'03 ST1300 High speed wobble?

wdpete737

Joined
Mar 28, 2011
Messages
7
Location
eastern oklahoma
Bike
'03 ST1300
Just got off a '01 ST1100 and bought a very nice '03 ST 1300. The old 1100 was rock solid 0mph to 150mph. The new 1300 starts a side to side wobble at around 80mph especially noticable behing big trucks etceteras. Very annoying!

Who know's the fix??
 
I'd suggest a search, click on "advanced search" and then change "all posts" to "titles only" and enter the word: wobble.

There's probably about a million "fixes". Some of us, myself included, never found a "fix", that because of the aggressive rake and trail of the bike, it was inherent in the design. your mileage may vary.
 
I have the same problem on my '05. On the Concours forum they called it the "ball bearing dance". I believe it's due to tires (specifically the PR2's, as well as a front end rake angle).... but that's just my $0.02.

On my 2002 Connie I cured it by changing to a new set of Avon tires, a different shape windshield (home made but a Rifle base). heavy duty front end springs, and change to 20 weight fork oil (front). After all that, it finally went away.

Let me know what you find out - I'd be interested to try it on mine.
 
I also have a '05, and have noticed wobble twice at 90, also running PR2's. Anything up to that and under smooth, but several times, been at a 100 mph and rock solid??? Don't know?
 
Aerodynamics, suspension settings, tires... you name it, you could have the best tires and perfect suspension but the wind is hitting you wrong ...

If it's real bad and 80 then it could be the rear suspension is too light, crank it up. Could be tires, try some different ones...

When passing trucks, try not to have a death grip on the handlebars, having a looser grip will make a big difference.
 
wdpete737 said:
Just got off a '01 ST1100 and bought a very nice '03 ST 1300. The old 1100 was rock solid 0mph to 150mph. The new 1300 starts a side to side wobble at around 80mph especially noticable behing big trucks etceteras. Very annoying!

Who know's the fix??
Click to expand...

Now there's something I'd like to see ..... an 1100 hitting 150mph ???????

Would probably help a lot if the front and rear sag was set for your weight. Search "sag adjustment" - there should be some good threads covering the process with specs for the ST.
If you don't have a top box on the bike, turn the rear shock preload up to max and back off 1/2 - 1 turn, starting there has helped to solve the problem for the ones who have a problem.
A larger top box or a lot of weight in the saddle bags has been known to cause some weave issues.
 
I agree that it could be several things causing the wobble. Rear suspension sag adjustment and worn down front tire would top my list. Also for consideration is the top box at speeds over "the speed limit". The top box may act as a sail at those speeds and "lift" ever so slightly the front wheel which may cause the front wheel to "hunt" especially if there is a lot of carry-on weight in the saddlebags, topbox, and passenger seat and the rear suspension sag hasn't been adjusted to compensate for the extra weight.

I've had my 1300 in many high speed highway situations passing trucks of all kinds. The bike does wiggle a little when passing very large trucks at 70mph but nothing that seemed unusual for the speed and the amount of wind deflection from the truck. My bike tracks perfectly with no wobbles.
 
Had the 1100 at 156mph on the speedo (but who knows the accuracy) several times with a large backpack and full saddles. (But don't tell anyone!)

I'll try the "sag" adjustment and see if it helps. It does have the Honda Top-Box, which my 1100 did not? Thanks for the input!!
 
The two separate things get mixed up all the time. The so-called Pan Weave is a side to side weave where the rear of the bike is oscillating and occurs over 110 mph or more. It may or may not ever occur on your bike and seems to be influenced by crosswinds, accessories, and loading. The dancing around or light steering "happy feet" effect in traffic or turbulent air is not the weave. All ST1300's do this as do many other bikes in dirty air. This is aerodynamic and can happen at legal freeway speeds. Lighten up on the grips and get on down the road. Most of this internet buzz would go away if hand grips were called hand rests.
 
This is a well documented phemonemon.
There have been threads in the past documenting the problem and possible solutions.

My advice is keep your rear shock pre load wound well in.
Tyre pressures can be critical, make sure they are to tire / manufacturers recommendations.
Proper suspension setup is important.

I also found that keeping the screen at a low setting while making good progress helped.

Use the search function....there are threads that will give you advice.

Best of luck
Don
 
A while back someone cured the problem by adding a steering stabilizer. I have an Ohlins unit on my KTM and I think I'm going to make a mount to install it on the ST.
 
MidLife said:
Race Tech's Gold Valve on the front put my dancing 03 on rails!
Click to expand...

I put 1.2 kg sonic springs in the front of mine. Also made it very stable in corners, over bumps etc. But it did nothing to help the front wheel "dancing" around in "dirty air"... if anything, it may have made it worse.
 
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