Check your headstock bearings as well. To do so, suspend the front wheel off the ground slightly. Then allow the handle bars to turn. If the bars fall to the tank, they're too lose. If you have to push them to the tank, they're too tight. You should only need the slightest touch to move them. If your controls impede the movement, then they will need to be temporarily removed to make the adjustment. Most every bike needs this done from the factory, as they rarely get this right. it especially needs done after you crash.
Heads up: Your torque spec for the fork bridge pinch bolts is incorrtect. You used 15 lb. ft. but the spec in the service manual is 21 lb.ft. The axle pinch bolts are 16 lb.ft. btw.
Hey. Just to say you MUST tighten the fork bolt pairs evenly and only then do a final torque up. Don't do one bolt up full torque and then do the other one. Suggest you loosen up the bolts again and re-tighten this way.
Wow great video. Who would have thought that bikes need CPR! It makes total sense though - tension after a crash. Then just loosen the bolts, give CPR and retighten...
I have a Rally, but I have been having a similar problem on my Africa Twin since new. A head shake right around 45mph. Bike has never been down, but I’ll bet the front end was assembled under tension at the dealer when the bike was put together. I’m going to try this loosening the front axle and lower clamp bolts and see if the CPR fixes it. Great video, Mike!
I’m noticing a similar wobble right around 70mph on my 300L - bought used with less than 200 miles, previous owner claims to have tipped it over on its kickstand, but the fact that the foot brake was twisted and scraped (on the opposite side of the bike) tells a different story, will try this out to see if it addresses the high speed wobble.
@@Mike.A.Hernandez everything was bone stock when I got it and only 113 miles.. he was still on the first tank of gas that it was filled with at the dealership.
Update.. this appears to have resolved my issue.. I previously aborted top speed attempts due to the wobble, on Todays ride I took it up to the mid/high 70’s with a bit of a head wind and blipped 89mph on the speedo with a tail wind with no wobble other than what you’d expect from road grooves and turbulent air from other cars while on a light bike. (Non-rally 300L w/abs and a 175-180lb rider)
Great video man - love the bike, it looks so sick all geared up! I'm making videos on my CRF250L and luckily it's been running like a top! Nevertheless, I am jealous of the 300L!! Subbed to see more💪💪
Have you had wheels balanced? There is also a flat spot in the front wheel that my shop has only been able to make Less Flat. Gravel dirt road is tricky on any bike if your not used to it.
@@Mike.A.Hernandez I found my front wheel hop was excessive and see that a few other folks have as well. Once I got over 35-40 it started and has ceased since getting the front only balanced. Cheers!
@@chrisgibbens6691 I have tolerated my front end for more than 5000 miles after the dealer said not to worry about it. Never been down, just ride rough dirt roads. Only took a few hundred miles to develop. I should have checked spoke tension the day I got it! Hope to have it fixed when I get the front tire replaced soon.
Hey Mike, Im a social worker and do a lot of behavior related work with teens. I also have a CRF Rally and a Fj60 Landcruiser...so I love your videos man, keep it up!
I see so many people throwing 120-100-18 heavy tires on these small motor dual sports. Thats WAY too heavy of a tire, the OEM is around 10lbs while those 120's are 13.5lbs and that saps a lot of power. Not to mention the fatter tire handles like a boat. OEM first gen WR250Fs and KLX300Rs come with a 100-100-18 for a reason, and they even make more power than the 300L. You are better off going a more aggressive tire WITH your OEM size
The stock suspension is absolute garbage on this bike. As the front forks blow through their travel the slightest bump, rock or root will deflect the front wheel and down you go.
wish I saw this video earlier.! Crashed twice like you with a versys-x. Problem fixed by taking out and putting back in the forks with 21" front wheel (was 19") So not sure what fixed it the 21" front or the reinstall of the forks. I still have a full fork rebuild with factory parts on order most likely completely unnecessary. :)
How did you cut the Rally plastics? Also, I’ve gone 80 on mine with no wobble and I’ve dropped it several times, guess I got lucky that it didn’t mess up the forks.
