Head Shake when decelerating

[Salex1066]

Hi All,

On my recent 4K tour of the Balkans I was happy to have a new Top Case from BMW fitted before leaving. Surprisingly half way through the trip I noticed a head shake whilst letting the bike decelerating between 80kmh - 60kmh. Yes I had taken my hands off the grips at the time of this appearance. So I checked several times more (when safe to do so) and each time the same occurred, one handed grip, no hands, and a vague wobble being felt when two handed. On my return I took to my local Service thinking the head bearing was lose or that I'd knackered the front balance/wheel whilst off roading, but after several tests/checks the Tech has determined that the cause is the BMW Top Box! When the Top Box is removed no such head wobble is seen or felt, put the box back on and the head wobble returns.

Seems to be an aerodynamic issue, wonder if anyone else has experienced this with a BMW Top Case or any other Top Case? The bike also has the Vario Panniers but make no difference if on or off.

 

[Mr K]

Most bikes do the same if you take your hands of the bars at these speeds.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

My Blackbird did the same with full luggage when slowing down on a shut throttle from high speed runs 150+ on the autobahns rock solid without the luggage nothing to worry about just keep hold of the bars at all times

My current TC always has a topbox on and even fully loaded never wobbles some bike do some dont

 

[Giles]

Ahhhh c'mon ... live life on the edge ....

Take her up to 140, bang the throttle shut and then stand up like Rossi and salute the crowd ....

 

[david a hall]

Ahhhh c'mon ... live life on the edge ....

Take her up to 140, bang the throttle shut and then stand up like Rossi and salute the crowd ....

I think Indian Larry tried that one.

 

[Engineer]

Hi All,

On my recent 4K tour of the Balkans I was happy to have a new Top Case from BMW fitted before leaving. Surprisingly half way through the trip I noticed a head shake whilst letting the bike decelerating between 80kmh - 60kmh. Yes I had taken my hands off the grips at the time of this appearance. So I checked several times more (when safe to do so) and each time the same occurred, one handed grip, no hands, and a vague wobble being felt when two handed. On my return I took to my local Service thinking the head bearing was lose or that I'd knackered the front balance/wheel whilst off roading, but after several tests/checks the Tech has determined that the cause is the BMW Top Box! When the Top Box is removed no such head wobble is seen or felt, put the box back on and the head wobble returns.

Seems to be an aerodynamic issue, wonder if anyone else has experienced this with a BMW Top Case or any other Top Case? The bike also has the Vario Panniers but make no difference if on or off.

Not surprised, top boxes are the spawn of the devil, would never have one on my bike, they look naff and screw up the handling.

 

[John Armstrong]

Do you have Tourance tyres fitted?

 

[edwgordon]

Hi All,

On my recent 4K tour of the Balkans I was happy to have a new Top Case from BMW fitted before leaving. Surprisingly half way through the trip I noticed a head shake whilst letting the bike decelerating between 80kmh - 60kmh. Yes I had taken my hands off the grips at the time of this appearance. So I checked several times more (when safe to do so) and each time the same occurred, one handed grip, no hands, and a vague wobble being felt when two handed. On my return I took to my local Service thinking the head bearing was lose or that I'd knackered the front balance/wheel whilst off roading, but after several tests/checks the Tech has determined that the cause is the BMW Top Box! When the Top Box is removed no such head wobble is seen or felt, put the box back on and the head wobble returns.

Seems to be an aerodynamic issue, wonder if anyone else has experienced this with a BMW Top Case or any other Top Case? The bike also has the Vario Panniers but make no difference if on or off.

What a loada bolix............ nothing to do with the bike..........top box and idiot rider...... if you want to scratch your arse riding then expect a price for itch relief....a wobble