How to Prevent The Death Wobbles

One main thing you didn't touch on was tire to tire alignment. Hence why the notches are on the back wheel. If you move your back wheel for any reason make sure it is aligned correctly. This is a major cause of speed wobble.

Had that death wobble happen when I hit multiple potholes merging onto the highway in south east Michigan(Luna Pier). Guessing it was a 3 part combination of death grip and front tire bouncing slightly off to the side after bouncing out of the holes AND accelerating. I did end up putting my weight forward on the bike, loosened my grip on the bars, asked God for some help and it helped a lot

I'm from the UK and passed my bike test in 1983. This involved the examiner being on foot and watching you ride for as long as you were visible to him. For about half the test, you weren't visible to him at all. I know tests have become tougher since but what my 42 years of riding has taught me is that all new riders should learn what all main parts of a bike are - and how to make sure they're working properly. This should absolutely be part of the test and wish it had been for mine because it would have saved me from two horrific lock to lock tankslappers that, thankfully I managed to recover from. Sure, I learned over time from friends about the importance of tyre pressures, fork maintenance/operation, wheel alignment etc. But this should have been taught/learned as part of the test. If you're new to riding, teach yourself about this - it's crucial. The fact the test doesn't require it is outrageous. Make sure you don't suffer from this omission.

ANOTHER BIG MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE DEATH WOBBLES IS THE TRIPLE TREE BEARINGS. They gotta be TIGHT ENOUGH, but NOT TOO TIGHT, they can't be DAMAGED, and they need to be WELL LUBRICATED. This is one of the BIGGEST causes of death wobble, and like tires, almost EVERYBODY overlooks them as a possible cause.

I've always said respect the bike and the bike will respect you back

I dont have all the answers, but I've been riding for 52 years, am 70, still ride "enthusiastically" AND am still learning! Road surfaces, (especially long longitudinal grooves due to resurfacing, re-grading, roadworks....what ever) can "start the wobble" and your bike is only too happy to join the party! Here in East Texas, the many heavy logging trucks can influence the right lane surfaces. "Read" the road. Sure, the bike can be at fault with tire tread, bad bearings, stabilizer issues, BUT!! ....take some responsibility and DO NOT assume the road surface is in your corner. Once the wobble starts, (I just had one "start" this past week 03/26/24, at 80mph on my normally stable, heavily tuned, modified Harley AND I run Pirelli Night Dragon rubber, front an back. I consider them the greatest for my setup. I was in West Louisiana, [THE worst phuking roads in the USA] and it took me by surprise. Avoid braking, ease off on the gas and cover the rear brake without any sudden pressure and slow things down with love and passion in its lightest form! This is THE ONE AREA where the front anchor IS NOT your friend. Caress that pedal with light a light foot and live to advise others! Above all....Every Success! Ride safe my friends.

Really good review and spot on with those points. VERY glad you mentioned tire pressure right from the start. Really important.

Bro said Wawa and I got fucking hungry

Dude your the first guy iv heard apart from myself to bang on about tyre pressures! I'm lucky to have lots of older experienced guys around me and they always told me most riders bin there bikes on the roads due to poor tyre pressure and always check them before every ride ! And I always do ❤ 🤟🏻

Hey! Spunky Boyy, I like your channel, you share a lot of important info. I'm 74, started riding at 14. Bought myself a 78' GS1000 in 79' as a college graduation present to myself. Some fraternity ''Biffs & Chads'' mom & dads bought them ones too - invited me to drag race, one of their GS1000 did a tank slapper at 120mph ,bent him & bike. I put heavier fork oil in front air forks, I had a tank slapper racing. Called US Suzuki, told me , measure w/ a dipstick to assure fork oil levels were equal or air pressure in forks would not be equal. This worked, never another wobble. I hope my experience can save some bent bikes & bones.

I have another tip to prevent speed wobble. Check your front forks for leaks and if they are serviceable make sure that they are at the proper fluid level and even on both sides so that one fork isn't stronger than the other. This is what can induce speed wobble because each fork is fighting each other.

As a new rider, l seen one of your vids and loved how you break everything down by step by step. Keep on making great vids man. You helped me maneuver from 4 fingers to 2 on the shifts lever💪

Glad I came across your channel. You give great advice and always keep it interesting. Much love ❤

Life saving information, thank you. Clear explanation, great advice re correcting the wobble and the maintenance tips are spot on, great video!

bro that's the same bike you were working on, when you showed ppl what to look for in a used bike if your buying one, wow man love your channel, I want a bike soon, so your content really helps, God bless you bro fr fr.

Great advice. Just wrecked my bike recently.. Another thing I see (even in this video) is guys slam that clutch lever when hauling ass and you can see they actually move the wheel slightly ans this causes speed wobble also. “Loosen up the grip”

Had Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda. All new from dealer had loose triple clamps/ headsets. Always be aware of mechanical stuff on a motorcycle.

I need to get one on my 636. But I’m SUPER thankful my 2007 Honda Cbr 600rr has the HESD “Honda electronic steering damper”, which they all come with from factory.👌🏽

Dunlop tire company had done some fairly extensive tests on what causes speed wobbles, and while the factors are many the major culprit seems to be a flat or worn rear tire combined with a pointy front tire. To get out of a speed wobble neither accelerating nor braking nor staying at the same speed had much if any affect; the only thing that seemed to work was the rider dramatically lowering himself ie tucking in. Things like steering dampeners didn't get rid of speed wobbles but only seemed to increase the speed upon which they occurred at. Loose steering head bearings also seemed to cause speed wobbles (and every single Suzuki I've ever owned needed to have their steering head tightened and the pinch bolts adjusted).

That clip of the dude almost rear-ending the car during a speed wobble always makes me tense 😬