I've recently put new tires on the bike and ever since I've notice a vibration beginning around 50 mph. It smoothes out a little at 70 or so. I thought that maybe one of the wheels may be out of balance but if I grab the clutch within that speed range the vibration goes away leading me to think it's something else. Any help would be greatly appreciate. BTW, the bike's a 2005 1200.

 

Maybe Drive Belt?

 

Front to rear wheel alignment? Where the wheels re-balanced after the tire changes?

 

I had an indy mount the tires on the rims but didn't ask if he balanced them. Most of the guys I ride with have this indy work on their bikes so I just assumed he did balance them. If it's the wheels out of balance why would the vibration go away when I grab the clutch? That's what has me puzzled.

 

I would have the balance of the rear tire rechecked. Removing the drive force on the belt by pulling in the clutch may be just enough change for the out of balance condition to settle down.

 

Well in that case the vibrations must be coming from the engine/transmission putting some torque on the rear wheel. Pulling the clutch and free wheeling doesn't stop the drive belt from turning in the transmission but it does stop the engine from transmitting torque!

I would be checking alignment...... and I believe I would also still be checking on wheel balance!

BTW, are your wheels spokes or mags?

 

Good advice since it started about the same time as the new tires.

Also check torque on the front motor mount. When you clutch it, the engine revs down and a loose front mount bolt vibration would settle.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm thinking it's something simple since the problem was non existant prior to the tire change.

The wheels are spoke front and rear.

 

That was it. I compared the belt tension on my bike to a friend's 1200 (same year/model as mine) and noticed the belt tension on his bike to be higher than mine. Saturday I adjusted the belt, took her out for a ride and the problem is solved. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

Glad I found this thread. Same exact symptoms here. Guess I.ll be buying a belt tension gauge.