really wobbly whilst riding

[mealies]

I have had my bike 12 weeks now and whilst my general riding is getting better one thing that keeps happening is that i start to get a wobble on, usually when i am coming up to or leaving junctions. Not sure if it is me or the bike causing it (i assume me).

I have been unable to ride due to illness for the last 6 weeks and when i got back on this weekend it was like i had forgotten how to ride. i was wobbling all over the place. I've been told that i would find it easier on a bigger bike but i want to be able to ride my 125 properly before i get my full license.

i checked my tyre pressures and backs were spot on but the front was 5psi over - would this be the cause?

Andrew

[dan0h]

I found I was like that initially on CBT, but my instructor suggest that at junctions or in traffic, to just hang back from pulling off for a few seconds so that when you do start to move you can do it a little more quickly, the faster you get over 5mph, the quicker you gain your balance.

Its just practice I think - though check both your wheels for any hint of side play, as knackered bearings will send you all over the show!
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CBT: 9/5/11 (PASS) - THEORY: 15/6/11 (BOOKED) - MOD1: ?? - MOD2: ??
Commute weapon: 2008 Derbi Mulhacen 125 (3/6/11)

[c clarke]

the wheel bearings might off gone, if this wobbling keeps happening get it serviced asap
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cclarke

[stinkwheel]

Might be worth getting an experienced rider to have a wee go on your bike just to check it's all as it should be.

It's often just confidence and someone telling you there's definately nothing wrong with the bike can be enough to give you that extra bit of confidence.

Also keep your head up and look at where you're going. The clutch lever and throttle are in the same place they were last time you looked.
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[dan0h]

[mealies]

yeah i think it's just a confidence thing - and not keeping my head up enough.

I am going to be getting my bike serviced this week. I am a little suspicious as I went to renew the tax disc and the dvla are saying my bike has been untaxed since before i bought it. so am taking it to another shop just to have it checked out.

[Teflon-Mike]

RELAX...
You're over thinking what you are doing.... brain's going TOO fast... Bike's going TOO slow!

what's most likely happening, is you clunk away from a stand still.. each change of dynamic, like starting to move and balence shifting from your leg to bike, or as weight shifts as you put foot back on peg, as you tirn and steer and lean... every thing that causes a causing a 'change'.. you react to...

Brain in hyper drive over reacts... causing yet ANOTHER change.... and you are into a possitive feed-back loop of wobbling, over reacting to the wobble, causing more wobble etc etc etc.....

Relax... LET it wobble.... it WILL sort itself out.... go faster, think less.....

It will get better!
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[FirebladeRuss]

THe point about wheel bearings is a valid one.

Mine had a shot front wheel bearing, and I too had that 'wobbly' feeling until it was changed - and even though the play was barely noticeable when wobbling the wheel by hand, with new bearings it feels much nicer.
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[shereen]

Just a thought but how fast are you bringing your legs up after pulling away? I used to bring them straight up after pulling away which used to make me wobble a bit.
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[binge]

Headstock bearings can be another cause for this.

Somebody experienced will tell you. A good way to check will be to put the bike on the center stand, get somebody to push down on the rear seat to hold the front wheel off the ground.
And then check if the steering is loose, or notchy.





Ben

[The Shaggy D.A.]

When approaching a junction/lights that you're going to stop at, transfer the last of the braking from the front to the rear brake. The front forks will uncompress and stop the last second pogo, and you'll feel much smoother. Same applies in slow moving traffic, keeping some light pressure on the rear brake reduces any jerkiness in your throttle/clutch control. Hie thee to an empty car park, and see how slowly you can ride around it, it's only a matter of practice and confidence.

Also, check your steering head bearings - with the bike on the centre stand (hope it has one ) put some weight on the back so that the front wheel leaves the floor, then check that the bars move smoothly and freely left to right. They should be able to fall to the stops of their own accord. If there's any notchiness or sticking that might be the cause of your wobbling. [edit] wot Binge said as I was typing
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[mealies]

cheers for the advice - will check the bearings tonight.

I think Teflon-Mike is right in that i maybe over-thinking this and just need to chillax and just ride it.

Andrew

[blurredman]

I still have difficulty sometimes when at junctions.

The other day, I was at a tricky sharp junction and waited for a car to go past.
Then I went, I saw this old woman looking at me on the pavement opposit.

From there, I was pulling out, juddering with crap clutch control and fixated on her. Just managed to keep the bike from stalling and got away fine. Damn you woman!
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CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 51k.

[l0p0l]

Good old junctions !! I was very close to dropping my bike a few weekends ago while on my way to get it serviced.

I was travelling down a country lane and came to a particular bad junction which is nastily placed on the brow of a hill. "I was turning left".

Rushing and not watching where I was going I moved over to the left, handle bars turned, looked, car coming so I kick it into first and stopped rather quickly.

As my foot reached for the floor that wasnt there, the bike was almost right over. Stuck on this bloody hill, still in 1st and holding the clutch and bike for dear life I stayed in this position thinking of my next move. Due to the terrible camber of this hill I was not tall enough to right the bike, what felt like hours (it was a about a minute) I turned off the bike and dug my knee under the tank to stop if falling any further holding the bike on its back break.

Red faced and cars building up behind me I waited for my loving girlfriend to realise I was not getting this bike back up on my own to come to the rescue.

Lessons learned !

1. Dont go that way again ... (Joking)
2. Slow down, make sure your upright when approching junctions and in the correct gear.
3. Take a spare set of pants everywhere you go
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[pork6156]

I would have to agree with teflon mike.
It sounds like you really need to relax on the bike, I bet you are as stiff as a board, when your stiff your movements will be stiff, that will filter down through the bars making everything more jerky.

If the bike wobbles don't tense up, it will make it worse, as teflon says, let it wobble ride it out, the more you do that the more you will relax, end result no wobble.

[Teflon-Mike]

[Hyaon]

I have my suspicions why this is happening...
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Mod2 Passed 30/03/2011!
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[jrolph94]

Are you looking down/ the road close to the front of the bike. This may be the cause. Make sure you are looking ahead.

[Slacker24seve...]

[shereen]