Is the wobble on the front wheel inherent with a v XII?

[Et1sw47]

OK.. first off, let me explain and before I get the comments... yes.. I know you are not supposed to ride with your hands off the handle bars!!!

But, I noticed the other day that if I take my hands off the handle bars, the wheel starts to wobble. I do not feel a wobble while riding normally but, I have had bikes in the past that would run straight as an arrow if you let go of the handle bars.

So is this just a part of nuance of this bike, or is this something that could be an indication of something else??

Oh the tires look fine (no cupping).

Thanks,

TJ

[ekap1200]

There are as many posts on this subject as stars in the night sky....
Many factors will cause this issue. You will have to go over them all .
Tire's brand and pressure/and how well its seated on the rim and tire balance : steering stem, bearings; condition/pre-load torque :wheel bearings : fork tube bushing : sacked out front springs : fork brace fender bushings,( they will crush in time rendering the fork brace inoperative ) . If this bike is new to you go over everything front to back. Most common is the first nut on the triple tree, ( under the cover, held on with two screws ) I have found 5 out of 10 finger tight ) followed by loose bearing adjustment and followed by the inserts holding the fork brace secure.
I have maybe even missed a few things , I am sure a few will chime in on their findings... Gene Kap.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Tim first WELCOME!!!
Now a lot of folks have experienced a slight wobble around 35-45mph (w hands on bars) but that is most often the result of a steering head bolt not torqued correctly. I've never adjusted mine but I understand its not hard to do.
As for a wobble when riding with hands off the bars, I too have tried it when I got my XII 7years ago and felt that so I just haven't rode hands free. I believe bassicly if you put the bike on the center stand, hold it down on there at so front wheel is up. The front wheel shouldnt fall fast to either side and as well shouldn't stick in any position, the head but should be just tight enough that the wheel falls but casually/slowly to either side if nudged that way.

We've got a few AVA members in &around the state of Ohio, if you want post a request and see if someone is close enough to met up some evening/weekend and compare in person. We also have a local chapter of the AVA, the Mid-Atlantic Voyagers. If we gather your way I'll give you a shout so you can see several years and various machines at one time.

Again, welcome!

[chevyman1]

I also do not recommended riding with out your hand on the bars but with cruse control it makes it easy.
That said my Voyager will run smooth without holding on to the bars most of the time.
Major bumps in the road can set it off.
But I find that if the tire is wore that the tread is wavy or cropping it will start shaking if you take even 1 hand off the bars usually around 25 - 30 mph not under power.
Make sure there is a good quality tire on the front at 38-40psi, Dunlop E3(most recommended) , Avon Venom , Michelin commander II are all good tires to use and you should get around 20,000 miles out of them.
Make sure you check everything that ekap1200 mentioned also.

[debron]

I find on my XII that when my front tire (Dunlop Elite 3) gets "old" (high miles) I start getting the wobble. My front now has over 20,000 miles on it and it is starting to wobble though the tire does not feel cupped.

By the way, this is not an uncommon characteristic with large, heavy touring bikes, it's not just the XII.

[Et1sw47]

Thank you to everyone!

Ok... This bike is a 2002 with about 17kmiles on it. It does have Dunlop E3s' and to me they look pretty new. I bought the bike from a dealer so not real sure when they were replaced. Leaned back with center stand and front wheel did not fall to either direction without a "nudge". It did fall easily to the left more than the right but I believe this is due to cabling.

The wobble is at the 30 to 45 mph range without power being applied and hands off the handle bars only.

I will check on the other things mentioned as I get time. It would be nice to compare with someone from SW Ohio though!

Thanks again fellas!

TJ

[tregal16]

Like others have said, check tire pressure. There are a few people out your way that maybe you could meet with...of course if you come east a bit I am in SW PA.