Things Nobody Tells You When You Decide to Ride a Motorcycle

[Mr.Puss]

No one ever told me how to deal with the "Death Wobble". If you ever experience it, let off the throttle and stiffen your arms and push back on the bars when they turn in until it subsides. Then change underwear.

Good times. There seems to be various opinions on why this happens, were you able to narrow it down? 

[lovakhan]

.... and the two that are a reality for most if you ride long enough 
1. You will get a speeding ticket
2. You will wreck your bike
 
Not necessarily in that order
 
Somebody told me that years ago, and I know it was true for me, and most, if not all, of my friends.

Not a fan of hearing this one. Ive yet to have either. *knocks on wood

[lovakhan]

No one told me:
 
1. Talking to yourself is entertaining.
 
2. You notice other drivers movements and intentions (Matrix sort of power )
 
3. Find any/ every excuse to ride. ie: im ob my way to the gym now, babe.

[i28]

... and stiffen your arms...

 
That doesn't sound right to me, Beemer. Loosening your arms (and not fighting it) is what you're supposed to do from what I've read. I'll try and find some reliable articles on the topic soon.

[Simbadc650]

choosing a helmet when u got 4 eyes would be a beotch to find!!!!!!!

[Guest ChicagoAJ]

... and stiffen your arms...

That doesn't sound right to me, Beemer. Loosening your arms (and not fighting it) is what you're supposed to do from what I've read. I'll try and find some reliable articles on the topic soon.

Exactly this. Let go of the bars completely and any wobble will sort itself out in seconds, fighting it only makes it worse. 

[Beemer]

... and stiffen your arms...

That doesn't sound right to me, Beemer. Loosening your arms (and not fighting it) is what you're supposed to do from what I've read. I'll try and find some reliable articles on the topic soon.

I just read an article before posting that. I'll see if I can find it in my search history and put it up. I'm pretty sure they said to brace your arms or something to that affect to stop the left to right motion of the handlebars from getting too big and locking up to one side.

[Beemer]

No one ever told me how to deal with the "Death Wobble". If you ever experience it, let off the throttle and stiffen your arms and push back on the bars when they turn in until it subsides. Then change underwear.

Good times. There seems to be various opinions on why this happens, were you able to narrow it down?

I just recently read an in depth article on the causes of it and low tire pressure was just one of the causes. I'll try to find it again and put up a link. 

[Beemer]

... and stiffen your arms...

That doesn't sound right to me, Beemer. Loosening your arms (and not fighting it) is what you're supposed to do from what I've read. I'll try and find some reliable articles on the topic soon.

I can't find it now, the history list is too long but I did find this so I'll just have to go with what they say. Maybe I mistook the firm grip for tensing up, IDK. Apparently I've made a mistake but thanks for pointing that out.  
http://www.mademan.com/mm/how-keep-motorcycle-doing-wheel-wobble.html

[Guest ChicagoAJ]

That doesn't sound right to me, Beemer. Loosening your arms (and not fighting it) is what you're supposed to do from what I've read. I'll try and find some reliable articles on the topic soon.

I just read an article before posting that. I'll see if I can find it in my search history and put it up. I'm pretty sure they said to brace your arms or something to that affect to stop the left to right motion of the handlebars from getting too big and locking up to one side.

Maybe they said brace your arms against the tank or something along those lines so you're able to safely let go of the bars while still having some kind of grip on the bike with your arms. 
I've read that the 07 and 09 has really bad speed wobble at higher speeds but I've never experienced it. I'm pretty lax on the bars though and usually just hold on with my knees and my feet on the pegs. 

[howworkclutch]

no one told me i'd use 100 billion dollars in telecommunications gear to troll a bunch of scooter-n00bs on a motorcycle forum.

[sorkyah]

No one ever told me how to deal with the "Death Wobble". If you ever experience it, let off the throttle and stiffen your arms and push back on the bars when they turn in until it subsides. Then change underwear.

remove ubderwear and toss at ignirant driver...
going commando is worth it

[Beemer]

I just read an article before posting that. I'll see if I can find it in my search history and put it up. I'm pretty sure they said to brace your arms or something to that affect to stop the left to right motion of the handlebars from getting too big and locking up to one side.

Maybe they said brace your arms against the tank or something along those lines so you're able to safely let go of the bars while still having some kind of grip on the bike with your arms. 
I've read that the 07 and 09 has really bad speed wobble at higher speeds but I've never experienced it. I'm pretty lax on the bars though and usually just hold on with my knees and my feet on the pegs. 

It was probably something like this if I recall. "3. What you can do. When you feel your handlebars start to shake, 'grab them tightly' to hold on but do not fight the motion." 
Grab them tightly is probably what I construed as stiffen arms.

[lovakhan]

Maybe they said brace your arms against the tank or something along those lines so you're able to safely let go of the bars while still having some kind of grip on the bike with your arms. 
I've read that the 07 and 09 has really bad speed wobble at higher speeds but I've never experienced it. I'm pretty lax on the bars though and usually just hold on with my knees and my feet on the pegs. 

It was probably something like this if I recall. "3. What you can do. When you feel your handlebars start to shake, 'grab them tightly' to hold on but do not fight the motion." 
Grab them tightly is probably what I construed as stiffen arms.

Well ive been reading 'twist of the wrist'. They really preach being relaxed because the bike will naturally correct itself in most situations. Ive gone 108mph. w mine, no speed wobbles and often commute in highways.

[sgtdrew]

That I should check the weather, frequently.. Before and during your ride. Been caught in a few nasty storms.

[lovakhan]

No one told me how pleasing listening to exhaust notes. Ermrgr

[Guest ChicagoAJ]

It was probably something like this if I recall. "3. What you can do. When you feel your handlebars start to shake, 'grab them tightly' to hold on but do not fight the motion." 
Grab them tightly is probably what I construed as stiffen arms.

Well ive been reading 'twist of the wrist'. They really preach being relaxed because the bike will naturally correct itself in most situations. Ive gone 108mph. w mine, no speed wobbles and often commute in highways.

They have the whole Twist of the Wrist II movie on YouTube. I've watched it a few times, very informative and I do better with a visual than reading something.  
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIIK0-n_ekw

[norcal616]

If one removes the Yamaha decal on the black tank side covers...I'm usally asked is that a Ducati or what!?!
 
 

[sane]

I just read an article before posting that. I'll see if I can find it in my search history and put it up. I'm pretty sure they said to brace your arms or something to that affect to stop the left to right motion of the handlebars from getting too big and locking up to one side.

Maybe they said brace your arms against the tank or something along those lines so you're able to safely let go of the bars while still having some kind of grip on the bike with your arms. 
I've read that the 07 and 09 has really bad speed wobble at higher speeds but I've never experienced it. I'm pretty lax on the bars though and usually just hold on with my knees and my feet on the pegs. 

 I experience the wobbles when I get over 100 mph on these Iowa roads. They are bouncy and rippley in spots which leads to very exciting cornering and riding in general.  
I generally relax my arms and grip the tank like i'm in a fight with a thigh-master. 
 
 

[Guest ChicagoAJ]

Keep cough drops safely tucked away in your cheek or under a lip. I damn near almost died last night when I hit a bump while breathing in and it almost went down the wrong tube. Luckily I was able to cough it back up.