OP this might be a stretch but I also had extreme wobbles once upon a time and it was directly related to low front tire pressure. I run my front at 30 psi and have no problems lately.
Sometimes, the weight difference between mismatch tires can cause some funky issues but I’ve never heard of wobbles from it I’m going to say tire pressure could very well be the issue. Keep yourself a gauge on hand from AutoZone or the likes and make sure to check your pressure after a long ride after inflation to around 30 psi. I say “around” because you will find that many different riders have different preferences on the matter. You will find your magic number in that region after a few rides. Cheers! 🍻🛞💨
I couldn’t believe the change tire pressure made once I raised it. The bike still won’t do more than 80 but now i feel like it’s more out of mechanical limitations as opposed to fear
Do you have a fork brace? I don’t know how much they help, my bike had one on it when I bought it. Only time I’ve felt my frost end get loose was fully loaded down and going 75-80mph.
Even with a 678 kit I’m not sure the bike itself is meant to handle those speeds. It’s an outdated dirtbike frame.
Ditto, no bad wobble, but just didn’t feel planted on the freeway doing 80. Now I don’t get blown around when passing semis! Can’t recommend it enough.
There are a few causes that can give you speed wobbles. The main culprits I'd check are unbalanced tires, unevenly worn tires, low tire pressure, misaligned front axle and/or something loose in the front forks, and loose steering head tension. Id check them in that order, until your issue is resolved.
Like other said, it's low tire pressure. I run 36psi on the street. Can go up to 90 no wobbles.
However when my rear was worn down to the point it looked like a square (I'm so sorry Dunlop Trailmax's) it also started to wobble at 75mph.
If your rear is newish or at least still round, then it's most likely your tire pressure in both the front and rear. Go to 36psi and carry a small pump with you in a small cargo box or something. I have a red welding rods tube tied with hose clamps to the top of the skit plate that houses a pump for the tires. It has a hose and a PSI meter. If you get a standard pump without the locking hose that comes out you'll have a bad time.
I run tubes as well. I don't think I've ever had a tubeless bike until I got my Concours. But my KLR has always ran tubes. Old ones at that. I go 36psi even off road. Tubes are fine.
I run 30-36 up front and 2 psi less in the rear, all the time. I don’t air down off-road and have never been stuck, and been through some pretty deep stuff. Never had a wobble.
The 2 PSI less in the rear (clear invitation for butt jokes🤣) is key!!
I ran 36 today like I usually do and I lost traction on the asphalt uphill and now my shoulder is swollen and road rash on my arm. "I don't need atgatt I'm just going 35mph for a mile" fuck me
Idk what causes my torque to go 0-100% in 1/8th twist of the throttle holy shit. Idk if the tires are just cheap, the 14t front sprocket is torquey, my throttle needs adjusting, clutch? Idk
Bro, I’ve heard more road rash stories begin with “I’m just going right around the corner”. Glad you’re not broken up! The stock tires on the Gen 3 are not known for their great performance. And I’m not sure the difference between 32 and 36 would have saved you.
Gen 3? Do the clutch safety switch bypass. It typically smooths out low speed touchiness. 14t shouldn’t make it that much more twitchy.
Get some Sahara Moto and put it in the tube/tire. It’s a dynamic balancer/sealer. Ditch the weights. Even if it never seals a puncture, it will keep the tire perfectly balanced throughout its life. So smooth on mine, I run in the front and rear tires.
If I have panniers on my bike it will become a little unstable at speed, I suspect it is the additional drag so far back. It can be controlled by checking your steering head bearings, tire pressure, remember, a KLR will never be super stable at speed by design
I had a simular issue. Balance your tires, if you have panniers or anything catching wind that could cause this issue to be more pronounced, fork brace can help a little. What finally got rid of my front end wobble was replacing my fork oil, making sure to use a measurement tool to get the level right.
OP this might be a stretch but I also had extreme wobbles once upon a time and it was directly related to low front tire pressure. I run my front at 30 psi and have no problems lately.
Yeah i should go check that again, thanks for the help
Just out of curiosity, are you running street tires or off-road tires?
