I just bought a '96 Fatboy with 12,000 miles on it. Beautiful bike in showroom condition with lots of extra goodies. The motor is stock with the exception of a hypercharger, rejetting the carb & V&H pipes. Prior to this I had only ridden a few V twins & 1200's. By the time I made it 45 miles home, my feet and legs were going numb. It has floorboards which I plan to swap out for forwards especially if that may help dampen the vibration @ higher rpms. I was anticipating some additional vibration but I'm wondering if this is normal. I bought the bike for some long distance trips and I'm thinking I may have made a bad decision. I realize this is not a B motor or a rubber mounted king or dyna setup. Any suggestions and insight would be appreciated. thanks.

 

well i have a 92 and i get alot of vibrations and just from my exp i changed the floor boards to forward controls and have more vibrations and its harder on the feet and legs than with floor boards.I heard installing a 6 speed trans helps on highway with vibrations as it will run at a lower rpm.the motor isnt counter balanced as the new softails so not much more ya can do.maybe someone else can help ya

 

You could pull the motor and have someone balance it, spend $3-4 K, and then you might be happy, or otherwise live with it. I'm in the same boat with my 99, the last year of the evo's.
Unfortunately, I think this the nature of the beast, the last of the raw horsepower HD's. Welcome to the club!!

 

Just change the rear sprocket to a smaller one, and that will help with the cruising speed vibes. As for the rest of the vibes thats an evo, love it or hate it, I love mine and I have no plans on moveing to a TC motor. I can go on full day tours with my evo, no problem at all, the previous owner changed out the rear spocket, cheaper fix than a six speed, but a six would be sweet.

 

[QUOTE]y the time I made it 45 miles home, my feet and legs were going numb./QUOTE]

sounds like somethings not right ,I have a 99 and do not experience any vibration like described, sure theres the normal Harley " Heart beat" I'll
call it but its all good.
stupid question time,are you using stock seat?
my 02 cents

 

The first time I rode my 94 Evo. I thought the same thing. Each ride after that the vibs seemed less and less. That translates to me getting used to it more and more. Look into vibration dampening floor boards.

 

I'm curious, you said you've ridden a few v-twins and 1200's, by 1200's do you mean an xl1200 sporty. If so you should be able to recognize what a hd should feel like. the dynas I've ridden vibrate a lot less than my XL1200s. don't know if this helps

 

hi all ive had 2 flstcs a98 &99 the99 was smooth up to around 90mph yet the 98 i own now vibrates above 75 i suppose its the nature of the beast if id wanted smooth id have a tc or rubbermount ps check your engine mounts are tight yours alan (zee)

 

Try ISO forward pegs.........They help a bit

 

My 96 Heritage does not vibrate bad but my friends 97 Fatboy will send a bad vibration up your leg at certian RPMS. Its been like that for years. Thats a EVO.