I'm most certainly in agreement with the above. Not excluding the possibility of a logical cause of the steering weave, wobble, jitters. But being as there have been more than a handful of owners mentioning this. I felt the need to express just how lethal this can be should it go unchecked. Following this incident, it feels like the stabilizer obvious choice. Would be very hard to ride a bike like this again without resolving this issue. Wouldn't wish what i went through on anyone, it was a horrendous wipe out, nothing short of a miracle i walked. The disturbing aspect was how from a seemingless mild twitch a catastrophic result occurred in rapid succession. Previous wipe out on a low side/slide. Every cent of the Ins payment went into the riding apparel that saved my bacon this time around. Nothing like experience to pave the way for clarity! This time around, I'm left with an indelible image of a stabilizer. As this is a once in a lifetime, don't practice this at home folks(and god forbid on the bloody freeway) never to repeated exercise.
I see the weave issue reported on these bikes often. I get a weave occasionally and it is definitely rear shock, at least in my case. Typical under spring under damped weave. Used to be very common on Jap bikes a long time ago ( and still isn't unknown). I used to call it "the preload Blues". Most noticeable on a long curve or a bump after a turn while not yet vertical. But this isn't a violent head shake like yours. Some guys were getting head shake after installing barkbusters but that was probably aero problem ( vortex shedding at the most sensitive part of the bike). There is an old racing addage about suspension. "If it feels like the front, check the rear"
Nope. I got a head shake or weave doing about 70-80 mph cruising straight on the freeway. Nothing big but annoying flying down the freeway. I got it on concrete and asphalt roads. After the GPR it goes straight with no head shake or weave. I can take transitions in the roadway at speed with no twitch or shimmy
The other day, as I was going into a shady corner on a very twisty road with plenty of bumps, I came close to losing the front end. It slid sideways, caught and gave two shakes before it stabilized and I continued on. Later I doubled back to see what had caused the slippage. I found that a road crew had spread sand over a patch that was nearly the same color as the road surface. Being in the shade I just didn't see it. Although I haven't had my Terra over about 75 mph --- it is more easily deflected from the straight and narrow than my Strada. I should say that I've only got about 850 miles on the Terra while I've more than 3300 on the Strada. Speaking of head shakers, a close friend was riding a new to him Moto Guzzi Vintage back to Oregon from OK City in early April. After about 150 miles into his trip while riding at 75 mph he got upset by a combination of a strong crosswind and the significant turbulence created by truck traffic. Result - a totaled bike, 8 broken ribs, broken shoulder and one thoracic vertebrae and waking up in a helicopter headed back to OK City. Amazingly he's back to near 100% after 8 weeks -- and he's over 60! How about a final review of the damage to your Terra and whether any discrepancies were found that would have contributed to the tank slapper?
nwrider 1 , glad to hear you survived the blind sand incident. It was a most similar encounter that led to the low side get off i encountered last year. Ultra fine granite like dust in the sierra foothills identical in coloration to the road surface. I'm hoping to get over to the bikes location by the weekend. Then i can try and asses the bike. Giving consideration to all the suggestions put forth here. Will report back with a review.
Hey Thumpa, Glad your OK mate. Hope you took a few days off work? There is always some shock associated with hitting the deck. Best Regards pc
Yes thanks, plenty of delayed shock unwinding here from concussion and some weird full body histamine rash. Appointment with ortho for the shoulder etc, cheers for asking!
Here's my shaky story: I went from no front end shake with stock tires to an unnerving shake at around 70 mph after changing to D606 tires. Un-even pavement would instigate the shaking or it would just show up at around 70. I found was I was running too low of tire pressure, and my front wheel was out of true. After truing the wheel, adding some pressure, and a rebalance, it's not entirely eliminated, but much better. Maybe the knobbies contribute a bit of the residual issue I still have?
My Terra when new had a little head shake issue with the stock tires, even at speeds as low as 60mph. After changing rims to Excells at Woodys and having absolutely true lacing, and running IRC TR8 up front there is no shake at any speed. Can maintain 80mph on the Interstate just fine. Stock rims were not true! My wheels are balanced too. Tire choice, balance and round rims can make a difference. D606s should be just fine as they do not give problems on my other dual sports at high speed, even up near 100 (once!). Drop the forks to the top of the clamp if you have them up. Rake counts. And get your static and rider sag adjusted correctly. The little things add up.
E I could certainly believe this as when I sit back on the back seat I'm effectively giving the bike more rake making it more stable at speed. Funny thing about the wheels though. I know mine are not true as I have beat the front back to shape with a rubber mallet. My tires and wheels are ballanced though with tkc80s. I'm guessing they are rated a little higher than the 606s at 112mph. I've had them to 110. Not the best feeling in the world at that speed, but it's there.
Thanks for that reminder Kenneth Webb, I now recall reading your post way back. I'd sure love some sturdier lace ups on the TR. Depending how the future looks for my bike post claims assessor. I could see wheels, bearings inc head, and steering damper in the resurrection, should there be one.
I know that for KLR 650's they make a fork brace that helps with high speed wobble, I wonder if the same would help on our bikes?
I've never seen an uglier backwards-tricycle. The spyder has now taken second place. Not to derail the topic or be a dick... I'm glad you're OK thumpa!
The jury's out on this one! I'm currently in limbo land, on the fence, suspended animation and so forth. You tell me, what is there realistically that could replace the Terra? There's bike a plenty out there, but for what she does, least for my money, which in itself is another issue. But were it not, i'd most likely get another one! Unfortunately for me once the bank takes it's cut i'm left with about $3.5k. Considering the payoff balance was $3.5k i couldn't ask for more. But there's nowt in the kitty and the house renovation is a constant hemorage. my only slim option would be buy the salvage title back. Progressive would release the bike salvage title and send me a check for $2.1K . Most all the work required is within reach. But i'm up to my ears with the house, business and trying to make up loss of time, from post injury. Anyhoo' i'm open to input and suggestion. don't hurt none to chew it over a bit, see what gives...... suggestions???
I'm sorry to hear about your situation Thumpa. I'm recovering from a wreck and have just the opposite situation. My bike didn't really get much of a scratch and I ended up in the ICU for a week. It was a dirt bike wreck, so different but as you know equipment damage is cheap compared to human body damage. Be happy, the answer will come to you in time.
Got pics? I'm looking to get something, maybe one of these for $1600 (new), and you could just drive and pic one up in LA area. 250cc
Well heck, sorry to hear you didn't fair so well on your get off. Hope you'll be making a full and healthy recovery. I can assure you, i feel very fortunate getting away with such minor injuries from such a violent wreck myself! just been such a fun bike to ride, makes it a little hard to let go.
what the Dickens is that? So far as the Terra goes, i had some pics then inadvertently erased them. Only interest i'd have buying the salvage title would be to fix it up. No interest or time for shipping it off or breaking the bike. My work loads backed up. Hence i don't really need another project.
