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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | i would be curious on the fork oil too. Wingers I know run their oil forever, yet i find a considerable degradation on the Vision. I think they are entirely two different set-ups where the Wing oil just cushions the shock with other components taking the actual beating, the Vision is dependant up the oil for the beating. I think the oil on time is to be changed every two years and if you would check your production date you'd find it to be two years old.
The fork oil is very simple to change, but read the manual over a few time before actually doing it, and a spring depressor is necessary for proper removal and replacement. I did mine in under an hour the first time I did it. the bear also is getting the caps off, but mine did come right off, but my dealer changed them the first time. The book calls for to be tight and to put them in a vise to remove. You could probably slide them down enough in the triple tree and loosen it before you take it out of the double clamp, but clamping one tight and then breaking the loose. But by all means read the manual.
but there is always the dealer...
either way, when the oil is fresh and new and properly filled (check the book) mine was tight. I'm changing out as recommended every 15,000 miles.
as far as a heavier oil, i don't know the make up of the actual action to make that call and would not want some other reaction to the gittyup to go bad because of changing oil weight. i'm not saying don't do it, i just don't know enough to say that's a good idea. i mentioned to my dealer, who also doesn't have a problem with Amsoil, that i wanted to go with a heavier oil in my forks and his response was why not use what it is engineered for?
I just don't know...
Edited by varyder 2009-08-21 5:47 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 192
Republic of Tejas | Think I'll have to agree with varyder. Every bike I've ever owned which had a fairing experienced wobbeling (buffeting) behind semi's, motorhomes, cargo trucks, or basically any high profile vehical at speeds over 50 mph. Could we just be calling this effect (wbobble / buffeting) by different names to describe the same thing?
Edited by OldGringo 2009-08-21 8:10 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| oldgringo-the answer is no. it is not buffetting. it is the result of turbulence as is buffetting. the best way to describe it is to say that the bike acts as a pendulum with the pivot point being the tires and the top of the windshiel being the free end. the back and forth, i.e. left to right movement, is quick. |
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Tourer
Posts: 466
Grand Cane, LA | The action is definitely a wobble. I've experienced buffeting before on my Meanstreak and this is definitely different. More side to side oscillation and mostly coming from the front end. Tried lowering the front end by moving the fork tubes up about 3/4" and it is 95% better. Actually able to let go of the bars coming up to a truck with hardly any movement. I figured by moving the forks up it moved the bias of the weight some more to the front putting more load on the front springs. I'm a much happier camper now. I appreciate all the info from everyone here to help with my problem. I'm am still going to check on the heavier fork oil thing. I will keep an update if anything changes. Again, thanks.
Edited by atvtinker 2009-08-21 5:10 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 28
Reston, Virginia | This post was very interesting to read. I too have been having experiences with wobble, primarily at higher speeds, with my VV, on the big slab. I increased the pressure in the shock which seemed to help a bit but it did not fix it. I only have 9500 miles on my 2008 VV so far so I havent taken the time to replace the fork oil yet. I will probably do that in the near future which also may help. I also found that the wobble lessened a bit when I sat more forward placing a bit more weight on the front. I always travel with the tour pack on and I suspect that it, in addition to the front fairing, is an addl source of the wobble problem. At or below 70, even on the big slab, I didnt have much wobble, even behind big trucks. It was only at 75 or 80 mph that the wobble was real noticeable. Therefore, after reading all the opinions and recommended fixes, I think I have an answer that will work for me.
Relax. Slow down a bit, stay off the tails of the big rigs, keep the tires properly inflated and dont oversteer. I also like what ATVTinker said about lowering the front end a bit which should put a bit more downforce on the front end. It is at least worth trying to see how it works. Will report back the results after a few miles with the mod. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 42
TUCSON, AZ | Back to the original thread. After doing some experimenting with my Vision with full tour package I've managed improve it in rough air. First the lower air wings available from Victory help when in the out position which allows the air to flow around the bike and not create turbulance around the feet and legs. A foot note: when in the out position they also provide better fuel mileage at about 4 mpg more. Another area I am concerned with (6'5" is the air flow around the windshield and over the mirrors which places buffeting at my head, shoulders and around the trunk. Wickerbills over the mirrors have greatly decreased this buffeting and increased the stability in rough air.
It seems to work for me, others can draw their own conclusions.
08 Vision Tour Premium |
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Cruiser
Posts: 177
Fredonia, WI United States | atvtinker - 2009-08-19 12:51 AM
Just came back from a 5000 mile trip from Louisiana to Oregon and back. I got into this weird wobble everytime I would get within 50 yards of a big rig up until I would get out of the "air wash" from the truck. I tried upping the rear air shock pressure which seemed to help some but never fully got out of it. Has anyone else here had this problem and did you ever get out of it and how? I 've read some of the other posts and can't find a post that sounds similar. And no it's not the riding style like some have suggested because I had 2 other riders ride my bike and they experienced the same thing. It's almost like the front end is lifting up slightly when it gets into the "dirty air".
How do I fix it? While I am behind the truck, I take my right hand, and TWIST! My problem falls behind me pretty quickly!
Edited by GeekVisionRider 2009-09-29 8:21 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | TAG47 - Do you have pics of the wickerbills on the mirrors? I'd never heard of them until your post. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 23
Fort Worth | I've experienced a little bit of this myself. It's annoying. Has anyone considered installing a steering damper? Seeley makes an excellent kit for the GL1800 that can be adjusted by the rider while you're rolling down the road. I e-mailed them to see if they are working on a kit for the Vision. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I'm planning progressive fork springs and probably some preload to see if this will settle her down some more.
I would advise AGAINST heavier oil. The cartridge acts as a pump to dampen the fork compression and control rebound rate. Adding oil of a higher weight will slow the reaction of the front suspension and actually REDUCE road contact on bumps and other hazards. In essence you'll get just the opposite outcome from what you are trying to achieve. If you want to do ANYTHING related to oil you might consider adding 5-10 cc to each. I'd start with 5 as that will make a considerable difference. Then if you still want it a little stiffer add another 2 to each up to 10cc, but NO MORE than 10 total. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 23
Fort Worth | I swapped e-mails with the folks at SuperBrace today. They are working on the fork brace for the Vision and should have it on the market this winter. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Thats great news TXV. If I still have mine in the spring it will have a SB on it, along with a few other pork improvements I've been considering. Much will depend on whether I still have the bike. I would really hate to lose my power ws, but I've lived without it in the past. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 153
Newnan, GA | "Wingers I know run their oil forever"
If 23K milies is forever.
My fork oil is shot at 20-25k miles and the bushings and seals are ready to be replaced as well.
Van |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Extreme Southern, AZ United States | I just got back from a camping trip towing a very heavily loaded trailer. The effect of a trailer on the bike is basically to lighten the front end due to wind resistance (esp the way I had it packed.) I rode about 200 miles on the interstate and there were a lot of trucks out this week. I experienced buffeting as we all do on any bike when approaching semis, but no wobble. I do know that as others have said, if you react to the buffeting by gripping the bars hard that you will induce a wobble. This can start a feedback loop that can result in a tank slapper. I relax instead and it never gets any more than an irritant.
I would be interested in the fork braces only because I have seen the movement of the forks on bad roads and I think that the fork brace would, if nothing else, give a more positive feel when riding dirt or potholed roads. |
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Wobble while behind Big trucks
