2013 Road King Vibration
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 779
Likes: 31
From: Earth
I rode a Yamaha Road Star for 8 years before I went down in June. Picked up a stock '05 Heritage Softail Classic. MUCH smoother than my Roadie and a lot quieter. Looking at an '11-'14 Street Glide and I can't wait for a little more vibration and some more noise!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 27
From: florida swamp
Well I had both my sales guy and the mechanic take it for a ride at the dealer. Sales guy said he felt a little vibration but nothing out of the ordinary, especially when compared to his Dyna. The mechanic which I feel really knows his stuff took it for a lengthy ride and said its fine. He recommended I go longer between shifting gears. He said he didn't shift into 3rd until around 45mph. I do it a little sooner than that. So I tried it on the way home and agree its better, but still think there is more to it. He recommended I keep an eye on, then when I bring it in for my 1K service, have them look at it again. IDK......I may take it to a local bike shop for a sanity check.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
My guess is that you're just not used to the unbalanced engine.
At idle, my Dyna vibrates like we're having an earthquake (although it's not stock which adds to that), but give it any throttle and it's smooth as glass & while cruising on the highway.
At idle, my Dyna vibrates like we're having an earthquake (although it's not stock which adds to that), but give it any throttle and it's smooth as glass & while cruising on the highway.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 408
Likes: 3
From: Minneapolis, MN
For what it's worth, when the GF and I got all packed up for Sturgis it had about 50 more pounds on her than I had ever done before. I looked at the owners manual and added the recommended air to the rear (about 45 lbs if I recollect). Got 30 minutes into the trip and noticed a considerable vibration that I hadn't felt before. Stopped and took the rear air down about 5 lbs and everything was smooth. Point is the ride seems to be somewhat sensitive to rear air pressure. Maybe take a look and adjust to see if anything changes.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,086
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
For what it's worth, when the GF and I got all packed up for Sturgis it had about 50 more pounds on her than I had ever done before. I looked at the owners manual and added the recommended air to the rear (about 45 lbs if I recollect). Got 30 minutes into the trip and noticed a considerable vibration that I hadn't felt before. Stopped and took the rear air down about 5 lbs and everything was smooth. Point is the ride seems to be somewhat sensitive to rear air pressure. Maybe take a look and adjust to see if anything changes.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 538
Likes: 18
From: Lexington, Ky
You sure about that? My 2013 is 40/36, same info I got from the dealer. I haven't seen any reccommendation for 50 psi on heavy load and I'm about as heavy load as it gets. Unless the spoke wheels tube tires run different.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
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From: So California
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 816
Likes: 57
From: Rijssen, the Netherlands
What I don't understand is, why the 2013 Softail comes with the 103 engine WITH balanced crankshaft (103 B) and the Touring with UNbalanced crankshaft (103).. During my ride on rental Road Kings I noticed this shaking in idle or at low speeds. With my 88B block of my HC 2003 'Donky' I can even put a glass of water on the tank at idle rpm without spillage of water..