Harley let down

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Jul 16, 2019 | 08:49 PM

#11

TOE_CUTTER

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2017

Posts: 815

Likes: 292

From: Uptown Bay Area, Cali

Welcome to the world of Harleys. The bike is 7 years old. With only 5,000 miles, it may have been sitting for a long time. You are going to have to find a good independent shop (indy) in your area or do the work yourself. You need to check the motor mounts. They may be toast. The motor may not be balanced the best (build on a Monday) and that maybe contributing to the vibration. The tune of the bike may be off. You have no idea of the modifications to the bike, and either do we, so the bike may not have a compensator, and again, that may be adding to the vibration. There are so many variables here, and trying to find out what is wrong with your bike with your limited knowledge on what you have is going to make it difficult to help you. Find a good indy, and you're going to be saving yourself from a lot of grief.

Harleys are not for everyone, so if you are looking for a smooth running machine, you may not have the right bike for you.

Good luck,

Dave

Jul 16, 2019 | 09:40 PM

#12

103inches

Cruiser

Joined: Sep 2014

Posts: 151

Likes: 30

From: Central Suffolk, NY

I have a 2013 Dyna Switchback, so I would agree there's sometimes significant vibration, but my bike is no paint shaker...and it smooths out above 2500 rpm. There are numerous possible reasons for what you're experiencing. You may have to invest some serious time and money in your ride to get it right. One of the great satisfactions in owning a Harley is there are fixes for just about every issue, and when you get things right they are as good or better than any Clone Cruiser out there. Just my 2 pennies.

Jul 16, 2019 | 09:50 PM

#13

crusader1xxx

Road Master

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 1,246

Likes: 251

From: Belle River Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by rikkitony

I test rode a Street Bob and know what they should feel like, I don't want sympathy, I just want to ride a bike when you look in the mirror you can tell if it's a car or bike behind you, I know Dynas vibrate, they usually smooth out after you get going, this is excessive vibration.

But did you ride the bike you bought? Every one of them rides a bit different. All Harley’s vibrate, how bad and what level is tolerable is subjective. My Switchback is smooth as glass, my Superglide custom shakes...both are 2012’s. I actually prefer the Superglide...kind of remind’s me of my first shovelhead. But I know the front mount is bad, it’s just been replaced with a predator mount.

first thing you need to do (you have only had the bike 5 days) is go through the whole bike, change all fluids, spark plugs and probably even new tires (7 yrs and only 5k) Change them, there are probably flat spots from sitting...do the power train alignment procedure with inclinometer....then once all that’s been done, if it still feels like it’s excessive look into your mounts.

Jul 16, 2019 | 09:54 PM

#14

Qdog002

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 3,515

Likes: 886

From: Upstate New York

Is your bike stock? Handlebars, exhaust, Stage 1, Modifications? Can you post some pictures of it?

Jul 16, 2019 | 10:17 PM

#15

Crazy

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 4,540

Likes: 1,836

From: Albuquerque, NM

Not sure what Intruder you had, I rode a 1400 for years. That Intruder 1400 vibrated a lot more than either of my Dynas. Like TwiZted said, it looks like you bought someone else's problem.

Jul 16, 2019 | 11:05 PM

#16

FLYING_BURRITO_BROTHER

NOT A MODERATOR

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 27,668

Likes: 23,205

From: Paradise

I know what happened here....the ol lady is getting more excitement out of riding passenger than in the sack....

Jul 16, 2019 | 11:21 PM

#17

MRFREEZE57

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 5,448

Likes: 6,275

From: pacific northwest

what bike have you ridden before, a dyna is not going to feel like a goldwing. most twin cylinder bikes have vibration. without riding it one can not say if it is excessive or normal. my 14 low rider has some vibration but smoothes out a lot around 2800rpm.

Jul 17, 2019 | 12:02 AM

#18

bigbadpoppa

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 1,020

Likes: 130

From: Vancouver

Guy doesnt test ride it before he buys? Ouch... that hurts. Sounds like the bike has some mechanical issues.

Check the engine mounts , a known issue of pre mature familiar. it sounds like excessive vibrations. Hopefully it's nothing too serious.