Engine vibration
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 58
Likes: 4
From: Central Arkansas
I had a 2013 Ultra and traded it for a 2020 Heritage also. My experience is the same as yours. The Ultra was smoother at speed and not nearly the wind. That being said I love the Heritage and am glad I traded.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 66
Likes: 33
From: Western NC
I suppose it is all in what you're used to or comparing.
I have an 02 Wide Glide and it vibrates like there's no tomorrow. You can feel it when you ride and especially when you stop. Sometimes at a stoplight, I put it in neutral and let go because I just need a break. That said, I love that bike but only for local cruising.
I just purchased a 19 Heritage - mainly for more comfort on long trips. It vibrates somewhat but not nearly as much as the WG. I was told the higher your bars, the more any vibration grows. I would end to agree with that. I have had issues with numbing in my hands on both bikes. My wife has noticed the same on her 21 Heritage. Interestingly she did not experience it much on her 09 Sportster. So it may be a new thing for her. We could "argue" all day about the causes of that and solutions in a new thread. Bottom line, for her, she wants to follow my lead with slightly taller bars (to help with her posture) and fatter bars to help reduce the vibration. Yes, I find stock bars are more prone to vibration that beefy aftermarkets.
Bottom line, as other have mentioned, if you are not in a hurry, look for and go to the local HD Demo Days at your dealerships. That is extremely helpful if your considering a newer bike. Reducing vibration is important. But the OVERALL comfort and ride is even more important. You do not want to settle for something that solves one problem but makes you unhappy in other ways. Peace.
I have an 02 Wide Glide and it vibrates like there's no tomorrow. You can feel it when you ride and especially when you stop. Sometimes at a stoplight, I put it in neutral and let go because I just need a break. That said, I love that bike but only for local cruising.
I just purchased a 19 Heritage - mainly for more comfort on long trips. It vibrates somewhat but not nearly as much as the WG. I was told the higher your bars, the more any vibration grows. I would end to agree with that. I have had issues with numbing in my hands on both bikes. My wife has noticed the same on her 21 Heritage. Interestingly she did not experience it much on her 09 Sportster. So it may be a new thing for her. We could "argue" all day about the causes of that and solutions in a new thread. Bottom line, for her, she wants to follow my lead with slightly taller bars (to help with her posture) and fatter bars to help reduce the vibration. Yes, I find stock bars are more prone to vibration that beefy aftermarkets.
Bottom line, as other have mentioned, if you are not in a hurry, look for and go to the local HD Demo Days at your dealerships. That is extremely helpful if your considering a newer bike. Reducing vibration is important. But the OVERALL comfort and ride is even more important. You do not want to settle for something that solves one problem but makes you unhappy in other ways. Peace.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 762
Likes: 264
From: Timnath, CO.
My 18 Heritage 114 is very smooth. I can cruise 80 all day long even smoother at 90. The more r's the smoother it gets. I have had a lot of rubber mounts, traded a 15 RK for this Heritage and would never go back to a rubber mount. I love it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 731
From: Pennsylvania
This method worked on my Heritage. I put the HD fat mini apes on and there's only a buzz if you're really looking for one. I have ridden that bike from tank to tank all day and had no issues. With stock bars, I would swap hands periodically giving each a break. No need anymore, other than being lazy and enjoying the ride. OP, I've not spent much time on the touring bikes but if you need it smoother than the Heritage (with some minor mods) I think you'll spend a LOT of time looking and not find much. Best of luck in your decision!
I think wife will tackle the bars next year. She's been busy with the Willie G cosmetic parts this year. We'll see how she does on the 200 mile trek and 3 days of local riding with the stock bars.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 842
From: The High Plains, USA
Vibration? No. Buzz? Yes. The Softails are "buzzier" than the Touring bikes IME. The stock mirrors on all the Softails I've owned are useless on the highway. The Touring bikes are just smoother at high speed.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 66
Likes: 33
From: Western NC
Good point about the mirrors. Fatter bars helped with that but a small rubber bushing place between the shoulder of the mirror stem and the top of that housing completely eliminated the shakiness in the mirrors. Crystal clear at all speeds/road conditions now. Don't use a rubber compound that's too soft. It'll just squish out.
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Club Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 156
Likes: 60
From: nc
After riding both a 17 TC Heritage and a new M8 Heritage Ive decided that Im keeping my 14 Limited Thanks for all replies, They just are not that smooth. Not dont get me wrong I started riding in 1969 on shovelheads and the Heritage has them beat, but not as smooth as my 14.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 731
From: Pennsylvania
After riding both a 17 TC Heritage and a new M8 Heritage Ive decided that Im keeping my 14 Limited Thanks for all replies, They just are not that smooth. Not dont get me wrong I started riding in 1969 on shovelheads and the Heritage has them beat, but not as smooth as my 14.
Personally, while I can do 100 miles or more at a shot, but I like to make a quick stop before I reach that. Even for just 5 or 10 minutes. Stretch my legs, hydrate, look at the weather forecast etc. Then go again. I've been that way all my life with driving. I can go all day if I am able to get regular, short stops.
Carry on!
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