XB12 acceleration wobble

[DCbuell]

Hi everybody, new to the forum, new to the awesomeness that is Buell. I have an 04 Lightning with a handling problem.
If I accelerate hard the bike starts to wobble/headshake/wiggle etc at about 75mph. It's not ready to throw me off but it gets progressively worse as the speed goes up beyond 80
I can ride at 70, 80, 90 perfectly smoothly as long as I ease up to those speeds. If I accelerate hard up to those speeds, the bike wobbles. I've ridden other liter bikes and never felt this.
Any ideas on what could be causing it? Anyone else experience this?

The bike has 4500 miles on it. I have new tires (Pilot Road 4) with about 1000 miles on them.

[Theycallmecrash]

This is characteristic of the lightnings, short wheel base and rider position.

Just to be sure, always check for wheel bearings failures, swing arm bearing failure, steering head bearings, and engine mounting. Engine mounts at front sub frame, under air box frame to engine. Remember, the rear swing arm is solid to the engine, not the frame, if they arent secured to eachother, means tank slappers.

What you describe sounds like youre in need of a steering stabilizer. My lightning, and CR both get this kinda wobble

[d_adams]

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Foru...ering-damper-1

[go cytocis]

XBs are more wobble-prone due to their extremely short wheel base & steep rake, but your description does not sound normal either.

I'd start by ensuring your front wheel's balanced, tire's inflated, steering head is tight, & suspension is dialled in for your weight.

Our rear wheels can't be adjusted for alignment, but you can always pull out a tape measure to check if you've got chassis misalignment which might be part of the problem.

[ztied]

I agreee check wheel balance,and condition of tires

[UMDterp13]

Mine did that until tire got worn in, could be the bigger front end I put on mine also...

I had mine to 110 afterwards and it is fine, maybe suspension settings also make a difference in mine.

09 Xb9sx w Ulysses front end for comparison

[DCbuell]

Thank you very much for all the responses, it's great to talk to other Buell owners!
I have no problem putting a stabilizer on the bike and the more I read about them the more I want one...
I just don't want to neglect anything that might get worse.
The problem has me scratching my head. I was convinced it was the tires at first but the way I'm thinking - could the tire be doing it if the bike is stable at high speed just not under hard acceleration?

I adjusted the suspension to spec for my weight. Waiting to see if that makes a difference...standby...

[captain chaos]

This is characteristic of the lightnings, short wheel base and rider position.
.........
What you describe sounds like youre in need of a steering stabilizer. My lightning, and CR both get this kinda wobble

Ummmm, wrong. Putting on a stabilizer would just be masking another problem.

Buells are REALLY sensitive to suspension adjustment. Assuming all else is good (tire balance, bearings etc.) getting the suspension dialed in should completely solve the problem.
The last Lightning I owned had the exact problem you described, it got VERY unstable past 70 when on the throttle. Fortunately, I was familiar enough with the bikes to know the cause. After getting the suspension setup (the factory recommendations are just good STARTING points, btw) the bike was rock solid stable to any speed it was capable of running. I literally could not find a way to upset the front.
Good luck and be careful until you get it sorted. Tank slappers are NO FUN!

[DCbuell]

I put the book recommended settings in for my weight but haven't gotten to try it yet today (combo of holiday activities and rain)
I'm hopeful that it makes a difference but the jury is still out for now...

Captain Chaos - I used to help a guy work on suspension occasionally for dirt track car racing so I have a little experience with compression, rebound, and spring rate but definitely not on a bike so what would cause this kind of bike behavior?
Just wondering what direction you went in and which of the settings had the most effect sorting this problem out on your bike in case the stock setting don't fix the problem for me?

[captain chaos]

Captain Chaos - I used to help a guy work on suspension occasionally for dirt track car racing so I have a little experience with compression, rebound, and spring rate but definitely not on a bike so what would cause this kind of bike behavior?
Just wondering what direction you went in and which of the settings had the most effect sorting this problem out on your bike in case the stock setting don't fix the problem for me?

If I remember correctly, softer made it better. I know for sure having the comp., and especially the rebound, too hard makes the front end all kinds of unsettled.
I know I normally start at the factory settings and I typically run a little less preload in the front and a little more in the rear (which actually quickens the response a bit). Compression and rebound I don't normally have to venture more than about a 1/2 turn either way to get it where I like it and I have ZERO issues with the front being unsettled not matter what ham-fisted stunt I pull. :D