Originally Posted by wavesnwheels (Post 208198)

Hi

I was riding the other day fairly quickly through some nice country roads. As I entered a village I started to slow down, at about 45mph I took my hands off the bars and looked round, when I looked back the bars were shaking and had I not grabbed them would have entered a full on tank slapper.

I pulled over and checked what I could, everything looked ok and nothing felt loose. I tentatively sent off again and at 45 took my hands from the bars again and the same thing happened. On returning home I checked the tyre pressures which were 30 f and 33 r this is what the manual states for under 90kg. Just to be on the safe side I upped them to 33 f and 36 r and went out again. This was a few days later. The same hands off bars at 45 and no wobble. I can't believe that running the tyres 3 psi more has cured it and am concerned that after my spirited riding prior to the original instance was showing up something like a failing front wheel bearing?

I will obviously investigate this further but wondered if this rang any bells with anyone who could offer advice.

Thanks

If I've posted in the wrong place please move and apologies.

Originally Posted by dommiek (Post 208217)

My old VT500 despatch bike did exactly the same, closed throttle, decelerating and hands off the bars usually talking on or listening to the radio. Some bikes just do this. I wouldn't be too concerned!

Originally Posted by fridolin (Post 208229)

I would, because my tenere doesn't do this.

Originally Posted by keithy2 (Post 208213)

DONT TAKE BOTH HANDS OFF THE BARS :icon_eek:

Originally Posted by sweller (Post 208231)

My Ten would shake its head loaded up at low speeds (5-10 mph) - now I know that's not what you experienced - but I found increasing the preload reduced its tendency to shake.

I also repacked and adjusted the head bearings a couple of months after and I've not had to muck about with the preload since.

Originally Posted by Schnidely (Post 208237)

A correctly set up bike shouldn't wobble with hands free riding. Two major causes are steering head bearings on there way out and or front tyre wearing unevenly. Most tyres wear unevenly if you look closely. Loosening the head bearings a pinch if they are notchy and increasing the tyre pressure should alleviate the problem. Good luck