ARIZONA - Motorcycle Accidents and the 'Death Wobble' or 'Speed Wobble'

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Arizona Motorcycle Accidents and the 'Death Wobble' or 'Speed Wobble'

Some motorcycles may have a design defect that causes the bike to wobble at high speeds or during turns. The 'death wobble' or 'speed wobble' may have played a role in serious injuries and even deaths of some motorcycle riders.
November 11, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Experiencing a wobble while riding a motorcycle through the Arizona can be a life-threatening event. Referred to as the 'Harley wobble,' 'death wobble,' or 'speed wobble' by those who've experienced it, the front-end wobble or sway can cause a motorcycle driver to lose control of his or her bike in an instant. The problem, which has happened with Harley Davidsons as well as other motorcycles, typically occurs at high speeds or during a turn and is attributed by some to a manufacturing defect involving how the engine is attached to the bike frame.
The speed wobble has been described as a shaking or swaying in the front end of a motorcycle that can only be stopped by slowing down. It can cause a rider to be thrown from his or her motorcycle, resulting in road rash, cuts, broken bones, head injury and sometimes death.
Particularly with Harley Davidson motorcycles, the patented design that includes mounting the engine to the frame may be to blame for the wobble. The engine and transmission are rubber mounted to the frame and swingarm in some Harley models and some believe that these mounts cannot handle the torque that the engines generate, causing the motorcycles to malfunction or wobble.
Riders of Harley's Road King, Ultra Classic, Electra Glide and FLH series motorcycles have reported problems with the wobble and some injured motorcyclists have pursued the manufacturer for compensation for injuries suffered in a wobble-related motorcycle accident. When the wobble happens during a ride, the only known solution is to let off the throttle. There are after-market kits available to fix the death wobble, but no change in the motorcycle design has been made by Harley, despite the number of motorcycle accidents and injuries that have been caused by the wobble.
Many law enforcement organizations use Harley Davidson motorcycles, but the problems with the machines caused some forces to reconsider. In 2002, Charles Paul, a Raleigh, N.C. police officer died after his Harley Electra Glide began to wobble, throwing him from his cycle. The California Highway Patrol decided not to use the motorcycles after seeing the bikes wobble in a test video.
Harley Davidson has maintained that the speed wobble is not caused by a defect in the design of the bike, but may be related to other factors, including driver skill, adherence to posted speed limits, addition of aftermarket parts or other reasons. The company noted other models of motorcycles wobble, as well.
Injuries from motorcycle accidents can be devastating and debilitating. If your life has been changed because of an injury sustained in a motorcycle accident, whether due to a negligent driver or a negligent manufacturer, do not hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can discuss your situation with you and the compensation you might recover.
Article provided by Law Offices of Gabroy Rollman & Bosse, P.C.
Visit us at www.gabroylaw.com