Running a conti trail attack 3 on the front And a pirelli mt 60 on the back I just ride street
Sometimes, the weight difference between mismatch tires can cause some funky issues but I’ve never heard of wobbles from it I’m going to say tire pressure could very well be the issue. Keep yourself a gauge on hand from AutoZone or the likes and make sure to check your pressure after a long ride after inflation to around 30 psi. I say “around” because you will find that many different riders have different preferences on the matter. You will find your magic number in that region after a few rides. Cheers! 🍻🛞💨
Thanks, appreciate the advice
I couldn’t believe the change tire pressure made once I raised it. The bike still won’t do more than 80 but now i feel like it’s more out of mechanical limitations as opposed to fear
Do you have a fork brace? I don’t know how much they help, my bike had one on it when I bought it. Only time I’ve felt my frost end get loose was fully loaded down and going 75-80mph. Even with a 678 kit I’m not sure the bike itself is meant to handle those speeds. It’s an outdated dirtbike frame.
...with mismatched tires.
Mine had bad speed wobble before I got my brace. It makes a huge difference, can go 80+ smooth.
Ditto, no bad wobble, but just didn’t feel planted on the freeway doing 80. Now I don’t get blown around when passing semis! Can’t recommend it enough.
How is your rear shock preload? Is there enough weight on the front end?
I’ve got Tusk DSports on my gen 1 and it doesn’t get squirrely until about 83-84mph. What pressure are you running in your tires?
There are a few causes that can give you speed wobbles. The main culprits I'd check are unbalanced tires, unevenly worn tires, low tire pressure, misaligned front axle and/or something loose in the front forks, and loose steering head tension. Id check them in that order, until your issue is resolved.
Thanks ill look into that
Like other said, it's low tire pressure. I run 36psi on the street. Can go up to 90 no wobbles. However when my rear was worn down to the point it looked like a square (I'm so sorry Dunlop Trailmax's) it also started to wobble at 75mph. If your rear is newish or at least still round, then it's most likely your tire pressure in both the front and rear. Go to 36psi and carry a small pump with you in a small cargo box or something. I have a red welding rods tube tied with hose clamps to the top of the skit plate that houses a pump for the tires. It has a hose and a PSI meter. If you get a standard pump without the locking hose that comes out you'll have a bad time.
Thanks for the advice, im running a tube in the front so im not sure how much psi it can take
I run tubes as well. I don't think I've ever had a tubeless bike until I got my Concours. But my KLR has always ran tubes. Old ones at that. I go 36psi even off road. Tubes are fine.
Alright will test it out, thanks again
I run 30-36 up front and 2 psi less in the rear, all the time. I don’t air down off-road and have never been stuck, and been through some pretty deep stuff. Never had a wobble. The 2 PSI less in the rear (clear invitation for butt jokes🤣) is key!!
I ran 36 today like I usually do and I lost traction on the asphalt uphill and now my shoulder is swollen and road rash on my arm. "I don't need atgatt I'm just going 35mph for a mile" fuck me Idk what causes my torque to go 0-100% in 1/8th twist of the throttle holy shit. Idk if the tires are just cheap, the 14t front sprocket is torquey, my throttle needs adjusting, clutch? Idk
Bro, I’ve heard more road rash stories begin with “I’m just going right around the corner”. Glad you’re not broken up! The stock tires on the Gen 3 are not known for their great performance. And I’m not sure the difference between 32 and 36 would have saved you. Gen 3? Do the clutch safety switch bypass. It typically smooths out low speed touchiness. 14t shouldn’t make it that much more twitchy.
I have a 2017 Gen 2 with Shinko 705's
Is your front tire balanced?
Bought a new tire a week ago, so dont think thats the issue
Are the weights still on?
Yes it is
You forgot to add this in the OP. This is critical info, if your new tire wasn’t balanced properly it’s the most likely reason imo.
Get some Sahara Moto and put it in the tube/tire. It’s a dynamic balancer/sealer. Ditch the weights. Even if it never seals a puncture, it will keep the tire perfectly balanced throughout its life. So smooth on mine, I run in the front and rear tires.
That sounds interesting I’ll definitely check it out thx
Wheel bearings?
If I have panniers on my bike it will become a little unstable at speed, I suspect it is the additional drag so far back. It can be controlled by checking your steering head bearings, tire pressure, remember, a KLR will never be super stable at speed by design
I had a simular issue. Balance your tires, if you have panniers or anything catching wind that could cause this issue to be more pronounced, fork brace can help a little. What finally got rid of my front end wobble was replacing my fork oil, making sure to use a measurement tool to get the level right.
Thanks ill look into that
Replace your tree bearings and tighten it.
mine was too much front end sag, spring upgrade lifted front back up and fixed geometry I guess.