Galveston motorcycle accident attorneys know that if you’re familiar with Harley Davidson motorcycles, you might also be familiar with the “Harley wobble” or the “death wobble” as it’s sometimes called. It’s been a topic of discussion for many years among Harley enthusiasts. Harley riders seem to agree that the Harley wobble occurs when riders reach sufficient speed and especially on turns and curves.
What is the “Harley wobble” you might ask? The Harley wobble is a manifestation of the particular facets of the bike’s construction relating to the engine mounting and motion constraint. Basically, when the engine is not constrained between all three axles of motion, an elastic relationship develops between the swing arm and the frame. Engine vibration magnifies itself into the rest of the bike frame through the back end of the transmission by way of the swing arm.
The elasticity of motion shows up as a wobble at speeds as low as 70 to 75 mph and becomes particularly pronounced as speeds approach 90 mph. The extra, uncontrolled motion of the bike is called the “death wobble” for a reason. Two-wheeled vehicles already experience lower traction and stability on curves and turns than four-wheeled vehicles. Add a bit of loose gravel or a bit of loose wobble, and the wheels can slide away from the direction of steering to cause a deadly crash.
Harley Davidson has admitted that some of its bikes experience the wobble problem. But Harley is also quick to point out that bikes from other manufacturers also experience the same problem. And this is true of other manufacturers’ bikes of similar design.
But the bottom line is that if your engine vibrations translate into strong vibrations throughout the entire bike, you’re going to experience some serious problems retaining control of the vehicle. Lateral wobble at a critical point in a turn or on a curve translates into “rear steer” that can cause a violent crash.
In a recent Houston motorcycle accident that proved fatal to a Harley rider, the rider was reportedly in the process of veering around a vehicle ahead of him at a relatively high speed. While trying to pass the other vehicle, he lost control of the bike, crashed, and got ejected off the bike and off a bridge to fall to his death around 60 feet below.
The 62-year-old Harley rider can no longer tell us if the Harley wobble was to blame for his loss of vehicle control and subsequent death in Houston, TX. And news reports of the fatal motorcycle accident aren’t detailed enough to provide good indications either way. But the given parameters of the accident fit other reports of incidents involving the Harley wobble.
If you’ve suffered a bike crash or lost a loved one to a fatal bike wreck and you believe the cause might have been the Harley death wobble, consult with our dedicated Galveston motorcycle accident attorneys on your problem. We offer a free initial legal consultation to discuss the specifics of your case and answer questions you might have about your legal options and chances for a fair financial recovery for your injuries. Call us today at 877-307-9500 (toll free) or contact us electronically through our website. Our goal is a just financial recovery for your accident.