Harley wobble-tragedy

[latunabernie]

Hard to say without more info.
Could of been a medical reason.
A tire going down.
Poor prep from the dealer on a new bike.
They may have missed something on new bike assy.
Sorry for your loss of a friend

[gsxrken]

That’s rough, Bob. Sorry for you and his loved ones. Sounds like he lived life on his terms. God bless

[bob deluke]

Thanks for the response guys. Phil was a big man, about 6’2” 220#. He didn’t drink when riding, non smoker and in good physical shape. Don’t know if he had a heart attack, or if medical examiner will do an autopsy. I believe they’re only done if foul play is involved. He drove his 2019 BMW to the dealer near Albany, rode the Harley back home. He’s had about 3-4 Harleys, all well kept, with some moderate performance mods done. He bought bikes to restore and resell like Triumph, Norton, BSA. Man, I’m just shocked, still hard to believe he’s gone.

[sc_rufctr]

You have my condolences Bob.

---

Indian Larry had a fall whilst doing some "tricks" at a show... No helmet - Gone forever. (He was 55 years old)

Life happens

[nvr2mny]

Bob, my deepest condolences on the loss of your dear friend. Life can throw out some really tough curve balls. Tragic.

[MMARSH]

Damn man, very sorry to hear that. My condolences.

[KevinTodd]

Very sorry to hear about this unfortunate tragedy.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I'm sorry to see this Bob, my condolences for your loss and his family's. Stay well yourself!

[rusnak]

My heart goes out to you and his family for your sorrow and the long-felt loss of a good friend.

[greglepore]

Without being alarmist, I would strongly suggest to his widow that she get an attorney involved to investigate. If he was in fact on his way home from the dealership with a brand new motorcycle, I would want to make CERTAIN that mechanical failure wasn't involved. In almost all fatal accidents in jurisdictions that I'm familiar with the police usually do a thorough reconstruction and scene documentation, but I'd want to be reassured that that is the case where you are. I know you might be hesitant to suggest such things at such a difficult time, but given the circumstances I would want an assembly error or part failure to be ruled out.

[Gretch]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Absolutely agreed. Far more so than with any car or truck, even approaching aircraft levels of necessity. But, that doesn't appear to have been an issue in this particular case:



This story reminds me of a stress engineer I worked with for many, many years. He took the "golden handshake" and retired when I did, and died literally the next day. Him and his wife were kayaking in the Skagit River. In no more than about a foot of water, with no life jacket on yet, the current swept him downstream, he capsized, got pinned against some rocks and drowned. Totally helpless wife watching the whole thing. Unspeakably tragic, just like this case. He had literally crossed the finish line, and was out celebrating the best way he knew how. Fate can be so very cruel...

[javadog]

My condolences to all involved.

There are many causes of wobbles and weaves on a motorcycle. No point in going into them here but I'd recommend that this accident be investigated more thoroughly than than what the cops will do. There was something wrong with that bike, in the way it was built or prepped for delivery.

[rfuerst911sc]

Very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend . No one at this time has any facts it's just speculation . An autopsy can determine or rule out a health issue . A solid investigator familiar with motorcycle accidents can determine if an assembly error or factory defect was the cause . I wish his family the best .

[bob deluke]

Greg,
When I talked to Phil’s widow, I did suggest to her that she may want

to retain a civil defense lawyer with investigators to look into the accident. Brand new Harley from the dealership. She did manage to have the bike impounded at a secure location if it comes to that. She’s pretty savvy and once the funeral is over, she may obtain legal console. If nothing else, eliminate the possibility of a mechanical failure.

[wayne robson]

Very sorry to here that.
I just went to google put in the words,
Is there ant recalls on latest Harly Davidson for speed wobble.
And there is some really interesting things there to read,sorry im
not very good on computor, so can not paste over,----regards.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Without being alarmist, I would strongly suggest to his widow that she get an attorney involved to investigate. If he was in fact on his way home from the dealership with a brand new motorcycle, I would want to make CERTAIN that mechanical failure wasn't involved. In almost all fatal accidents in jurisdictions that I'm familiar with the police usually do a thorough reconstruction and scene documentation, but I'd want to be reassured that that is the case where you are. I know you might be hesitant to suggest such things at such a difficult time, but given the circumstances I would want an assembly error or part failure to be ruled out.

Originally Posted by bob deluke

Greg,
When I talked to Phil’s widow, I did suggest to her that she may want

to retain a civil defense lawyer with investigators to look into the accident. Brand new Harley from the dealership. She did manage to have the bike impounded at a secure location if it comes to that. She’s pretty savvy and once the funeral is over, she may obtain legal console. If nothing else, eliminate the possibility of a mechanical failure.

As a guy who was the victim of a fairly serious motorcycle wreck, I'll strongly second all of this. The only thing I will add is to implore her that she absolutely SHOULD NOT trust her insurance company to do any of this for her. They will likely offer, which may sound odd in a fatality such as this. Tell her to hire her own, independent lawyer. At times like this, believe it or not, even your own insurance company is not your friend.

She is, obviously, going through hell right now. It sounds like she is already making good decisions, which is not always the case. Her head is spinning, I'm sure, with all kinds of legal issues coming at her on top of her grieving. Time is on her side, though - she need settle nothing at the moment. It took my wife and I three years to arrive at an equitable settlement, and it was exceedingly obvious what happened in our case - no real investigation required. The dealership's insurance, possibly even HD's lawyers, may pressure her. Tell her to take her time, hire that lawyer, and be as thorough as possible. Rushing to any kind of a settlement will not bring him back. Forcing an investigation may, however, help the next guy...

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by wayne robson

Very sorry to here that.
I just went to google put in the words,
Is there ant recalls on latest Harly Davidson for speed wobble.
And there is some really interesting things there to read,sorry im
not very good on computor, so can not paste over,----regards.

Yes, unfortunately, there is no shortage of "interesting things" all over the internet regarding this "Harley speed wobble". Like I mentioned earlier, this has been around for decades. Even before this age of the internet. It's easier now, however, for any fool (just look at me...) to fill up the internet with unabashed bullschitt. So, yes - lots of "information" out there. Lots of "experts" out there.

[Baz]

I just got back from visiting my mechanic and a customer of his came by to check on his '59 Chevy delivery wagon rat rod.

This guy owns a Harley repair business.

I asked him about the wobble and he said most of the time it's due to worn bearings in the front suspension.

Sorry about your friend, Bob. A real reality check.....

[john70t]

Shortly after HS a worn out '78 Honda 750K w/Vetter fairing gave me the death wobble during a ~110mph run. There go I..

Baz good call on the front suspension. Something to be checked/changed for all old bikes.
A new model should not do that.

[Baz]

As an aside......during the discussion, my mechanic mentioned the Harley's tendency to "shake, rattle, and roll" as undesirable for him to own a Harley.

The Harley shop owner replied that the new ones (2019 and 2020) don't shake anymore. Said they are "like a Honda."