Unexpected Death Wobble - Gen 6 VFR

Some here will want pix as proof..

 

no don't bother-only stupid people don't know the head bearings are shoT!

 

I didn't see any head banging on the vid.

 

And this is coming from a person that rides less then 1k a year......RIGHT!

 

LOL, Ok Just for the sake of knowing...again. I tried this, again, on decell coming off the freeway off ramp, this one has a long slight downhill grade for a good 1/2mile, I sat up and coasted no hands from 70 down through 35MPH I was ready as I knew what it does. Guess what, it didn't do it it's the tires. Prior to this I do agree with the idea that the head bearings could play a apart, but these on this 5th gen haven't been touched with 34k on the clock, so....???

 

Funny, did the exact same thing last night getting off the frwy, PR3 front with around 5k and nothing.
38000 miles on the clock.....hum

 

Interesting thread, I'm on an 8th Gen so it's a different bike but I confess I sit up to stretch fairly often with both hands off at around that speed and it has never happened to me. Still on the original OEM Dunlops at around 5000 miles. Might be a little more inclined to keep one hand on from now on.

Going back to an earlier post, if the old tyres are out of shape from sitting with low pressure, I doubt very much that reinflating them to high pressure would change anything as the elastomers stiffen with age. So the rubber is harder which means less grip and more risk of a catastrophic failure and blow out. As the tyres are essentially the first part of the suspension, having the carcass stiffen up may also tend to contribute to issues like head shake as you are getting less flex in the tyre to absorb any bumps and variations.

 

https://youtu.be/5Qf6Sv3A9zs

 

Don't give up guys. Keep trying until it's right! The experience is invaluable and cleaning your skivvies is fairly inexpensive.

 

Or just watch this and be thankful it wasn't you...

[video=youtube;Zu-vReD3Jx0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu-vReD3Jx0[/video]

 

I checked the steering head bearings, very smooth back and forth, no indents or gritty feel. And brand new Metzeler Roadtec Z8s are on the way. Bought em' on Jake Wilson.com for $251 with a $50 rebate from Metzeler.

I've put some 500 miles on the bike in the last 2 weeks and have allot more confidence on it but can still induce the wobble almost at will. Hopefully the Z8s will cure it.

Just changed the brake/clutch fluid, a new air filter and coolant flush are on the docket for this weekend along with getting the new rubber mounted. Should be ready to start modifying it after that!

And thanks to everyone for the feedback. Appreciate it.

 

:joker:stop doing wheelies and front end might keep working

 

Steering damper, the best tires and bearings, both hands on the bars, fast guy aboard but it couldn't happen to me because..................

 

They must not have made very good steering head bearings back in 99. lol

 

:tclaw:

that's true -it could never happen to me

 

Has anyone mentioned that getting new tires is a good idea?

 

A few dozen!

 

What are the best tires to get? %)

 

Free ones. Made of rubber.

 

I wonder if when new tires are mounted and the bike still shakes it's head, remounting the tires backward might help?