Switchback vibration
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12,594
Likes: 9
From: Bama
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 114
Likes: 1
Rented a SB from Tucson HD....rode 813 miles....bad vibration at speeds above 60. Vibration so bad that the right saddle bag vibrated off the bike. I rented one in CT last June....not impressed with the ride at all. I like the idea and the look, especially the wheels...would love to have a set of those wheels for my Electra Glide. Anyway, the trip ended up miserable cuz of the vibration problem. The only shining moment was when the dealer ate the cost of the repairs to the saddle bag (as they should have).
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Freehold, NJ
Picked up 2012 on Sunday and I also have the excessive vibrations at 2800rpm to 3000rpms. Its definately not just a Haley vibe but a flaw as the bike shakes way too much for that ideal rpm range. My ride is all stock but ordered a slipon from Rush along with a SE a/c and download. Will mention all suggestions and service bulletins to the dealership when they install the mods. Hopefully this eliminates the EXCESSIVE vibrations. Let you know
Stage I
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
2013 Switchback still has the vibration issue
I just picked my 2013 switchback up a couple of weeks ago and it still has the vibration issue. I notice the vibration in any gear around the 2900-3000 range. What's especially disapointing was I brought this to the dealers attention before I bought the bike and they assured me this was not going to be an issue (the service guy know about the tech bulletin). My advise would be to stay away from the switchback until HD truely fixes this issue.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Central Illinois
I'm sure somewhere in this 13 page thread the fix is mentioned but it is very easy and inexpensive.
If you have the vibration and either the stock exhaust or a slip-on that uses the stock bracket there are two bolts that attach the slip-on to the exhaust bracket.
Remove the front bolt (the one with the bolt head that is on the right of the bike, not the one that points to the rear.) Run the engine up to 3,000 or so. The vibration is gone. Replace the bolt with a lynch pin, a fender washer (then through the bracket) then a nylon washer, another fender washer, and a hairpin to hold it all in place.
This will hold the muffler in place but doesn't fix it so tight to the frame that the vibration occurs. Less than $5 in parts. You spent more time reading this and going to get the parts than the mod will take.
Should the MoCo have fixed this now that the 2013s are out? Yeah, but it's easier to fix it yourself than to keep bitchin' about it.
If you have the vibration and either the stock exhaust or a slip-on that uses the stock bracket there are two bolts that attach the slip-on to the exhaust bracket.
Remove the front bolt (the one with the bolt head that is on the right of the bike, not the one that points to the rear.) Run the engine up to 3,000 or so. The vibration is gone. Replace the bolt with a lynch pin, a fender washer (then through the bracket) then a nylon washer, another fender washer, and a hairpin to hold it all in place.
This will hold the muffler in place but doesn't fix it so tight to the frame that the vibration occurs. Less than $5 in parts. You spent more time reading this and going to get the parts than the mod will take.
Should the MoCo have fixed this now that the 2013s are out? Yeah, but it's easier to fix it yourself than to keep bitchin' about it.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Miss. Gulf Coast
I agree. That's exactly what I did to my muffler bracket on my '12 fld and it no longer has any unusual vibrations. Just sweet Dyna vibes. Lovin it.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 466
Likes: 2
From: Bothell, WA
I know this subject HAS BEEN BEAT TO DEATH, BUT there have been a lot of complaints (and yes a "fix" that seems to work). The "fix" just masks the symtom. I have seen how the muffler vibrates up and down and can't believe that that doesn't put stress on another part on the bike (I do stress testing on aircraft electronics so my brain works like that). If people are happy, good for them. I am more interested in the newer V&H Duals similar to the Touring Power Duals (I have them on my Limited). As I said before the wife rides an '07 RK Custom and is looking at the Switchback. The duals look like they solve the initial vibe problem. Krash had said that he just bought them and am interested in his (firsthand) opinion.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
From: Minnesota, USA
I'll add my 2 cents.
Bought my switchback in June 2012. I had the vibration, but everyone kept telling me I was crazy. Since I am a new rider and had nothing to compare it to, I listened to "everyone", and started to sort of hate my new bike. It was a significant vibration that started at about 2600 rpm's.
Then the baffles in the stock muffler broke loose at about 500 miles. Not sure if it was the vibration that did it, or just a bad muffler. I opted to replace the stock muffler with the nightstick. The nightstick slip-on and tune solved everything for me. Still no vibration issues after 7000 miles. Don't hate it anymore.
Bought my switchback in June 2012. I had the vibration, but everyone kept telling me I was crazy. Since I am a new rider and had nothing to compare it to, I listened to "everyone", and started to sort of hate my new bike. It was a significant vibration that started at about 2600 rpm's.
Then the baffles in the stock muffler broke loose at about 500 miles. Not sure if it was the vibration that did it, or just a bad muffler. I opted to replace the stock muffler with the nightstick. The nightstick slip-on and tune solved everything for me. Still no vibration issues after 7000 miles. Don't hate it anymore.