and the windshield is the Harley Windsplitter so it shouldn't make a difference.

The bike is stock with 850 miles.

Thanks
 
When he mentioned the dampener b/s you should have shaken your head and left.. to find another dealer.

I assume tire pressure is correct? verify with a second air guage.
 
I just got back from a 400 mile jaunt today on my 09 Road King and that thing tracks just fine. Not sportbike-like straight but surprisingly good. I test it once in a while but letting go of the bars or using the lightest touch, and I don't get anything close to the wiggle you're describing. Something is off.
 
This stuff really makes you wonder......at Harley service writer school does the instructor start each day of class with, "Ok boys and girls, what do you tell a customer when they come in with a problem?". "THAT'S NORMAL!!!". "Very good class, now onto today's lesson......".
 
There was a member a while back that had the same problem. I think his name was squierjim, I tried to find the post but didn't see it. I think it was the steering head bearings & he had to show them the bulliten before they would do anything.
 
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