Vaquero front end wobble

[Einstein]

On Saturday I checked the rebound and shock pressure on the Vaq and today the wife and I set out to have some lunch, on the way back I thought I would test this wobble, well twice it was so bad, had I not placed my hands back on the bars we would have went down for sure. The wobble was so violent and so fast my wife could feel it sitting on the back, one time a fluke, the next time convinced me I should be looking for new tires. At least on the front for sure.
This all happened on deceleration, slowing down hitting 30-20 mph. hands just 1-2" above the bars with no pressure on the bars.
All said and done I am convinced a moment at the wrong time hands off, a moments distraction and you'll find some pavement.
High mileage on a tire is not worth, low safety

[Bubba in TX]

Front wobble does happen more on decel when the weight balance changes to more weight on the front tire. Braking at low speed seems to help stop it. At very high speeds it seems to make it worse.

I have been in pursuit on KZ100P's at about 130 mph and had wobbles start. I would hit the front brake hard and slide up as far as I could on the tank . That always stopped it for me.

Those HD's could never go fast enough to get a high speed wobble...

[Bobh344]

I had a similar issue with my E3s. After replacing the stock front tire with an E3, the bike seemed to wobble, I had lots of grip vibration. I went with the Dynabeads. The ride went to silk - near zero grip vibration and the tires tracked much more evenly. We get some cracks in the road that run the parallel to the direction of travel up here in NH and the bike seemed to grab those before the beads and now it is like they are not even there. I took all the weights off and went with 2 oz in the front and rear.

Perhaps I am masking other problems, but I am happy with the result.

Safe rides!

[like to ride]

I ride a 2010 Voyager with 42,000Km and have the same problem. I had a 2005 VTX 1300 and it had the same problem. I like the Voyager but hate this problem. Like the Honda, these bikes should be recalled and repaired. The rode a new 2012 and it had the same problem. If you find out what the fix is, please let me know. Replacing bearings is not cheap.

[big worm]

sounds to me like they designed these bike without enough rake ...... but thats just a guess on my part

[IL Vaquero]

Well all the owner of shop called and said its ready new bearings and no more wobble let you know when I get back. lets hope so.

[IL Vaquero]

Well just got home from the shop where he replaced the steering head bearings and all wobble is gone. When I took it to kaw that guy said it was because I put the wrong size tire on the back bs I said they need adj and he asked how many miles I said 6400miles. He than said regular wear and tear thats maintince work what a load of crap. I have called kaw and I am seanding them the bearings thry look burnt like not enought to starte with. give me a break I'm hopping to get some free stuff from them or some cupons what do you all think. Thanks all B Cope

[big worm]

that is something that should have been repaired under warranty if it has not expired yet.... just curious, did you bring it to the dealer from which you purchased the bike to have it looked at?

[Bubba in TX]

I would find another dealer in the future if available... I like the smaller mom and pop dealers as they seem to be more friendly and hungry.

I get a little bit of wobble when I need to air up the front tire. Then it is gone for a while til it needs air again. When it gets about 3-4 psi lower than what I carry in it. Just enough wobble to let you know it is trying but not too sure it wants to.

I don't care if the steering bearings are made out of styrofoam. You would never convince me they were worn out at 6400 miles on a street motorcycle. Loose maybe, but not worn out. Unless they were installed wrong. You would be surprised at how flimsy they are anyway.

But if I had to pay for it, I would replace then with a roller bearing kit. And if you keep them forever like I do, it would never act up from the steering bearings again. Yes they cost more. Last one I did was on my last Gold Wing which was a 97. After 100k miles I had to replace the shock seals and while I had it apart I put in the new steering bearings. It never had a wobble before or after.

I drove a Honda Magna home for a guy once (200 miles) that did not have any bearings in the top end at all. That was interesting. Down the highway it never wobbled or acted up. But when you hit the front brake the bars would jump forward about 2 inches and it would make a very loud clunk...

[IL Vaquero]

Originally Posted by big worm

that is something that should have been repaired under warranty if it has not expired yet.... just curious, did you bring it to the dealer from which you purchased the bike to have it looked at?

Did take it to two different dealers both called the rep who said wrong size tire on rear not stock and would do nothing about it. Talked to the shop I bought my yamaha raider from he has kawsaki also told me to bring it to him for any other problem. He said he could get kawasaki to fix it if he had to lie to them he said their that bad about warrenty work.