Motorcycle handlebar vibrations
This phenomenon occurs at both the front and rear of the motorcycle, but is felt most strongly at the handlebars, usually at speeds between 90 to 130 km/h.
You feel an unpleasant vibration in your hands, a signal that should not be ignored.
In most cases your tires are not the cause. Most often, it is indeed a bad balance of the wheels that can give motorcycle handlebar vibrations. But it can also be due to a wrong centring of the tire on the rim.
Motorcycle handlebar vibrations are felt most strongly at the handlebars
What to do if motorcycle handlebar vibrations occur?
We recommend that you take your motorcycle to a professional to identify the cause of the problem and correct, if necessary, the wheel balance and/or the centring of the tire on the rim.
Motorcycle handlebar wobble
The motorcycle handlebar wobble is a sideways, continuous oscillation of the fork at low speed (<100 km/h) usually whilst slowing down.
The wobble is only felt at the handlebar level. You have the unpleasant sensation that the handlebars move sideways, from right to left.
When you accelerate and then release the throttle, there is a point (usually between 50 km/h and 100 km/h) where the mass transfer to the front end produces this wobble. The frequency of the lateral wobble can be more or less strong depending on the bike.
Motorcycle handlebar wobble is a sideways, continuous oscillation of the fork at low speed
What to do if a motorcycle handlebar wobble occurs?
Don't tense up. Hold the handlebars a little looser and, at a reduced speed, the phenomenon will disappear.
At the tire level, there are several causes that can have an impact on the wobble. In particular: a high level of wear and an incorrect pressure. Some motorcycles are more sensitive to this than others.
To put an end to this phenomenon of motorcycle handlebar wobble, we recommend that you go to a professional and describe the phenomenon as accurately as possible.
Motorcycle kickback
The motorcycle kickback is a phenomenon that is felt at the front of the vehicle. The handlebars make a right-left movement, similar to the handlebar wobble described above.
It is a sharp sideways movement at the front (the fork moves back and forth), it is intermittent and very fast, occurring particularly whilst accelerating.
But unlike the wobble, a kickback is not a recurring problem. It is generally triggered by an external source such as a bump or join in the tar.
Some motorcycles are more sensitive to this than others.
What to do if a motorcycle kickback occurs?
Kickback occurs very suddenly. If it happens, let it happen. Just decelerate and it will go away.
You may wish to consult a professional to ensure that there is not a defect in the fork that could lead to a recurrence.
Motorcycle weaving
A motorcycle weave is a wavering movement of variable extent occurring on straight lines or bends, usually starting at an average speed of around 140 km/h.
This is a phase shift between the front and rear wheel that results in this weaving. You have the feeling that the handlebars go from right to left.
In this video you will see exactly how the motorcycle weaving effect takes place:
Better stability for more safety
This phenomenon is not to be taken lightly as it can have a significant impact on your safety: the higher your speed, the more violent this phenomenon becomes and, at a certain threshold, it can throw you off the motorbike.
A motorcycle weave is a wavering movement usually starting at about 140 km/h.
Some bikes are simply more sensitive to this phenomenon, so it may happen on a new one, too.
Here are the cases in which tires can have an impact on the motorcycle weaving:
Their level of wear
Their pressure
Their structure: bias/radial
Their additional load (luggage, passenger, top case.....)
What to do if motorcycle weave occurs?
Don't speed up! Don't grip the handlebars, hold them a little looser.
Don't brake suddenly either. Decelerate and the phenomenon will reduce until it disappears.
Then take the following precautions:
Check tire pressure and adjust if necessary
Check tire wear: if the tires are too worn, change them
Check if the tires are homologated. For example, if you have fitted Bias when Radial was recommended, this may be a cause of the motorcycle weave. Always make sure that your motorbike is fitted with tires approved by the manufacturer.
You can go to a professional to rule out other possible causes of the problem
Find a professional near you
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FAQ
Read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Handlebar vibration is an unpleasant sensation in the hands felt most strongly at specific speeds. The most common cause is wheel imbalance — the tire and wheel assembly has uneven weight distribution that causes the wheel to bounce slightly with each rotation, and this transfers through the fork and bars to the rider's hands. A tire that is incorrectly centered on the rim can cause the same effect. In most cases, tires are not the sole cause — balance and centering are the primary culprits.
Wobble is a side-to-side oscillation of the front wheel — the handlebars make a rhythmic left-right movement. It typically occurs in a specific speed range and is more dramatic and unsettling than vibration. Tire-related causes include excessive wear and incorrect pressure. Other contributing factors include suspension condition, steering head bearing wear, and wheel balance. The response while riding is to loosen the grip on the bars slightly and reduce speed smoothly — gripping tighter can amplify the wobble.
A kickback is a sharp, intermittent side-to-side movement felt at the front of the motorcycle — particularly noticeable during hard acceleration. Unlike a wobble, which is a recurring oscillation, a kickback is a sudden snap of the handlebars. It's less common than wobble and is often associated with suspension unloading on acceleration. Have a professional assess the front suspension, steering components, and tire condition if kickback occurs regularly.
Weave is a wave motion between the front and rear axles at higher speeds — the bike snakes from side to side, with the handlebars moving in the opposite phase to the rear. It's distinct from wobble because it involves both ends of the motorcycle. Tires can contribute to weave through mismatched front and rear characteristics, incorrect pressure, or high wear levels. Weave is most pronounced at higher speeds and can become difficult to control above a certain threshold — decelerate smoothly if it occurs.
For wobble: hold the bars a little looser rather than gripping tighter, and smoothly reduce speed. The wobble will typically diminish as speed drops. For weave: don't accelerate, don't brake suddenly, keep the bars steady, and smoothly decelerate. In both cases: don't panic, don't make sudden inputs, and get to a safe stopping point to inspect the motorcycle. Both symptoms warrant professional assessment before the next ride.
Stop immediately if: the vibration suddenly appears where it wasn't before (indicating a new problem, possibly a tire issue or fastener working loose), the vibration is severe or growing in intensity, or the vibration is accompanied by any change in how the motorcycle handles or responds. A vibration that has been present and stable for some time — such as typical engine or road vibration on a particular model — doesn't require an immediate stop, but should still be investigated. New or worsening vibration is the key signal to act on.