2012 V Strom Steering Shimmy

[vortexman]

My best customer (wife) has a 2012 V Strom with decel steering shimmy which is consistent between 60-45 kmph. Both tires were removed and checked for balance and run out with no evident flaws. Last night the tires were changed (different brand) and wheels balanced rims checked and suspension as well as steering head bearings were checked (visual external) with no mechanical defects found.

I have found many online discussions with regard to this condition and many guesses pointing to steering head bearings but no technical information with regard to steering head bearing set up or pre load. It seems a bit silly that a brand new bike would have a steering problem with no resolution in terms of a technical service bulletin to resolve what seems to be quite a common event reported from customers who have purchased this this model of motorcycle.

 

[tomcycle]

Cant tell for sure but have you checked the entire rear suspension, a warn rear swing arm bearing could affect the front in dramatic ways.

Next will be to check that the frame and suspension is all straight and aligned, its not that uncommon that the frame is not square and that will cause all sorts of handling problems.

Here is a nice tutoral on checking your frame http://www.framestraightsystem.com/Motorcycle%20Frame%20Check.htm

Good luck, if you get it solved it would be nice to hear what the problem was

Tom

 

[Buddie]

My best customer (wife) has a 2012 V Strom with decel steering shimmy which is consistent between 60-45 kmph. Both tires were removed and checked for balance and run out with no evident flaws. Last night the tires were changed (different brand) and wheels balanced rims checked and suspension as well as steering head bearings were checked (visual external) with no mechanical defects found.

I have found many online discussions with regard to this condition and many guesses pointing to steering head bearings but no technical information with regard to steering head bearing set up or pre load. It seems a bit silly that a brand new bike would have a steering problem with no resolution in terms of a technical service bulletin to resolve what seems to be quite a common event reported from customers who have purchased this this model of motorcycle.

Just a couple more possible reasons for the decel wobble, you and I know there many variables:

Have the owners changed the bar ends to something else? Maybe bars ends off and hand guards on or something like that?

Has the fork geometry been changed? Maybe lowered at the rear?

 

[joker650]

Lift the front. grab the forks and pull back & forth. There should be no play.
I saw a YZ250's steering lock up after about 2 months of riding, the bearings were completely dry.

 

[vortexman]

Good evening.

The bike was purchased new by her from dealer so no mods and aside from a drop from a loading dock during shipping or assembly that could have bent something no visible damage. I checked tracking and alignment on my hoist and do not see anything obvious. I am of the opinion it is tire design and contact patch causing the shake.

The new tires (Shinko 705) actually amplified the decel shake. I get a bit wound up when a logical mechanical or engineering solution cannot be arrived at and I am more than a bit hot with the dealer marginalizing the condition and my concern.

My next move will be to install Michelin Anakee III tires as the contact patch and tread are far less aggressive and do not have the large block type contact patch design. I have had in the past three years five different machines with simple front end shake and usually tires and balancing solves the problem.

The last though on my mind yesterday after purchasing new tires and mounting them was an exaserbation of the existing condition. Thanks for the tip I will post when the new tires are installed and tested. I now have two sets of tires for sale if anyone is viewing. The Shinko tires have 50 km on them I will sell them mounted for $220.00 cash The factory Brigstone have 2300 km on them I am open to offers.


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[deuce]

My wife just purchased a '13 Wee and loves it (+4000 kms on it now). It is rock solid in the handling department. I was a bit skeptical about the stock Trailwings at first but they are actually a pretty good tire. I ride a lot more aggressively than her and have had no issues. One of the best bikes we have owned. She previously had a couple KTM's (950-990) so is spoiled in the suspension/handling department.

I will be replacing the Bridgestone's with Conti Trail Attacks when the time comes. Love those tires.

I would check the steering head bearings also. Too bad the dealer isn't being more proactive.

 

[Just4Fun]

I recently installed a super brace on the front of my 06 wee and was quite supprised at the difference in how planted the front end feels. I had a set of tkc80s on when I installed it and have just put on a set of K60's.

Now my thought on your problem is a little flex in the front end which is very common on these bikes and a brace may solve your problems, only down side is it's $200 if it doesn't fix your problem.

 

[04klr]

I'd slow down on the tire buying a bit, , dunno but seems to me that a new, balanced tire really shouldn't be the issue and you be really unlucky to have two different tires do the same dance.
maybe it is a suspension problem like Tom says, too much rear preload? is the wobble better/worse when you ride it, is your wife a lighter rider? try leaning forward weight wise, better/worse.
Jokers bike up on a stand trick to check bearings is a good-un, if the bike is on the ground, with hands on the bars, pinch the fr. br. solidly with a coupla fingers and gently rock the bike forward and not forward (backwards), if the bearings are way loose or if the fork bushings are kaput a slight clunk will be felt.
steering head preload to me is with the bike held upright I like the bars to "just" want to naturally fall to one side or tother, maybe even so it needs a hint of encouragement. if they just flop over like Lindsay Lohan over a toilet then the steering head preload is "too loose" (guessing, also just like Lindsay Lohan).

just my slightly more than two cents worth.