above 80 MPH, and on windy days, I get severe steering wobble (left to right motion of the handlebars).
It is my conclusion that it's being caused by wind turbulence from the factory front headlight cowl that came with my '95 (but is somewhat rare among the GS produced).
Anyone else have this issue, or think otherwise?
Not a vibration like unbalanced wheels. My other hypothesis was bent forks, or that it is being caused by my oversized rear tire combination (see signature below). However, I've only experienced it on windy days, and with the front cowl installed. And it is not limited to turns, I experience it while driving straight ahead as well.
light bikes don't like wind. get a steering damper.
I have no such problems at any speed.
How confident are you in your shop?
Sounds vaguely like an RFV (Radial Force Variation) problem, and not all tire machines can test for that.
Quote from: makenzie71 on July 16, 2007, 05:29:18 PM
light bikes don't like wind. get a steering damper.
i know i am going to get heat ovefr this but i can't let this pass....steering damper on a gs is like puting a silk dress on a pig :kiss3:
Time to check the bearings ?
steering dampers should be on every bike.
By wobble...are the bars moving or is the bike wobbling with the bars perfectly still?
Quote from: makenzie71 on July 16, 2007, 06:08:54 PM
steering dampers should be on every bike.
By wobble...are the bars moving or is the bike wobbling with the bars perfectly still?
being a smarty pants aside i agree...they should be stock
Quote from: krypto35 on July 16, 2007, 05:27:25 PM
above 80 MPH, and on windy days, I get severe steering wobble (left to right motion of the handlebars).
movement is in the handlebars, frame and trail are steady - which is why I somewhat ruled out alignment or rear tire problems. Isolated to front end.
Just a characteristic of the lightweight bike. Get a damper.
makenzi71 said:
Just a characteristic of the lightweight bike. Get a damper.
That's too much of a generalization imho.
I've enjoyed a wobble-free gs for >16,000 miles now, and only felt a very minimal wobble at speeds in excess of 90 mph, and only barely perceptable.
I really hope folks aren't neglecting things that are important (SAFETY) and just slapping on steering dampers when things go weird on their previousely fine ride.
Check the bearings, tire preasures, alignment and if you can't find a cause, take it to a pro.
A wobble can turn into a handshake with Mr. Death.
+1 ohgood
Always check tire pressure first! It is very easy to do, and if it's low it can cause the symptoms you're discribing.
Steering damper? If if were absolutely necessary, I think the bike would have one stock. I agree that it might be a nice addition, but it shouldn't be required to make the bike operate normally in normal conditions (windy at 80 mph is pretty normal, not legal in most states, but normal).
To check your steering bearings, put your bike on the center stand and grab your front wheel, and try to move it forward and backward. If there is any play, then your bearings are probably bad. You could also check your fork brace bolts to make sure they are tight. That has caused a little shimmy for me in the past. Mostly, for me, it's been tire pressure.
Headshake at 80MPH means something is wrong, steering damper are not meant to correct for issues with handling at moderate speeds, and yes 80MPH is a moderate speed.
CHeck the steering head bearings, get the front wheel off the ground and support the bike securely(do a search and you will find a multitude of ways) and pull and push on the frok stanchions, it should not have any play.
Also turn the forks left to right and feel if it has free movement or does it have some places it catches.
Check tire pressure both front and rear.
Check the wheel bearings by pulling off the wheel and rotating the inner portion of the bearing. IT should turn smoothly and should not have vary much axial play.
What type of tires do you have?
I took my 89GS to 110 mph in a steady cross wind with no shake.Felt solid and stable.To day I braved 15mph wind gusts at 75 to 80 mph,no shake.The wind did push me around a little.I would think head bearings or possible wheel bearings getting loose.Have you checked the front axle bolt and spacers?Just tossing out some ideas.
Try relaxing the death-grip. I have the same problem occasionally and relaxing a bit always solves the issue.
I should also add that keeping your forearms parallel to the ground when riding helps quite a bit too.
it's NOT my grip - my first thought was the relax on the handlebars when i feel the shake... i've even been daring enough to let go of the handlebars - even that doesnt remedy the situation. In order to stop the wobbling I grip the tank full force with my knees and pull back or push forward hard on the handlebars to steady them.
Everyone who is mentioning that they are not feeling anything from wind...... are you riding WITH a front cowl on your headlight? Please note that my original post was about the turbulance concerns of the headlight cowl. I doubt many folks have them on their GS as I have been told they are pretty rare -- barely ever spot them on eBay, thats for sure.
I have an upper and lower targa faring and it just sends the wind into my chest.
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/motorcycle015.jpg)
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/motorcycle006.jpg)
well i got an 06 and i have had the same problem since i bought it new at like 85 to 100 the front will shake and i to have thought of a dampner but dont know what would work on it
Quote from: ben2go on July 18, 2007, 09:45:29 AM
I have an upper and lower targa faring and it just sends the wind into my chest.
But it actually looks good, unlike the Vader-helmet style headlight on the GS500F!
-b.
hmm, sounds like another one not going for the root of the problem. the bike should not wag or wobble at any speed. yes, if it were towed up to 200+ mph the tires would desentigrate and the bearings explode, but i doubt a wobble.
ignoring a wag or wobble and putting on more parts just doesn't make sense.
please take the bike to a competent pro with bonefied insurance.
ride safer
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....
:cheers:
Does anyone know if/how this problem was solved?
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
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).
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.
Quote from: Neo420 on July 28, 2007, 09:28:14 AM
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....
:cheers:
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..
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 ;)
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....
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 :bs:) 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!
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?
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.
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 ?
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc234/Abysalone/Picture117.jpg)
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.....
Quote from: TobySuzuki on June 20, 2008, 05:00:15 AM
(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc234/Abysalone/Picture117.jpg)
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.
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 )
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.
Quote from: jgreth on June 20, 2008, 12:58:00 PM
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! :o
Quote from: TobySuzuki on June 21, 2008, 07:08:05 AM
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).
Quote from: TobySuzuki on June 21, 2008, 07:08:05 AM
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.
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.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d93/ohgooditsme/bandaid.jpg)
First off I agree with everyone above, check the basics if only for piece pf mind.
Additionally Headshake can be caused by road conditions and throttle applications under certain circumstances. If you really whack the thing open will exiting a corner and the road has some braking bumps or pavement ripples the light front end will skip across the bumbs and cause the death wobble.. Letting off the throttle helps a little but I have found steadily decreasing the throttle along with applying both brakes lightly will pull it through.
I had a flat spot on my front tire that caused a wobble. didn't notice it till I got past 60-65 and then only when I hit a bump or I bumped the handlebars. It was time for new tires anyways so I just was careful until I got the new tires on. I'd check the tires really well for any out of roundness problems. In my case it was some cheap Kenda's I now have some Pirelli Sport Demons. Good tires no wobbles, shakes noting.. solid up past 100 (110 indicated)
Oxygen
well thank all of you for your imput on the issue i found that the front tire was not balanced right and i also lowered it about 2 inchs and there is no wobble any more