wow thats a wide front tyre…and those bags would make it act like a pendulum as soon as the bike takes a hit up front, making it hard to correct through you steering input…would be a challenge to ride
Check your headstock bearings as well. To do so, suspend the front wheel off the ground slightly. Then allow the handle bars to turn. If the bars fall to the tank, they're too lose. If you have to push them to the tank, they're too tight. You should only need the slightest touch to move them. If your controls impede the movement, then they will need to be temporarily removed to make the adjustment. Most every bike needs this done from the factory, as they rarely get this right. it especially needs done after you crash.
Man this excellent, thank you will do!
Noraly sent me. "Man who chases two rabbits at the same time, catches neither." -- Confucious.
Heads up: Your torque spec for the fork bridge pinch bolts is incorrtect. You used 15 lb. ft. but the spec in the service manual is 21 lb.ft. The axle pinch bolts are 16 lb.ft. btw.
Hey. Just to say you MUST tighten the fork bolt pairs evenly and only then do a final torque up. Don't do one bolt up full torque and then do the other one. Suggest you loosen up the bolts again and re-tighten this way.
good lookin out! Its apart right now for the new tires.
Yep... and I think that the last two bolts should be the two bolts down on the front axle.
Just a tip, when you torque pinch bolts tighten one, then the other and then go back and check the first...it almost always needs another snug.
Thanks!
Wow great video. Who would have thought that bikes need CPR! It makes total sense though - tension after a crash. Then just loosen the bolts, give CPR and retighten...
Thank you!
I have a Rally, but I have been having a similar problem on my Africa Twin since new. A head shake right around 45mph. Bike has never been down, but I’ll bet the front end was assembled under tension at the dealer when the bike was put together. I’m going to try this loosening the front axle and lower clamp bolts and see if the CPR fixes it. Great video, Mike!
Thank you! Let me know if it worked. I’m also thinking my suspension may have to much weight on the rear. I’m going to add more preload.
too much rear bags weight .... no rebound and compression system at oem rear shock ....this is the problem Mate 👐 (sorry for my english)
You are probably right!
unfortunately that rear spring is for 65/70 kg riders and with rear luggage, the front lightening worsens.....
I’m noticing a similar wobble right around 70mph on my 300L - bought used with less than 200 miles, previous owner claims to have tipped it over on its kickstand, but the fact that the foot brake was twisted and scraped (on the opposite side of the bike) tells a different story, will try this out to see if it addresses the high speed wobble.
Does it still have the factory tires?
@@Mike.A.Hernandez everything was bone stock when I got it and only 113 miles.. he was still on the first tank of gas that it was filled with at the dealership.
Update.. this appears to have resolved my issue.. I previously aborted top speed attempts due to the wobble, on Todays ride I took it up to the mid/high 70’s with a bit of a head wind and blipped 89mph on the speedo with a tail wind with no wobble other than what you’d expect from road grooves and turbulent air from other cars while on a light bike. (Non-rally 300L w/abs and a 175-180lb rider)
Excellent!
@@_jumpgirl thats crazy! Why wpuld he get rid of it so soo !???
Great video man - love the bike, it looks so sick all geared up! I'm making videos on my CRF250L and luckily it's been running like a top! Nevertheless, I am jealous of the 300L!! Subbed to see more💪💪
Thanks! Will do!
Usually loading, preload and tire inflation.
Have you had wheels balanced? There is also a flat spot in the front wheel that my shop has only been able to make Less Flat. Gravel dirt road is tricky on any bike if your not used to it.
I have only "eyeballed" it. I haven't taken a dial indicator to it yet. It looks ok.
@@Mike.A.Hernandez I found my front wheel hop was excessive and see that a few other folks have as well. Once I got over 35-40 it started and has ceased since getting the front only balanced. Cheers!
