Dyna Vibration RPM range?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 152
Likes: 26
From: Swansea, Wales
I just expect Harleys to vibrate - sort of one upmanship really! I minimise vibes by finding the minimum sweet spot which is around 2800 for me. I must confess I can go from 0 to 70mph using 1st to 3rd without experiencing any real vibe hot spot. Vibrations are subjective. If you came off a 1000cc inline 4 on to virtually any Dyna, the vibes could drive you nuts - me I love them!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 302
Likes: 8
From: Huddersfield. U.K.
I have to say I haven't noticed excessive vibration when actually riding. Of course there are vibrations when idling, and there are certainly some revs that cause the mirrors to blur, but they don't seem particularly intrusive.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,925
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From: poway
The Mirror thing is a good idea.. I've even changed the handle bar bushings.. I do like the stock mirrors and handlebars tho.. The vibrations really don't bother me that much when riding but I worry about parts falling off.. 
I have an evo softail bobber has a rigid mount 113 ci SnS evo motor in it.. Now that thing vibrates.. Run it to the limiter (7000 RPM ) much and parts start to fall off.. Parts of the motorcycle look like they are possessed.
I have an evo softail bobber has a rigid mount 113 ci SnS evo motor in it.. Now that thing vibrates.. Run it to the limiter (7000 RPM ) much and parts start to fall off.. Parts of the motorcycle look like they are possessed.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 71
I have some vibration as the RPM's rise and fall through the 2000 - 2400 range. Above 2400 she begins to smooth out quickly and 2500 and up are surprisingly smooth but above 4800 RPM I'll begin to pick up vibration again.
The vibrations are not at all excessive, just noticeable as the bike is so smooth in the 2500 - 4800 range. If your vibrations are more noticeable on decel you may want to check the vehicle/engine alignment. Before I did the alignment the vibrations were much more pronounced, especially on decel. But a new front isolator, alignment, and shimming the front isolator so it could sit where the alignment wanted it to be turned this bike in to a very smooth machine...
The vibrations are not at all excessive, just noticeable as the bike is so smooth in the 2500 - 4800 range. If your vibrations are more noticeable on decel you may want to check the vehicle/engine alignment. Before I did the alignment the vibrations were much more pronounced, especially on decel. But a new front isolator, alignment, and shimming the front isolator so it could sit where the alignment wanted it to be turned this bike in to a very smooth machine...
The first LR I ever rode felt great. Rode it out in the country mostly at speeds I suspect were in its sweet spot. Next time I rode one was more city oriented and I thought the ride sucked. Whole thing shook like it was going to come apart. I rode another one in a similar situation and it had no annoying vibes in the handlebars, but the pegs liked to put my feet to sleep.
Earlier this year, I rode a 2015 Sporty Custom. Really liked how light and nimble it felt and the ergos fit me great, but the thing was like riding a buzz saw. Afterward, I test rode a 2016 Wide Glide and that thing was silk. Had much more top end power than any other Harley I can remember too. Even idling wasn't annoying on it.
Even more recently I rode a used 2014 Wide Glide that was equipped very much the way I'd like one. It was way more vibey thru the range. May have been in part a visceral reaction due to aftermarket exhausts that were quite loud and popped like crazy on decel. The suspension also felt much less refined than the 16, which I thought was weird as they seem to be the same thing. I even intentionally rode the '16 over those shoulder wake up strips and it soaked them up well enough that I could sleep right over them. I felt every road imperfection on the '14.
I'm darn near sold on a '16 WG, if it wasn't for the missing brakes. They are so bad, the bike scares me. Love that they're anti-lock, but dang, they're anti-stop too!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,840
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From: Philly Suburbs
And blue jeans.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,925
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From: poway
Even same model to same model.. One of the things that's cool about is how their personality can change.. Hopefully for the better, sometimes for the worse..
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 152
Likes: 26
From: Swansea, Wales
Interesting point about same model varying depending on the actual one you ride. Makes you wonder about ordering a new unridden bike. Maybe a test ridden low mileage used is better to ensure you get a 'good' one? Mine was 3 years old with 2k miles. It had stage one with full pipes and apes - at least I new the score before I bought it! Of course when buying used there is always the possibility it has a fault which won't emerge until later and that's why it was part-exed! I suspect a good ride compared with a bad one also comes into play here. We all know one day the bike can feel great and the next day not so good - same bike. That's why I always have 2 test rides, just to make sure! Gloves, boots, grips, seat and pegs can all affect smoothness. I ride an inline 4 as well as the Glide - the Harley is more vibey but sooooo exhilarating!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,925
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From: poway
Well other than a slight vibe from the pipes when my 2000 FXDX was new, it was very good.. Wasn't till I started modifying things that it started getting bad.. For me the biggest issue was when I added a SnS air filter, tho making it a 116 certainly didn't help..
