imported post
Well,
my '08 GL1800 wobbled from day one. More so under certain circumstances, but it wobbled enough I first tought it was because all Wings do that, don't they ???
I had the tires changed at 16,000 km as I was leaving for a 9K km trip and I did not want to have a forced "tire break" alopng the way. Dealer suggested Elite III's. OK said I, having had great pleasure with EIII on my GL1500 before.
Again, wobbled from day 1, with low speed being really twitchy. And they were hard as hel... Felt like riding on steel wheels.
Once back from my trip, had the front changed. No E III in store, had an OEM original Dunlop installed.
Wobble, shimmy, uncomfortable.
Dealer re-balanced the wheels, checked and tightened steering bearing (at my expense !!! this is 3 hours job they say as I have the GPS model).
I was pis.. off with my GoldWing, looking for a deal to buy back my old GL1500 or my previous ST1100. So much so that I did not enjoy motorcycling as I used to.
One weekend, I switched my front wheel (and tire) with a friend's. Man OHHHHHH Man, no more wobble, no shimmy. Felt wayyyyyy more stable.
Went back to my dealer, with 3000 km on front tire and 15 000 km on rear. Had both changed for Bridgestones. Had them pay extra attention to balancing and all that.
Took bike out for a spin. No, and I mean NO wobble. No shimmy. Bike is so much more comfortable now - as if now that it is free from parasitic gyroscopic forces from the front wheel the front suspension can do it's job.
I can't believe how much better my bike rides and handles now. Don't I see anyone trying to trade my GL1800, it's mine now and it handles and behaves like it should have from when I got it, brand spanking new, 30K km back.
Thanks to those who insisted that Bridgestone are the way to go. Wobble IS tire related. Change'em !
Alain