@@chrisgibbens6691 I have tolerated my front end for more than 5000 miles after the dealer said not to worry about it. Never been down, just ride rough dirt roads. Only took a few hundred miles to develop. I should have checked spoke tension the day I got it! Hope to have it fixed when I get the front tire replaced soon.
My wobbles have been cured with suspension upgrades.
I believe it. What did you upgrade?
@@Mike.A.Hernandez Nitron shock and Andreani carts
Nice ! Thank you bud .
Dude you make me miss having a bike.
Man, I have been having a blast.
Likely the tires
Oh, when the background music kicks in? Distracting. Otherwise great vid. Thanks
Hey Mike,
Im a social worker and do a lot of behavior related work with teens. I also have a CRF Rally and a Fj60 Landcruiser...so I love your videos man, keep it up!
Thank you!
I see so many people throwing 120-100-18 heavy tires on these small motor dual sports. Thats WAY too heavy of a tire, the OEM is around 10lbs while those 120's are 13.5lbs and that saps a lot of power. Not to mention the fatter tire handles like a boat. OEM first gen WR250Fs and KLX300Rs come with a 100-100-18 for a reason, and they even make more power than the 300L. You are better off going a more aggressive tire WITH your OEM size
The video is about fork alignment and that I messed it up. The factory rear on this bike is 12 lbs and 120/80-18. Current D606 is 13lbs and 120/90-18.
The stock suspension is absolute garbage on this bike. As the front forks blow through their travel the slightest bump, rock or root will deflect the front wheel and down you go.
wish I saw this video earlier.! Crashed twice like you with a versys-x. Problem fixed by taking out and putting back in the forks with 21" front wheel (was 19") So not sure what fixed it the 21" front or the reinstall of the forks. I still have a full fork rebuild with factory parts on order most likely completely unnecessary. :)
Oh man!
Did same thing on my rally. Think rear axle is 65 and front axle should be 51 lb ft.
Great video, thanks!
Thank you!
Speed rating of tires does not necessarily mean anything regarding the handling of the vehicle.
Good to know. Thx
WOW, well done
Thank you
How did you cut the Rally plastics? Also, I’ve gone 80 on mine with no wobble and I’ve dropped it several times, guess I got lucky that it didn’t mess up the forks.
I used a cutting wheel. I'll post a vid on it asap.
wow thats a wide front tyre…and those bags would make it act like a pendulum as soon as the bike takes a hit up front, making it hard to correct through you steering input…would be a challenge to ride
Great video. You removed the engine fairings? Looks great! Did you need to cut them?
yes sir, thank you! I cut them to run the SRC bash plate and give it a different look. Ill do a vid on it soon.
@@Mike.A.Hernandez is it necessary to cut the fairings in order to install the SRC bash plate? I'm thinking of getting one. Thanks.
@@charliem5332 SRC has 2 different bash plates, rally and non rally version. I liked the non-rally version so I had to cut the plastics.
@@Mike.A.Hernandez ah ok. Thank you.
Would love to see the mods you've done to the fairings.
Perfect, I'll make a vid on it asap.
Did you have to lower your bike at all? I’m looking into one but I’m also 5 foot 6
Careful with that watch ⌚️
Always do double clicks with torque range
I wonder if a fork brace would help prevent this in the future?
Yeah I’m probably gonna fall again tbh
Have you upgraded the shock?
No, I’m still unsure if I will do that or not.
Hi
What tires do you run??
Dunlop D606
wheel balance issues?
I have only "eyeballed" it. I haven't taken a dial indicator to it yet. It looks ok.
Mosko reckless 80? Or 40?
I'm running the 40.
I run D606 on my 250 Rally and they're fine at any speed it will do. I think you've mucked about with the front end aerodynamics too much.
Not likely, the issue was resolved after the fix.