high speed steering wobble

[beRto]

Does anyone know if/how this problem was solved?

[frankieG]

the only time i have ever had a wobble, on various bikes, was when i did not have my hands on the bars doing a stunt

[oramac]

A quick search of "steering wobble" revealed this thread:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=16981.0

I've had issues with wobble that were cleared up with 1.  keeping correct tire pressure (it can be low even when it *looks* fine), and 2.  checking the fork brace bolts (they had loosened due to vibrations).

[beRto]

I don't have any problems with steering wobble (hopefully it stays that way!), I was just interested in this particular thread. I thought someone might know the OP and be able to give an update on how it was resolved.

Thanks.

[nastynate6695]

How many miles are on that front tire? I don't really have this problem on my current bike, but I have run into it several times on other bikes and it was always just a worn out/out of balance front tire. They have a tendancy to lose their perfect balance before they wear off their tread. If the front tire has some significant milage but is still usable, take it in and have it re-balanced... i bet that cures your problem....

I believe this is the problem...had this happen to me with my 96 on I-95... anything past 100 and she would wobble.   Took the front tire in and exchanged it for a new one and had no problems..

[ohgood]

I had high speed wobbles on my trek 5200 carbon fiber road menace but not on my gs. Well, I take that back, there was a vibration once, when my pressure was low, but not since i started checking again

[TobySuzuki]

I get a wabble at 100 and over. Got new tires, did forks. but it still does it.I got a 98 and I just put a tail clip on nad Im working on a Front clip now . Check out Super gs500 in the forums. I have a 97 ninja triple trees And forks ect. Thinking of doing it but its gettin close to summer....

[myfirstluv]

I get wobble at high speed like toby or at high speed when it is very windy.

Also make sure your tires are not over inflated.  The recommended tire pressure is OPTIMAL.  It shouldn't necassarily be set to 33-front and 36 rear all the time.  It should all depend on your own weight and riding conditions.  You want some "give" so you make better contact with the road and get more friction/grip.

I have a slightly heavier build, about 220 at 5'9" (BTW: all of which is muscle... cough, cough ) and I keep my tires closer to the recommended pressure since I ALSO commute to school and my books weigh a ton.

I hope this helps and make sense.  If I am incorrect on any of my thinking PLEASE, someone correct me!

[ivany]

Agreed, I have pretty much topped out my bike before (100+ indicated, probably 90-95 IRL) and had no instability whatsoever. The steering gets a bit quick above 60 but I'm sure you're used to this. No wobbly.

Also, a steering damper is such ridiculous overkill for a GS. Please, most 600s don't need one, why a bike with 1/3rd the horsies?

[Bob Broussard]

Ok, here's a couple things to try out.

The wind buffeting on your arms can cause some wobble. Try tucking in and see how that effects things.
Also wobble can come from the rear even though it seems like it's the frontend causing it.
Increase the rear shock preload and/or scoot your weight back on the seat.

[ohgood]

I'm wondering if wobble is being confused with simple wind push now ?

Sure, I get pushed around some when it's windy. I'm basicly a 6'4" sail on the little gs. Getting pushed around on a flat, open highway isn't fun, but crouching isn't comfortable for long periods. IF I duck behind my screen it's gone, gone gone, but seeing Lurch on a scooter comes to mind as an impression of me crouched on a gs

I don't ride >60 MPH much, and the local twisties are more fun if you don't go in too hot anyway. There are actually some roads that still have scrapes (not just marks) from previous low sides.

So, real wobble, or just wind push ?

[TobySuzuki]

I got new tires at a shop and they balanced and mounted them and I still get wobble above 80 when theres wind.. I ve ran 120  ON THE TRACK and no wobble but if theres wind it is BAD. Ordered Stabalizer will let you know how it works...Bike is for sell too. 3 frames, 2 running motors and alot of other stuff. Check out Super gs500.....

