Front end vibration

[kf12538]

Hey, my name is Keith and I am brand new to the forum and just purchased a 2006 XB12Ss. I have owned all types of bikes over the course of 26 years and used to build choppers as well. I have a 2007 Harley night rod special in addition to the Buell.

Since riding my newly purchased bike for a few days now, I have noticed it has a slight front end or steering vibration during highway speeds. It is not a huge issue, but have never noticed it with any other bikes previously. Do you think I have a problem here like an unbalanced tire or loose triple tree hardware or is this simply a common characteristic of these bikes? Do I need a steering damper?

 

[snrusnak]

Possibly unbalanced wheel/tire, bad wheel bearing, or bad steering head bearings. How many miles?

After replacing all the bearings on my bike it is smooth even up at 100mph. My tires don't have any balancing done either...

 

[orgeopes]

Or suspension not properly tuned maybe

 

[kf12538]

It has 43,000 miles on it.

 

[osm]

check by this order:

1.wheels balancing\ tires.
2. wheel bearings front and rear.
3. swing arm bearings.
4. old\dry\wound belt.

let us know what was the problem.

 

[snrusnak]

If you have the original bearings and that mileage I'd definitely change at least the wheel bearings and also the steering head bearings if possible. I replaced all of this on mine at ~11k miles and they were in really bad shape. I noticed the bike is much smoother now.