Motorcycling is a sport that is to be loved and enjoyed; it gives immense pleasure and peace of mind. So it is always safer to ride defensively and not aggressively, meaning following the traffic rules, showing courtesy and staying safe throughout the ride. It is always good to enjoy the superior power of your machine and to stay out of trouble and not getting into trouble. Under some circumstances, there are some aspects that the manufacturer is reluctant to talk about. One of them is motorcycle wobbling.So what is motorcycle wobbling?
We all know that motorcycles are not very stable. When stationary, they require a stand to hold them up, and when in motion, they must have a balance of dynamic forces to keep them upright and pointed properly. Every motorcycle has two parts, the front and the rear. Anything that moves with the handle bar is taken up by the front end, and the rest on the rear end. If the front wheel wiggles and doesn’t stop, it is called a wobble. If the rear wheel wiggles and doesn’t stop, it is called a "Weave".
In case you find that your motorcycle wobbles even at lower speeds, it is always good to stop the motorcycle and have a look at the issue. Because wobbles can lead to severe problems, from the size of an ant to the size of an elephant. During the wobbling stage, you will notice that the front wheel wiggles and the handle bar shakes vigorously. The best example for wobble can be noticed when a baby tries to start walking, he won’t be able to balance and then he falls down.
What causes wobbling?
Wobbling can be caused due to many factors, such as improper alignment of the wheel where there is a change in the castor or camber angle. A damaged bearing can also cause heavy wobbling issues. A small unnoticed issue that can cause a wobble crash can simply be low tire pressure. A powerful wobbling can shake the rider so bad that the feet can fling from the pegs and knees slap hard on the tank and hence the nick name ‘Tank Slapper’ is used for this effect. The wobbling effect of the front wheel can be 10 times more than that of what is caused in the rear wheel.What do you do when the motorcycle wobbles?
• First thing when you experience a wobble is not to panic. When we panic we tend to apply the front brakes, the pressure on the front wheel will increase and the motorcycle will crash.
• A full wheel lock wobble is very dangerous and usually results in a crash. You cannot steer the motorcycle since the motorcycle will continue in the direction it was headed when the wobble started.
• If there is room, gently apply the brakes, make sure you do not hit the brakes hard. Braking will intensify the wobble, but the motorcycle will gradually lose its speed under gentle braking
• Wobbling is speed dependant, more the speed heavier the wobble will get. Wobble at 50kmph will be lower compared to the wobble at 80kmph.
• Make sure you aren’t heading towards any object, because the crash can get really brutal.
• For God’s sake please do not attempt a stoppie if your motorcycle has wobbling issues.
• A full wheel lock wobble is very dangerous and usually results in a crash. You cannot steer the motorcycle since the motorcycle will continue in the direction it was headed when the wobble started.
• If there is room, gently apply the brakes, make sure you do not hit the brakes hard. Braking will intensify the wobble, but the motorcycle will gradually lose its speed under gentle braking
• Wobbling is speed dependant, more the speed heavier the wobble will get. Wobble at 50kmph will be lower compared to the wobble at 80kmph.
• Make sure you aren’t heading towards any object, because the crash can get really brutal.
• For God’s sake please do not attempt a stoppie if your motorcycle has wobbling issues.
How do you reduce wobbling issues?
• Keep the tires properly inflated.
• Make sure that the bearing free play is minimal.
• Have the alignments checked regularly.
• Steering Dampers seen on high line motorcycles can come into a great aid. It is an expensive gadget, but will prove its significance once installed. The dampers will eat out all the vibrations that is transferred the handle bar.
Since the motorcycle isn’t a closed environment like the four wheeler, accidents can happen easily. If you notice something fishy with your ride get it diagnosed and fixed the next moment. Ride hard and stay safe • Make sure that the bearing free play is minimal.
• Have the alignments checked regularly.
• Steering Dampers seen on high line motorcycles can come into a great aid. It is an expensive gadget, but will prove its significance once installed. The dampers will eat out all the vibrations that is transferred the handle bar.
By: Rishath Suresh