1290 Super Adventure speed wobble

[manxzulu]

Been in touch with KTM. The bike has been back to the dealer to be checked over and they cant fix it. Still wobbles over 115 mph.
Tried my mates GSA and it is rock steady at an indicated 135 mph where mine is using two lanes. Off to the IoM again in two weeks so getting pissed off now.
By the way I thing the tyres are great, work well in wet and dry weather. Can't imagine its down to the tyres, it must be the design of the bike or have I bought a Friday afternoon one?

[denty_uk]

My 1190R has weaved since new. Tried everything to rectify (except changing tyre brands) with limited results.

Had to fit a replacement front tyre a couple of days ago. Result increased weave (starts approx 115mph previously it started approx 135 mph). I also added spacers to the 1290 screen that I have fitted - this solved my buffeting issues but front end felt very twitchy/unstable about 90 mph.

I removed the screen and re-tested. Immediately the bike felt more stable above 90 mph but the weave started at 125 mph! I have been running tyres at recommended pressures (35/42 cold approx 39/49 HOT). I decided to reduce pressures to 31/34 cold (34/39 HOT), this moved the weave start point to 135mph and retained overall stability.

It may therefore be worth experimenting with screen removal and tyres pressures to see if you get any beneficial effects.

Good luck - this high speed weave thing has been driving me nuts for 2 years. I would have tried changing tyre brands but there are no 21 inch tyres of adequate rating! Should be easier on the 1290.

[manxzulu]

Thanks for the post Denty but if KTM cant sort it out I will be trading it for a GSA next year.

[Spoon979]

My 1290 wobbles with or without cases, and I removed the windshield, same thing.

My humble opinion is that the Conti's are terrible for wear. My last bike came with conti attacks as well, the wore unevenly and the front tire cracked on the tread on the highway at about 90mph (that was interesting). Less than 5000 miles on it at the time.

I just hit 6000 miles and the rear Conti Attack 2 tire on my Super Adventure has worn completely unevenly. 2/3 of the way around the tire has 2-3mm of tread depth left, and 1/3 of it is showing belts! The thing is I checked it less than 100 miles ago and it looked like it had about 1000 miles left in it.

Another Conti letting me down on the road. I personally think it is the heat treating they do to make the rubber different hardness is not exactly perfect, which causes soft parts of the tire that are supposed to be hard.

[manxzulu]

Thanks for the info regards the tyres.
I have had a response from KTM and they are waiting for a report from the dealer.
The dealer mechanic told me another owner changed the tyres and this made a big difference but KTM do not approve any other adventure bike tyres other than the Conti so I will be interested to hear what they come back with.
I am off the the IoM again next Thursday so hope they can sort it before then. I don't want my mate on his GSA going passed me up the Mountain Mile!!!!!

[kten]

Thanks for the info regards the tyres.
I have had a response from KTM and they are waiting for a report from the dealer.
The dealer mechanic told me another owner changed the tyres and this made a big difference but KTM do not approve any other adventure bike tyres other than the Conti so I will be interested to hear what they come back with.
I am off the the IoM again next Thursday so hope they can sort it before then. I don't want my mate on his GSA going passed me up the Mountain Mile!!!!!

Plenty of choices apart from the rubbish Continentals. The only good thing that continental make are the rubber soles on Adidas shoes (really they do).
http://www.ktm.com/globalassets/service ... 015_en.pdf

[manxzulu]

Well, still no word back from KTM about solving the speed wobble problem. A bit disappointed to say the least.

After talking to the lads at the dealer regards the tyres they admitted that they would not put Conti's on any of their bikes and suggested either Anakee 111 or PR4's. As they did not have any of the Anakees I went with the PR$ Trail tyres. I only tend to do the odd gravel / muddy path very rarely so went with the road option. A bit concerned as it is not recommended by KTM, but tried it anyway.

I did e-mail KTM before I put them on but they have not responded!

What a difference. Over 130 mph with top box and in comfort mode( I was so excited I forgot to change to sport) and it was fine.

Still waiting for KTM to come back to me!

[manxzulu]

Aaannndddd still waiting for KTM to bother to get back to me.
Chased them but no reply. Are they really not that bothered about there customers?

[jrc58]

Why they accuse tires and rims are not?

[jrc58]

What would be the perfect setup for high speed highway?

-Distance between triple camp and fork bars:
-Damping:
-Rear shock preload:
-Driver seat up or down:
-Tire pressure:

[Tiswas]

Hi guys. I have just purchased a 1290 sa. This is my second one the first I bought in 2015. Lucky me this is my second bike to my superduke (when it arrives).
Regarding the speed wobble , I went for a spirited ride on Saturday and thought I'll give it a hand full of throttle. What I experienced was not so much a wobble but a full on tank slapper over 100 mph. Thinking it would pass I kept it going until at about 130 I thought it was going to throw me off !
Has anyone had it that bad and if so has the change in tyres redolved the issue.
Screen up high and top box on.
Thanks

[djauofd]

I had problem with my Conti trail attack 2's. Mine wobled severely decrlerating at 45. Dealer just exchanged tires an I put on Michelin Anakee 3's. It didapeared. I did take off the stock OEM steering dampner and changed the oil from the stock 15 wt fork oil to 85 wt gear oil. It is rock solid now.

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[Random00]

changed the oil from the stock 15 wt fork oil to 85 wt gear oil. It is rock solid now.

85W Gear oil? WTF???? I bet it's rock solid, but I doubt your fork seals will last long...

[tmark1301cc]

changed the oil from the stock 15 wt fork oil to 85 wt gear oil. It is rock solid now.

85W Gear oil? WTF???? I bet it's rock solid, but I doubt your fork seals will last long...

This is referring to the oil in the steering damper, not the shocks.

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[djauofd]

Yes my dealer races both off road scrambles on a 250 XC and AMA track with an RC8R. he says he does this to all his dampners

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[Immatureowner]

It was suggested that the white plastic after-market handguards that go over my metal lever protectors might be acting as variable airfoils and moving the bars at speed.
So I took them off .
Probably worth a try...