The Harley Davidson Wobble: What Is It?

Harley Davidson has been manufacturing motorcycles for over 100 years. Their bikes, known for their distinctive design, are very popular with the general public – and police forces – for which the company supplies bikes. However, many riders are experiencing a very dangerous problem as of late. It’s referred to as “the Harley wobble” and has been linked to serious injuries and deaths.

What is the Harley wobble?

To answer that question, we asked Kevin Liebeck, a California attorney whose practice represents plaintiffs in personal injury, medical malpractice and products liability actions. He explained:

The issue is basically a problem in the manner in which the engine is mounted into the frame and is constrained within the frame from motion. The reason this presents a problem is because the swing arm, the rear suspension member of the motorcycle which is the pivot point, is mounted to the aft end of the transmission on these Harley-Davidson motorcycles. If the engine is not constrained in all three axles, you can develop an elastic relationship between the swing arm and the frame of the motorcycle. While the system isn’t novel, there are a lot of motorcycles that do have some sort of a system to isolate engine vibrations from the rest of the motorcycle. Harley’s method is patented.

Liebeck says that the problem has become known as the Harley wobble, the rear steer and even the death wobble – and for good reason as the condition can kill you.

If you have been in a motorcycle accident, click here for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights. [Sponsored link]

Why hasn’t Harley Davidson instituted a recall?

That’s what many riders and consumer groups want to know. Liebeck explained, “I believe that they haven’t because it would involve recalling tens of thousands of motorcycles. Furthermore, they deny that this situation exists at all. If they admitted that the problem exists, I would expect that they’re going to have a whole lot of people suing them for injuries that they have sustained as a result of these accidents.”

However, Liebeck says that Harley has an advantage in these types of cases. He told us:

Harley is playing with a full deck of cards in these situations, if you will, because I think that many jurors are of the mentality that motorcycles are dangerous and that riders fall off of them all the time for no reason. It’s easy to suggest that the rider was going too fast and simply lost control because they were riding beyond their abilities.

This is a situation that is much more likely to occur in a turn or at high speeds. People report it as occurring around 90, 95, or even 100 miles an hour. Well, where can you legally ride a motorcycle in the United States at 95 or 100 miles an hour? Nowhere; so these people are going to be speeding. They’re going to be on a canyon road that is real curvy or simply going too fast. I think that makes for a really fantastic defense for Harley in a lot of respects because they can point to what the conduct was and say look, this isn’t a problem with our motorcycle; this guy just overcooked it into a corner and ran out of talent. So, don’t blame us.

While that can be a defense for the company, it doesn’t mean that riders can’t be compensated for their injuries. An experienced attorney will be able to determine whether a case exists. If you’ve been injured on a Harley Davidson motorcycle, contact an motorcycle accident attorney whose practice focuses in this area of the law. Consultations are free, without obligation and are strictly confidential.

If you have been in a motorcycle accident, click here for a top rated law firm to evaluate your legal rights. [Sponsored link]

Case Studies: The Harley Davidson Wobble

Case Study 1: The Fatal Accident on a Canyon Road

John, an experienced Harley-Davidson rider, was enjoying a ride through a scenic canyon road. As he leaned into a curve, he suddenly felt the motorcycle start to wobble uncontrollably. Despite his best efforts to regain stability, the wobble intensified, causing John to lose control.

Tragically, he collided with an oncoming vehicle and succumbed to his injuries. This devastating accident raises questions about the inherent dangers of the Harley wobble and the need for manufacturer accountability.

Case Study 2: The High-Speed Incident on a Straight Road

Sarah, an avid motorcyclist, was cruising down a straight road on her Harley-Davidson motorcycle. She was traveling at a high speed, around 95 miles per hour when she encountered the dreaded Harley wobble.

The violent shaking of the motorcycle caught Sarah off guard, and despite her attempts to control the wobble, she was thrown off the bike, resulting in multiple fractures and severe road rash. Sarah’s experience highlights the potential risks of the wobble, even on seemingly safe roads.

Case Study 3: The Turn Accident and Rider’s Injuries

Mark, a Harley-Davidson enthusiast, was navigating a sharp turn on a country road. As he leaned into the curve, the Harley wobble suddenly struck, causing the rear of the motorcycle to sway uncontrollably.

Mark’s balance was compromised, and he crashed into a roadside barrier, suffering a broken leg and head trauma. This incident underscores the dangers riders face when the wobble occurs during crucial maneuvers.