[ohgood]

I got new tires at a shop and they balanced and mounted them and I still get wobble above 80 when theres wind.. I ve ran 120  ON THE TRACK and no wobble but if theres wind it is BAD. Ordered Stabalizer will let you know how it works...Bike is for sell too. 3 frames, 2 running motors and alot of other stuff. Check out Super gs500.....

bad wheel bearings ?
bent wheel ?
loose/over torqued steering tube bearings ?
ruined steering tube bearings ?
bent frame ?
rear wheel alignment ?
are you pulling on the bars instead of pushing ?
tire pressures ?
cush drive is tight and in good condition ?
brake rotors aren't bent ?

i'm afraid the steering stabilizer will mask a potentially fatal mechanical problem, for a while. it shouldn't wobble or wiggle at any speed, ever.

[jgreth]

I just found this thread and I also have a bit of wobble > 85-90 mph.  I think mine is my tire pressure though, I haven't checked them in a good month or more....    ( just me being lazy )

[TobySuzuki]

Took it to a shop everything is good. They said it was wind on light bike. I weigh 170 so its not that light. Ive had diff tires on there and it was the same. If I slide back on the seat it gets worse like the front end is light. Almost like when u start a wheelie. Highway when u hit bumps it will get a wobble at normal speed and worse the faster u go. Been riding it for 2 years and no crash and it gets regular matanance. Ive gotten used to the wobble and it dont slow me down.

[beRto]

I just found this thread and I also have a bit of wobble > 85-90 mph.  I think mine is my tire pressure though, I haven't checked them in a good month or more....    ( just me being lazy )

If I ran at speeds faster than 90 mph (150 km/h), I'd want to be pretty sure my tire pressures were up to spec! 

[beRto]

Took it to a shop everything is good. They said it was wind on light bike. I weigh 170 so its not that light. Ive had diff tires on there and it was the same. If I slide back on the seat it gets worse like the front end is light. Almost like when u start a wheelie. Highway when u hit bumps it will get a wobble at normal speed and worse the faster u go. Been riding it for 2 years and no crash and it gets regular matanance. Ive gotten used to the wobble and it dont slow me down.

This doesn't sound right to me. I think you're near the single passenger weight for which the bike was designed; I don't think Suzuki designed-in a steering wobble! At the very least, I'd get a second shop to look it over. At best, I'd stop riding until I found the source of the problem (i.e. work through the list ohgood posted above).

[ohgood]

Took it to a shop everything is good. 1) They said it was wind on light bike. I weigh 170 so its not that light. Ive had diff tires on there and it was the same. 2) If I slide back on the seat it gets worse like the front end is light. Almost like when u start a wheelie. Highway when u hit bumps it will get a wobble at normal speed and worse the faster u go. Been riding it for 2 years and no crash and it gets regular matanance. Ive gotten used to the wobble and it dont slow me down.

1) get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinion until someone can find the problem. there -IS- a problem !
2) that's scary.
the others italic things, even scarier.

the gs is not a bike known for headshake, wiggles, or wobbles, provided it's bearings and alignments are within spec. some other older bikes are -known- for headshake. and wobble. and weave. some were never recalled. some are still on the road, the owners know it, and just don't go that fast. the fact that something is wrong with yours, you know it, and continue to ride it AT THE SPEED WHICH INDUCES THE WOBBLE/WIGGLE is just plain dumb.

some shops will be glad to take your money @ $80 to diagnose a hiccup in a carb, or a wobbly front end. others will jsut dismiss it because they KNOW IT'S BEYOND THEIR LEVEL OF EXPERTISE, and cannot justify the hourly rate without fixing the problem. <-- that's a hint.

ok, don't fix it if you want. your choice. 

a car with a wheel out of balance or a bad tie rod end still affords you some protection from other vehicles with it's high strength steel cage, crumple zones, air bags, seat belts, and soft , soft cushy plastic interior. think about the levels of protection that will touch your body in that order in a typical car crash.

now think about your bike.

[TobySuzuki]

funny, I got my dampener today and went for a 200 mile ride and it did not wobble at all.$80 bucks and it fixed it without all the shops. I thank you all for you input and I will post picks as soon as I get them.Only got to 90 one time and it was a little windy like feel it push you windy. No wobble at any speed and it did not feel so loose going in and coming out of turns.

[ohgood]