Vibrating Heritage on the freeway
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 777
Likes: 36
From: Woodland Hills, CA
Vibrating Heritage on the freeway
Hi everyone. Have a new to me 2000 FLSTC with a carb. Wondering what people think about them on the freeway. Mine gives me some pretty good vibration to my legs through the floorboards over about 65 mph. Nothing at all through the bars, just the floorboards. Is this normal?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
My 09 made my teeth chatter at 70 mph.
I then put on new tires and that smoothed out the ride.
I think my front tire was "cupped".
I think though that all softails have a little bit of vibrate at 70+.
I generally just keep it under 70 mph and enjoy the scenery.
I then put on new tires and that smoothed out the ride.
I think my front tire was "cupped".
I think though that all softails have a little bit of vibrate at 70+.
I generally just keep it under 70 mph and enjoy the scenery.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Pretty much. The balanced motors have "sweet spots" where they don't vibrate at all, and will vibrate at others. Seems the faster you go, the more they vibrate. More of a buzz, really.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 32
From: usa
Idk what's diff about my 04 heritage. Fastest I've gone its 95 mph..I'm sure it'd couldda gone much faster and no vibration atall..I routinely go 80+ mph
Last edited by amkaos; Nov 15, 2014 at 08:28 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 588
Likes: 199
From: Danbury Connecticut
Congrats on the bike. .I would look at 3 things first. Are the wheels balanced??? You could pull off the weights and put in dyna beads to remove this possible problem from the equation. The next thing could be a loose spoke. That would give you a floorboard vibration as well. Then I would check the motor mounts make sure that they are all tight.
Once again good luck with your bike!!! I'm sure you will enjoy it....swifty
Once again good luck with your bike!!! I'm sure you will enjoy it....swifty
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 91
From: Michigan
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 777
Likes: 36
From: Woodland Hills, CA
Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, the floorboards are stock. It's definitely a buzzing coming up from there. Dosent feel like a tire balance problem. Are there other types of floorboards that might absorb some of the buzz? Also feels like it needs a 6th speed...lol!
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Congrats on your "new to you" new ride!
Funny thing happened last week.
Devin, the "D" in DK has a Street Glide, I have a Heritage. It had been awhile since he had ridden a Softail, and awhile since I had ridden a Touring model.
We had a short 40 mile hop to make on the interstate, so we swapped bikes...intending to cover the entire 40 miles.
After 15 miles I pulled off at an exit and said I'd had enough...he had a look of relief on his face...he'd had enough also. lol
We had been running between 70 and 90 mph.
First thing I noticed (remembered) was how smooth the Touring models are...no vibes in the handlebars, floorboards or highway pegs. I was fine with that, but his seat/handlebar/floorboard triangle was set up all wrong for me....no matter what I tried, I could not get comfortable.
He was ok with how my seat/handlebars/floorboards were set up (although he would change a bit), but he was pretty worried there was something wrong with the bike because of the vibration/buzzing.
Well, when we swapped back to our own bikes, all was well, we both felt like we were back at home on our own rides. lol
I remember when I first got the Heritage, it took a bit of riding to get used to the buzzing...now I don't notice it.
Like QC, they all buzz some.
That said, I would make sure the tires are not cupped, the spokes are good, tires balanced (I use Dyna Beads), motor mount points all tight, probably check the floorboard mounts also, since that is where you're noticing it the most.
Probably wouldn't hurt to ride another Softail and see if it is different, or if you are experiencing the normal buzzing.
As far as another gear...I always seem to go for another gear...when I had 5 speeds, I was constantly going for another, but it wasn't there. Now with the 6 speeds, I go for 7th just as much.
Funny thing happened last week.
Devin, the "D" in DK has a Street Glide, I have a Heritage. It had been awhile since he had ridden a Softail, and awhile since I had ridden a Touring model.
We had a short 40 mile hop to make on the interstate, so we swapped bikes...intending to cover the entire 40 miles.
After 15 miles I pulled off at an exit and said I'd had enough...he had a look of relief on his face...he'd had enough also. lol
We had been running between 70 and 90 mph.
First thing I noticed (remembered) was how smooth the Touring models are...no vibes in the handlebars, floorboards or highway pegs. I was fine with that, but his seat/handlebar/floorboard triangle was set up all wrong for me....no matter what I tried, I could not get comfortable.
He was ok with how my seat/handlebars/floorboards were set up (although he would change a bit), but he was pretty worried there was something wrong with the bike because of the vibration/buzzing.
Well, when we swapped back to our own bikes, all was well, we both felt like we were back at home on our own rides. lol
I remember when I first got the Heritage, it took a bit of riding to get used to the buzzing...now I don't notice it.
Like QC, they all buzz some.
That said, I would make sure the tires are not cupped, the spokes are good, tires balanced (I use Dyna Beads), motor mount points all tight, probably check the floorboard mounts also, since that is where you're noticing it the most.
Probably wouldn't hurt to ride another Softail and see if it is different, or if you are experiencing the normal buzzing.
As far as another gear...I always seem to go for another gear...when I had 5 speeds, I was constantly going for another, but it wasn't there. Now with the 6 speeds, I go for 7th just as much.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 25
From: Santa Fe NM
I've got a '02 Heritage that I've put 75k on since I've owned it. Can't say I've ever noticed a vibration on the footboards though... But then again it is smooth compared to my '94 heritage which would shake your teeth loose at 70mph.
As others have said check wheel balance. Check engine mounts. and Check your rubber pads on the footboards.
As others have said check wheel balance. Check engine mounts. and Check your rubber pads on the footboards.