Head shake?

[ThreePutt]

On a recent trip my 2014 developed a head shake that is most prominent at 65 mph +. I can set the cruise, let go of the bars and watch the ends of the bars slightly oscillate. Death gripping the bars will stop this and stiffening up the suspension will mask it a little.

Steering head bearing need adjusting?

Thanks

 

[offcamber]

Stock tires??

Whats the air pressure??

 

[ThreePutt]

Stock tires, psi steady at 36/42, 2500 miles on the bike, shake started mid-trip. I can set the cruise, let go of the bars, then give the ends a good whack without upsetting the bike. RPM, gear (I can even be rolling in N) doesn't matter. It's not bad enough to make the bike feel unsafe. Going faster doesn't seem to make it worse. My first thought was was the front wheel was out of balance.

I'll take it to the dealer but if it sounds like something simple I'll wait till next year. I'm getting ready to have shoulder surgery and will park the bike for about 6 months.

 

[Koinz]

Stock tires, psi steady at 36/42, 2500 miles on the bike, shake started mid-trip. I can set the cruise, let go of the bars, then give the ends a good whack without upsetting the bike. RPM, gear (I can even be rolling in N) doesn't matter. It's not bad enough to make the bike feel unsafe. Going faster doesn't seem to make it worse. My first thought was was the front wheel was out of balance.

I'll take it to the dealer but if it sounds like something simple I'll wait till next year. I'm getting ready to have shoulder surgery and will park the bike for about 6 months.

Ya, it's probably the front wheel out of balance as you mention or steering head bearing adjustment. Good luck with your surgery, hope every gets fixed up right.

 

[ThreePutt]

Thanks on both counts.

 

[BravoBravo]

Sure sounds like the front wheel is out of balance. It is hard to believe it would be a steering head bearing issue with such low mileage, but I guess anything is possible.

Best wishes with your surgery!

Bruce

 

[fredz43]

It wouldn't be the first S10 that needed the steering head bearings adjusted. Some have found them loose. I would check that first.

 

[Bushyar15]

Many things can cause head shake. Tire wear, tire pressure, steering head bearings, and the front-end not having enough weight on it. Mid-trip did you add more weight to the back of the bike? Did you soften the preload on the rear shock? Is the rear shock leaking? Is your preload set correctly?

 

[Random ride]

I'd be checking for a cupped tire. I've had some tires cup very early on for no apparent reason (I'm very meticulous about tire pressures and suspension setup).
Then I'd make sure the forks were set at the same settings. While I was at it, I'd even check the spokes on the front and rear just for peace of mind.

 

[cb0802]

Some on here have noted similar issues after a tire replacement. I think it was something to do with aligning the axle.
Loosen the pinch bolts, compress the front suspension, the tighten the bolts to spec (15 ftlbs). You have to torque the inner bolt, then outer, then inner AGAIN!
It may not have anything to do with your issue, but only takes a few minutes to try.

 

[EricV]

It's actually not uncommon for the Super Tenere to have loose steering head bearings when new or low mileage. It's on the 600 mile service list to check them, (I think), and I did find mine loose at fairly low mileage.

After that, tire cupping or tread design, and what cb0802 mentions, alignment of the forks are also items that are common for head shake.

Your tire pressure sounds just fine, (same as I run), but cupping can occur over even one ride if there is a lot of down hill braking into corners.

If you don't have a factory service manual, (FSM), post up and someone can run thru the procedure to re-torque the steering head bearings, or simply go talk to the dealer and see if they will take care of it as a warranty issue. It's not a difficult task, but does require the top triple tree to be lifted off and moved aside to access the double nut on the steering stem, (top nut requires a hook spanner style wrench or the Yamaha part).

Here is a pic of the tool required to re-torque the steering head nut. Both wrenches are for the same task. The bottom one is just a home made version that I modified from a generic tool. The top is a purpose made tool for the job.

 

[ThreePutt]

It doesn't feel like a tire, but you never know. I'll try the pinch bolt thing.

I had been playing with the suspension but put everything back to book specs without much change. That's how I found out I could mask it a little by stiffening up the front. I run the back about 3/4 stiff all the time.

I said it started mid trip but the bike only had a 1000 miles on it when I left. This was the first time it had done 70+ mph for hours at a time so it may have been shaking all along and this is the first time I noticed it.