help with slight handlebar shake please

[simplysounds]

hi, i have slight handlebar shake at every speed. the bars wobble by about 15-20mm but it's not that violent and doesn't increase. the bike rides and corners ok. only noticed after my arms felt more fatigued than normal after 170 mile trip last week so started to look at all sorts of stuff. please note: it's not me or my arms. if it was i'd get the wife doing other stuff insted! my weight is 16.5 stone (masterchef greg wallace lookalike). height: 5ft 11ins. seat tried in both positions. givi airflow screen.

this is what i've tried so far:

ran on lovely flat fresh tarmac (yes it does exsist). took my hands away from the bars and they wobble.

had brand new tyres fitted (trail attacks) and balanced yesterday as this was my first thought.

lifted the front end up. the bars turn freely with no play in the head
bearing.

moved front wheel side to side and back and forth without any noticeable problems.

spun front wheel and cannot see any deviation of the rim and it seems to run true and spokes are all tight.

front suspension is factory setup and has not been altered from new. rear is on standard and i've tried different rear settings on the hand wheel.

i did drop the bike recently on the right side at no speed and very slowly. the front seems true and rides straight.

is the movement normal? if not please can anyone help me?

cheers, nigey

 

[wully]

Try searching for the problem on here- loads of people have had this issue with the Conti Trail Attacks- me included -slight wobble at 75+ worse under braking from 30 but noticeable at every speed in my case.

Not all Contis have this fault but it should be a warranty claim.

hi, i have slight handlebar shake at evry speed. the bars wobble by by about 15-20mm but it's not that violent. the bike rides and corners ok. haven't noticed (or looked for previously). only noticed my arms felt more fatigued than normal after 170 mile trip last week so started to look at all sorts of stuff. please note: it's not me or my arms. if it was i'd get the wife doing other stuff! my weight is 16.5 stone (greg wallace lookalike). height: 5ft 11ins

this is what i've tried so far:

ran on lovely flat fresh tarmac (yes it does exsist). took my hands away from the bars and they wobble.

had brand new tyres fitted (trail attacks) and balanced yesterday as this was my first thought.

lifted the front end up. the bars turn freely with no play in the head
bearing.

moved front wheel side to side and back and forth without any noticeable problems.

spun front wheel and cannot see any deviation of the rim and it seems to run true and spokes are all tight.

front suspension is factory setup and has not been altered from new. rear is on standard and i've tried different rear settings on the hand wheel.

i did drop the bike recently on the right side at no speed and very slowly. the front seems true and rides straight.

is the movement normal? if not please can anyone help me?

cheers, nigey

 

[simplysounds]

Try searching for the problem on here- loads of people have had this issue with the Conti Trail Attacks- me included -slight wobble at 75+ worse under braking from 30 but noticeable at every speed in my case.

Not all Contis have this fault but it should be a warranty claim.

don't think it's that as it did it on my dunlop tr91's with front at 3.5mm and rear at 6mm in lowest parts. haven't tried at anything over 35mph and ok breaking.

 

[Schtum]

You don't say which year the bike is but I'd imagine its pre 2008 as the steering geometry was slightly more relaxed until that model year. Contrary to what you might expect, a bit more trail coupled with not enough weight over the front wheel which your excess bulk won't help tended to induce a weave.

Also, how many miles are on the bike and the shocks - are they past their best?

You could try adding nearly maximum preload on the rear + another 1/2 to 3/4 turn of rebound damping and perhaps cranking the front preload up to the third notch. The front is normally on the second notch but since you weigh what you do....

 

[simplysounds]

You don't say which year the bike is but I'd imagine its pre 2008 as the steering geometry was slightly more relaxed until that model year. Contrary to what you might expect, a bit more trail coupled with not enough weight over the front wheel which your excess bulk won't help tended to induce a weave.

Also, how many miles are on the bike and the shocks - are they past their best?

You could try adding nearly maximum preload on the rear + another 1/2 to 3/4 turn of rebound damping and perhaps cranking the front preload up to the third notch. The front is normally on the second notch but since you weigh what you do....

bike is 2006 with nearly 21k miles on the clock. the shocks are ok. bike never ridden off road, only gentle road miles. i'll try the settings you suggested and report back. many thanks for your help.

 

[solidstate100]

I would definitely try increasing the front pre load by at least one notch.

As an experiment also I might try increasing the tyre pressures a touch over standard to give you solo plus luggage type settings - if this make no difference (or maybe makes it worse) perhaps try reducing them - the front one is likely to be the most influential.

Also the question/reply posted here about mileage/age/condition is relevant - but the first two above a free to try and fix, so why not do a bit of experimentation there first - nothing to lose?

Cheers

 

[simplysounds]

I would definitely try increasing the front pre load by at least one notch.

As an experiment also I might try increasing the tyre pressures a touch over standard to give you solo plus luggage type settings - if this make no difference (or maybe makes it worse) perhaps try reducing them - the front one is likely to be the most influential.

Also the question/reply posted here about mileage/age/condition is relevant - but the first two above a free to try and fix, so why not do a bit of experimentation there first - nothing to lose?

