Too much vibration?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,525
Likes: 6,406
From: Honah Lee
All a matter of taste. TC Harley's vibrate at idle.. Softail (Twin Cam Softails do not and its not because they are TC (twin cam)..they are TCb or have two counter balance spinning balance weights like most modern 4 cylinders engines. If it does not knock or bang vibration is normal. Some say more, some less but it is vibration. I had a Yamah V-Star 1100 custom, moved up to a 04 Road King , too big and it's vibration drove me crazy, mirrors were worthless..like my Softail, best of both worlds around town and that's all I need now and it's still a Harley..
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
My old 99 Softail Custom with an EVO solid mounted no vibe balancers is smooth up through 70 mph. It shakes a little when you get on it, but mirrors are always good. I still love the feel of this bike over all the others. I never did like the idea of the motor thrashing around in the frame at idle on the rubber mounts. Can't see how that could be good for anything attached to the motor and frame, although it does seem to work ok. The pipes must be rubber mounted to the frame also.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,525
Likes: 6,406
From: Honah Lee
My 2012 FB Lo has the same vibe your posting on. The mirrors are wrthless at any speed over 40 mph. I asked the dealer about it at my 1000 service, they said nothing wrong w the balncer. They suggested different mirrors, i've had there HD edge cut on since day one. No other vibe problems, just cant see **** out of mirrors while bike is moving.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
Bring it to my house I'll check it out for you. My motor smooths out around 3k or so as well. If I take one hand off the handlebars while cruising my mirror shakes. At idle the whole bike shakes.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
I get a kick out of all the posts from people who ask why their Harley shakes and is it normal. Can you imagine a dealer saying try some new mirrors and see if that helps. Too funny. Harley's are old school technology and they will always vibrate unless you have a "B" motor like my Deluxe or go with the VRod.
For performance I have a Ducati Diavel because no matter how much money you put into an "A" motor it will never keep up or out handle this bike. I have always had more than one bike for this very reason. I love my Harley and the way it rides and looks. I love the Duck for what it can do. I have no interest in pumping money into my Harley when it will never be a performance machine.
The mileage tells the story, I have three times the mileage on my slow old fashioned Harley.
For performance I have a Ducati Diavel because no matter how much money you put into an "A" motor it will never keep up or out handle this bike. I have always had more than one bike for this very reason. I love my Harley and the way it rides and looks. I love the Duck for what it can do. I have no interest in pumping money into my Harley when it will never be a performance machine.
The mileage tells the story, I have three times the mileage on my slow old fashioned Harley.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: West... It's better out here!
I wouldn't have thought anything about it at all (since it's a harley and I expect some of that) BUT after reading about motor mount issues on this forum, I wanted to get an idea of what is "normal"....
Thanks for all the replies... I think this is a "normal" bit of rumble but when I have the 1000 mile done, I'll have a guru check it out all the same....
After that, I'll be doing my own services... After all, that's why I bought a HD...
Thanks for all the replies... I think this is a "normal" bit of rumble but when I have the 1000 mile done, I'll have a guru check it out all the same....
After that, I'll be doing my own services... After all, that's why I bought a HD...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 102
From: Waukesha, WI
If you want a shaker, jump on a solid mount Sportster. Once I rode an Evo Low Rider I was amazed how smooth and (relatively) vibration free it was, however that caused me to hit the rev limiter fairly quickly. IIRC all the Twin Cam Softails have the "B" engines, due to the solid mounting.
