Author Topic: Front end weave at speed (Read 1897 times)

BiG DoM · « **on:** April 27, 2012, 08:29:51 am »

Ok so here is the symptom = at speeds over 120+ the scoot gets a weave (rather than a wobble) increasing often with speed. Controllable but undesirable. The scoot did did not do this with the old tyres - Karoos. The new tyres are Dunlop Rally Raid D908 rear and Mich T63 in front. Both are now well run in and at first I thought it was the typical T63 symptom of needing to bed in (have used them in the past on the EishPeeTwee). My suspension is properly set-up both in terms of sag and the handbook settings. NOW HERE IS THE THING - if the weave starts and I shift my weight backwad it evens out ... ie lightening the front end? Or stabalising the rear?

Now I have not tried yet but could reduce the rear dampening but am reluctant as it performs well in the rough. I have tried different tyre pressures and higher pressure in front does appear to help a little. This symptom has been the same even when loaded with a GL Cayote.

My mate Edgy says that it is the back wheel causing this and not unheard of with a D908?

Informed Inputs welcome.

sidetrack · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2012, 08:09:31 pm »

Well if the bike ran fine on the Karoo's and now weaves with the new rubber that must be it. Consider checking the balancing, rim locks may also have an influence if you have.

BiG DoM · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2012, 10:02:59 pm »

Ja was my thought as well - but whether back or front or combo not sure. I agree with balancing as well and am wanting to buy my own static balancer.

Cacus · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2012, 12:24:59 am »

Hi Dom My 2 cents worth.Have u checked spoke tension, as you have been riding a lot more offroad maybe they have come loose.My drz had a slight wander at speed on the tar up front ,I thought it was just the D606 but my spokes needed tightening(no not my "nuts")

BiG DoM · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2012, 12:29:10 am »

What u doing up so late ?

Ja checked all my spokes last weekend and there quite a few that needed tightening ... I believe this is something many miss out on checking and have always been surprised that BMW (not sure of others) never have it on their service schedule (maybe because they want you to buy a whole fooking new wheel

). Have not really tested it since but have also changed the rear tyre to a Mitas CO2 for trip to Bavs so will see what it does now ... other than stick like shit to a blanket

BMWPE · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2012, 12:05:41 pm »

Quote from: BiG DoM on May 10, 2012, 12:29:10 am

What u doing up so late ? Ja checked all my spokes last weekend and there quite a few that needed tightening ... I believe this is something many miss out on checking and have always been surprised that BMW (not sure of others) never have it on their service schedule (maybe because they want you to buy a whole fooking new wheel ). Have not really tested it since but have also changed the rear tyre to a Mitas CO2 for trip to Bavs so will see what it does now ... other than stick like shit to a blanket

and the problem was ?

BiG DoM · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2012, 02:07:29 pm »

Quote from: BMWPE on September 18, 2012, 12:05:41 pm

Quote from: BiG DoM on May 10, 2012, 12:29:10 am
What u doing up so late ? Ja checked all my spokes last weekend and there quite a few that needed tightening ... I believe this is something many miss out on checking and have always been surprised that BMW (not sure of others) never have it on their service schedule (maybe because they want you to buy a whole fooking new wheel ). Have not really tested it since but have also changed the rear tyre to a Mitas CO2 for trip to Bavs so will see what it does now ... other than stick like shit to a blanket

and the problem was ?

The Rally Raid on the rear!

edgy · « **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2012, 02:40:04 pm »

Weird, and on my SE I could travel at any speed no issue!

Operator · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2012, 02:43:40 pm »

Quote from: BiG DoM on April 27, 2012, 08:29:51 am

My mate Edgy says that it is the back wheel causing this and not unheard of with a D908?

When I bought the DRZ from Edgy, I had to jack the back suspension down to make my feet reach the
ground (just slightly

)
The bike developed the same symptoms as you described, but Andre said he never had that problem......
I played with tyre pressure...........did not work.
I experimented with different suspension settings but that also did not solve the problem.

I tried all the tricks known to mankind...........nothing worked.
The bike was still hectically weaving above 120 km/h.

Just around this time the back tyre reached the end of its life and I replaced the existing D606
with a brand new one.
Rode out of the tyre shop and never experienced any weaving ever again, until I sold the bike 20 months later.

So it had to be the rear tyre.

BiG DoM · « **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2012, 04:32:23 pm »

Quote from: edgy on September 18, 2012, 02:40:04 pm

Weird, and on my SE I could travel at any speed no issue!

Fuck China YOU are the one that put me onto this phenomena and suggested it was the tyre! You even said you had seen or experienced it first hand ?

Anyway the change to the Mitas CO2 fixed it.

Straatkat · « **Reply #10 on:** September 01, 2013, 07:55:10 pm »

My 610 did exactly the same with the original Karoos, weave over 120.
after 1200kms the back one was shot, so I replaced it with a Mitas E07 and the bike has never weaved again.
SOOO the back tyre is definitely the culprit as I still have the original karoo on the front, soon to be replaced by a T63 Michelin. That E07 is also gone, looking at the Heidenau, will see what I can get at a good price. Any rear tyres I should avoid?

BiG DoM · « **Reply #11 on:** September 01, 2013, 07:58:46 pm »

Why change from the Mitas? Try a E09.

BMWPE · « **Reply #12 on:** September 01, 2013, 08:27:44 pm »

Also had my fair share of weaving
on X challenge and Tenere
tyres are the problem
Now using the E09 on Tenere not yet 100% sorted though

BiG DoM · « **Reply #13 on:** September 01, 2013, 09:46:13 pm »

Do also check your head bearings - many never get greased or adjusted ...

XTFREAK · « **Reply #14 on:** September 02, 2013, 12:02:57 am »

Try changing tyre pressures, it really does work. Normally just by inflating another 10th of a bar in front has fixed any issues iv had

Malibu · « **Reply #15 on:** September 02, 2013, 07:57:29 am »

I had a similar experience, checked tyres, checked suspension set-up, checked spokes, checked bearings...
Eventually had a long chat with Wookie (who is an amateur suspension guru) and we dropped the front shocks through the triple clamps, right down to flush... and complete fix...

There are so many things that can change the dynamics... it's actually a science in it's own right, I think the trick is to go through each point one at a time and eliminate possible causes...

Stofdonkie · « **Reply #16 on:** September 02, 2013, 08:07:10 am »

Drop the rear a pre-load a bit. It will increase the front trail slightly.

blazes · « **Reply #17 on:** September 02, 2013, 08:32:06 am »

Hi Dom --- if it was ok before and not now -----Tires for sure --

I all my years I have found that some tire when paired just don't ---- Marry well --

You could try the same tires just other ones and they work well ---- Pain in the butt imho ---

BiG DoM · « **Reply #18 on:** September 02, 2013, 11:33:47 am »

Quote from: blazes on September 02, 2013, 08:32:06 am

Hi Dom --- if it was ok before and not now -----Tires for sure --

I all my years I have found that some tire when paired just don't ---- Marry well --

You could try the same tires just other ones and they work well ---- Pain in the butt imho ---

Exactly right and what I discovered - It did not like the Rally Raid. But I also know a weave can be other factors as well - most often tyre or pressure but can be other factors like suspension etc... as said often a matter of systematic elimination.

Straatkat · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2013, 09:27:29 pm »

While we are discussing tyres, has anyone tried the Tubliss system to alleviate tubes?