Cheers

i've now put the front up by one notch and the rear damping to max, preload to standard. tyres are at 37.5psi rear and 32psi front (unaltered from first fitting). i'll try it out tomorrow, tweak as advised and report back. p.s. also charged atomic batteries : )

 

[Schtum]

i've now put the front up by one notch and the rear damping to max, preload to standard. tyres are at 37.5psi rear and 32psi front (unaltered from first fitting). i'll try it out tomorrow, tweak as advised and report back. p.s. also charged atomic batteries : )

I much prefer tyre pressures of 36 / 42 - F/R under all conditions.

 

[Giles]

I've dropped my tyre pressures a tad on my TR91's, they had quite a harsh ride to them at 36 / 42, and feel a lot better (to me) at about 34 / 40. (i'm guessing that some of the 80 /20, road /off road tyres have a beefed up side wall). I wouldn't go as low as 37 / 32 though, and i'm nearly four stone lighter than you....

 

[rob mac]

I had the same with Conti Trail Attacks, borrowed a front wheel with a Tourance fitted as a test, problem cured. Returned to tyre dealer and had the Conti replaced (only 1600 miles on it) with a Tourance_ perfect. To my suprise I recieved a cheque for 75% two weeks later as the tyre had been examined back at Conti and found faulty. As the rear was a new Conti TA I thought I'd use it up on a trip through France and Spain, it lasted 600 miles and started causing a noisy vibration, had to have an Anokee fitted in France to cure it.

 

[simplysounds]

I've dropped my tyre pressures a tad on my TR91's, they had quite a harsh ride to them at 36 / 42, and feel a lot better (to me) at about 34 / 40. (i'm guessing that some of the 80 /20, road /off road tyres have a beefed up side wall). I wouldn't go as low as 37 / 32 though, and i'm nearly four stone lighter than you....

ditto: i had anakee's then tourances then tr91's. the tr91's have a firmer side wall an i agree that lower pressures are better for that tyre.

 

[cookie]

Did the wobble start after you dropped the bike?

If so, I suggest the front end may not be as true as it seems.

 

[simplysounds]

Did the wobble start after you dropped the bike?

If so, I suggest the front end may not be as true as it seems.

can't say for sure. i think the front is true. i've had 21 bikes so far and dropped a few resulting in bits being out and i'd say this one is ok. i'm going to try the suspension settings first. i did notice the haynes manual says for the gs/gsa the front has preload settings from 1-9 and bmw say 5 for road riding 9 for off road. problem is either my bike is different or haynes are wrong. the bmw handbook says 1-5, 2 for road and 5 for off road. mine is now on 4 (fat git on light gravel road mode).

 

[Schtum]

mine is now on 4 (fat git on light gravel road mode).

That's not going to help the problem. If you're on the 4th preload notch on the front shock, you've got even more trail and taken even more weight off the front wheel than I thought. For road use, go down to the 3rd notch on the front or even the 2nd.

 

[snaponphil]

Substitution

As someone suggested on earlier reply...

Try a different front wheel & tyre from a known good source, could be all sorts from worn wheel bearings to bent wheel centre or even brake discs..

I personally get a few vibes about 70mph on a 2011 GSA but not 'movement' of the handlebars, I seem to remember my Raleigh 3speeder having a similar problem when I let go of the handlebars on a down hill Tarmac section..

Good luck..

 

[Dr.KC]

hi,

1. i have slight handlebar shake at every speed.
2. the bars wobble by about 15-20mm
3. the bike rides and corners ok.
4. only noticed after my arms felt more fatigued than normal after 170 mile trip last week
5. had brand new tyres fitted (trail attacks)

OK, please do not waste your time on searching.

The problem comes from your brand new frond tire. Try to go back to the tire shop and change the frond with another new / like new tire (in case you are not covered by the short period warranty.)….if your millage is less than 1K they usually change them.

Also the issue has nothing to do with brands of tires. I had the same issue with EXPs (date 10/10)….changed my frond tire with a used EXP and problem shorted. Also a friend of mine had the same issue with a TR-91 (04/11)…the tire shop offered him replacement with a new TR-91 and he also solved the problem.

So just go to the tire shop and explain to them.

 

[cookie]

OK, please do not waste your time on searching.

The problem comes from your brand new frond tire. Try to go back to the tire shop and change the frond with another new / like new tire (in case you are not covered by the short period warranty.)….if your millage is less than 1K they usually change them.

Also the issue has nothing to do with brands of tires. I had the same issue with EXPs (date 10/10)….changed my frond tire with a used EXP and problem shorted. Also a friend of mine had the same issue with a TR-91 (04/11)…the tire shop offered him replacement with a new TR-91 and he also solved the problem.

So just go to the tire shop and explain to them.

he's just very unlucky to have had the problem with two sets of tyres then?

 

[simplysounds]

tried no2 setting on the front and standard settings on the rear (as per bmw gsa handbook). the shake is reduced but still slightly there. i'm now thinking this is the way the bike is? should it shake at all? i really don't think it's the tyres (2 brand ne types fitted in last 6 months). i'll video the movement and post the link.

 

[solidstate100]

No the bike shouldn't shake as standard! Try adjusting tyre pressures as mentioned before

 

[Mr K]

Every bike I have ever owned would wag the bars if you take your hands off at 40 or less.