steering sbilizer for triked ultra

[tom w]

now that the ultra is a trike ,I would like to put a stabilizer on. I just don't know which one I need and what bracket to get. any idea what would work the best ?

[Papa Zook]

Its been my experience that with the proper rake and steering head torque, a stabilizer is not necessary.

[cavie]

I was just thinking this weekend. Why do Harley's have a stabilizer?? My VTX Champion doesn't have one. Does the much longer wheel base on the VTX Champion make a difference or is it that the Harley has a fairing?

[captdanwh]

I have never seen a stabilizer installed on a Harley except the sportster. I guess my question to you would be , why do you think you should need one? If the trike is set up properly you should not need one as stated in other replies to you. if you are having a wobble in the front end it is probably do to a tire or front end bushings or bearings. tell us why you feel you need one and i am sure someone will be able to tell you what your problem is as there are some really smart trikers out there.

[cavie]

they come installed on TriGlides.

[tom w]

they come installed on TriGlides.

thank you.

I have a low speed wobble about 15-20mph . not too much of a bother to me anymore but the wife is learning how to ride it and thought it may help

[cavie]

thank you.

I have a low speed wobble about 15-20mph . not too much of a bother to me anymore but the wife is learning how to ride it and thought it may help

Some have told me it's because of the short wheel base. Others said it is because if the fairing. I personally have no idea. It will definitely help. Get it for her.

[captdanwh]

I think i would look at the front tire because you say it is only happening at 15-20 mph. I would take it and have it rechecked for balance.

[Veritas44]

Tom,
The "downside" to any Steering stabilizer is that it retards the wobble by applying a force to the front end. A Steering Stabilizer is really nothing more than a Shock like what everyone has as a "closer" on their Storm Doors. The issue with that is it applies that force ALL the time not just working only at that 5 mph window. So, sure it will turn the Wobble/Head-Shake into a more tolerable Vibration but in doing so will stiffen up the Steering across the board requiring more input to Push & Pull ALL the time. Sure you probably already know that just pointing out that the Side Effect may turn out to be even more intolerable than the initial Issue for Her. Definitely will for You I would think. Nobody wants to ride a Bow-Flex
See this in Sidecar Rigs a lot. In those, a 5mph Window (usually anything 10mph or less) is more than acceptable and never advised to be offset with a Stabilizer. Only exception if it involves 55-65 mph range which is VERY VERY Rare. Since the Issue is between 15-20 and that range almost never coincides with a normally posted Speed Limit (or desired Cruising speed), may just be something to just deal with by riding below or above the Window and just experience the aggravation in the short time passing through that 5mph range.
Again, I'm sure you know this just playing Sounding-Board and putting Info out for those who may not know exactly what a "Stabilizer" is and does.
All the best with the decision

Of course it may be a Balance/Bearing type Issue and that's easy enough to check. But, a small Window of Head-Shake is somewhat common for some FLH conversions and Tri-Glides.

[msocko3]

Of course it may be a Balance/Bearing type Issue and that's easy enough to check. But, a small Window of Head-Shake is somewhat common for some FLH conversions and Tri-Glides.

Triglides with the stabilizer will head shake under the right conditions. Mine always did going over most rail road tracks, it also shook at slow speed when picking my way through road imperfections, my dads 09 will also shake under the same conditions.

I can remember the first little trip I took on my Triglide. I got onto a back road that was riddled with little bumps, since I was trying to be careful with my new toy I was only going 10 - 20 mph and sometimes slower. That turkey shook its head most of the 5 miles of that bumpy section of road, at the end it felt like I had just done a major upper body work out at a gym.

[tom w]

I have gotten use to it . when it starts , I twist the throttle and it goes away .

[TrikerJoe]

I had my 09 ultra triked with a champion kit. I had them do the raked triple tree front end at the same time. I think it is a 5 degree rake. It's as solid as a rock at any speed. No wobble what so ever. No stabilizer needed. Plus the rake makes it feels like it has power steering. I would highly recommend it. Totally worth it.

[J.R.]

A lot of the time you get the wobble when slowing down at those low speeds, all the weight is shifting forward, just pull your clutch in and it will go away, that is if your slowing down coming to a Red Light or Stop Sign. At a steady speed you should not have the wobble if the trike has a good rake to it, I would also check my air pressure in the front tire, over inflation will get you the wobbles also.

[tom w]

I had my 09 ultra triked with a champion kit. I had them do the raked triple tree front end at the same time. I think it is a 5 degree rake. It's as solid as a rock at any speed. No wobble what so ever. No stabilizer needed. Plus the rake makes it feels like it has power steering. I would highly recommend it. Totally worth it.

At the suggestion of the installer I didn't do a rake kit. Saved a thousand on a 15,000 job. Later I figured out why he said I didn't really need it. The deal was "free installation".I have been trying to get pennies saved up to buy a rake kit from zook and put it on myself but that is proving hard to do right now. I was just trying to make it better till then. Guess I will just fight it till I can do it right.

[irmagoo]

I had my 09 ultra triked with a champion kit. I had them do the raked triple tree front end at the same time. I think it is a 5 degree rake. It's as solid as a rock at any speed. No wobble what so ever. No stabilizer needed. Plus the rake makes it feels like it has power steering. I would highly recommend it. Totally worth it.

yep what he said
ok when I added side car I could get a little wobble now and again
then I added raked triple trees...no wobble in last 6 years...
magoo