[wnogood]

I recently purchased a 2006 SE ultra. At any speed over 70, the bike tends to drift constantly. Like the wheels are catching grooves in the pavement. Not unnerving, not like a death wobble, but just constantly shifting a few inches with no steering input. It seems like you are riding in a brisk crosswind, but no wind present. Is this something that all these stabilizers address? I am all too familiar with the hard cornering wobble, but was looking to cure this drifting issue first.

nogood o~`o

 

[haze324]

I just recently put on a Bagger Brace. Only reason I chose that one was because it was the cheapest one and the one that looked easiest to install....and it was.

It CURES that problem. I ride VERY aggressive...last bike was Big Dog Pitbull, rigid with a 107 S&S that hauled ass. There was NO wobble on a 250 rigid. The first time I got on the highway with my Roadglide I felt the back shake...not bad, but it was a very different ride. Every time I changed lanes and hit a reflector on the lanes it would wobble VERY bad.

So I got the brace and tested it out this weekend. I'd say 95% of the wobble is gone. I can only feel it at extreme speeds. I changed lanes at 80 and 90 mph and ZERO wobble when I'd hit reflector. At 100mph it shook a little but still less than at 75 without a brace. Bottom line is I don't plan on riding at 100 much so at 80-90mph on the high way it feels like I'm riding a different bike.

Its well worth the 289.00 if you feel that kinda wobble on the road were the bike just feels "unstable" so to speak

 

[NHFree1]

Can someone explain to me what causes the problem and how this works to solve it?

Not to sound foolish, but I'm new to the Touring bike and I'm not sure I understand what the problem is since I may not have experienced it. I may be attributing the feeling of this problem to a statement like "that's just the way this style/size bike handles."

 

[NHFree1]

Forgot to also ask...is this a model year specific problem? I have a 1996.

 

[03GLIDE_]

A back tire thats worn flat will make the problem worse.

 

[hogdvr]

I have an '06 Ultra. BB worked great for me. Easy install, least expensive, quality product, great people to deal with. What else would you like to know?

 

[bountyhunter]

BAGGER-BRACE click here Wes, you'll be highly impressed!

 

[sifularson]

TWR worked great for me.

Click here: http://www.twrbaggersplus.com/

 

[dagsportster]

I went with TWR after looking at them all. I think Tracy's has the best mechanical advantage since it positions the stabilizer the most rearward and has fewer pieces than some of the others. If you ask him, you might still able to take advantage of the group buy price. Installation was easy (except for loosening the stock head pipes -- and that's HD's fault). You can also still use a center stand with the TWR stabilizer.

 

[msocko3]

I went with TWR after looking at them all. I think Tracy's has the best mechanical advantage since it positions the stabilizer the most rearward and has fewer pieces than some of the others. If you ask him, you might still able to take advantage of the group buy price. Installation was easy (except for loosening the stock head pipes -- and that's HD's fault). You can also still use a center stand with the TWR stabilizer.

+1 on the TWR, I've installed 2 of them and nobody was complaining about the much improved handling.

 

[wnogood]

Great promotional replies, but no one has answered my question. Is my drifting problem something that a stabilizer will address? It feels like the wheels are trying to move out from under the bike. I do not want to blow 300+ dollars and still have this issue.


nogood o~`o

 

[bountyhunter]

You could have a chassis alignment or tire issue that needs addressing. Can't say I've ever felt drifting at highway speed. What I know for sure is that my bike is much more stable & responsive with a stabilizer installed.

 

[Strick28]

Great promotional replies, but no one has answered my question. Is my drifting problem something that a stabilizer will address? It feels like the wheels are trying to move out from under the bike. I do not want to blow 300+ dollars and still have this issue.


nogood o~`o

It seems the stabilizer war is trying to continue in this thread.

Before you run out and buy a stabilizer check your bike out. Air Pressure could be off, a bad or worn tire, a loose nut or bolt somewhere, stering head could need adjusting. After you have checked all there is to check and you ride aggresively at times then most likely you will experience the wobble that comes with the frame design. Will a stabilizer fix the problem if evrything else is ok then the answer is in most cases is yes. I have one and it works but I love to ride the twisties hard. They all work on the same principle so take your pick. I wont even mention which one I have because I refuse to get involved in this "pissing match" over which one is better.

 

[wnogood]

Ok, tires are new, tried everything from 30 psi up to 45. Everything is tight, no wobbles, no tank slappers or such. The only complaint I have is that at higher speeds, the bike will suddenly go 4 inches left.....just like the tires caught a groove. Then, just as enexpectedly, the tires will go 4 inches right. It is not scary or unsafe, more just irritating. It feels like you constantly have to steer the bike to hold a line.


nogood o~`o

 

[bountyhunter]

I think I'd be leanin' more towards scary/unsafe than "irritating". Can't be a pleasure to drive when it's driftin' round like that! How's it feel when you put cruise on and take your hands off the bars???

 

[wnogood]

Just spoke with the rep at Bitchin Baggers and he says that this WILL adress the issue that I have, and, also said that if for any reason I am unsatisfied with it, to send it back for a full refund. Sounds like there is a bagger brace in my future!

nogood o~`o

 

[wnogood]

How's it feel when you put cruise on and take your hands off the bars???

Now that would fall under scary and unsafe.


nogood o~`o

 

[haze324]

I felt the same thing with my 07 Roadglide. Like I said in my earlier post, I was coming off a Big Dog Pitbull Rigid 250 rear tire. On that bike I felt like I was grip'ing the road. No drifting, wobble...nothing. Just rubber on the road.

When I first hit the highway with the Roadglide and I was going thru a mild turn on the highway it kinda felt like the tires were gonna slide out from under me and on occassion with a slight breeze it felt like i was all over the place. It was a very comfortable ride - but it was annoying.

I'm not part of the stabalizer war, and from all the post - I'm sure they ALL do a great job. I put on Bagger Brace only because it was the cheapest and easiest to install. No other reason, and for me. It fixed every issue I had with the handling. So it met my needs...as i'm sure every other one would have as well. I think if you are irritated with how your ride feels any of these would work.

 

[FLHTDan]

Normally my bike feels rock solid. But I have notice on roads that have been recently resurfaced it will drift on the same paths that the "brushed" concrete has. Road snakes are really bad too. New tires do not help either.
I'm going to look into a stabilizer also.

 

[dagsportster]

I wouldn't say anyone was promoting one stabilizer over another or getting into a pissing contest. Sheesh...lighten up already. I've not heard a bad thing about any stabilizer, and I've not seen anyone badmouth any specific brand. Have we become so PC that we can't share our specific experiences without offending somebody?

There is an overwhelming volume of anecdotal evidence supporting the use of a stabilizer (any) for the 2007-2008 bikes. I don't know how far back the vibration issue goes, so I can't say definitively if it will solve the OP's woes. If one of the makers will provide a money-back guarantee, it's a no-brainer to give it a shot.