Softail Questions - tachometer/vibrations
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Greetings all,
2. When do vibrations start coming through the handlebars/grips with the 103B? IIRC, my old Softails started buzzing at around 75-80 mph... I don't experience any buzzing/vibration on my Dyna with the rubber mounted A frame engine, when cruising on the highway. Love that about the rubber mounted platform.
I want another Softail, thus my questions.
TIA for your input/experiences.
Cheers,
B
2. When do vibrations start coming through the handlebars/grips with the 103B? IIRC, my old Softails started buzzing at around 75-80 mph... I don't experience any buzzing/vibration on my Dyna with the rubber mounted A frame engine, when cruising on the highway. Love that about the rubber mounted platform.
I want another Softail, thus my questions.
TIA for your input/experiences.
Cheers,
B
The rubber-mount engines are definitely smoother at higher speeds and loads. Whether or not it matters to you will depend on how much time you spend at those higher speeds and loads. If I spent a lot of time over 85 or so, and vibration bothered me, I'd definitely prefer the Dyna (I have one of each).
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 164
From: Home
Vibration on the B engine is proportional to engine load. An engine isn't working that hard at 60-70 mph. Take that up to 80 or 90, and wind resistance is much higher, and the stronger power pulses to the rear wheel are fed back through the frame since there's no rubber isolation.
The rubber-mount engines are definitely smoother at higher speeds and loads. Whether or not it matters to you will depend on how much time you spend at those higher speeds and loads. If I spent a lot of time over 85 or so, and vibration bothered me, I'd definitely prefer the Dyna (I have one of each).
The rubber-mount engines are definitely smoother at higher speeds and loads. Whether or not it matters to you will depend on how much time you spend at those higher speeds and loads. If I spent a lot of time over 85 or so, and vibration bothered me, I'd definitely prefer the Dyna (I have one of each).
Wind resistance is a direct result from seating position. When I went from apes to drag bars, the wind resistance dropped. When I went from a Mustang Vintage to Danny Grey Speedcradle, the wind resistance is hardly noticeable .
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Cruise at a steady 70 or 80 or so, then open the throttle all the way and notice the increase in vibration. You can go back and forth between various throttle openings until the difference becomes clear.
While this difference in vibration at different throttle openings doesn't bother me much personally, it is almost non-existent on a Dyna, and also the rubbermount touring bikes. Their vibration pattern is different, tending to be more rpm related, typically worst under 2500 rpm, whereas the B engine can be very smooth at almost any rpm, as long as throttle isn't open very far.
I agree though that lower bars can produce quite a decrease in drag. Primarily for that reason, I haven't had apes since the 1970s.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Sep 19, 2016 at 08:27 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 199
Likes: 10
From: Midwest
^^^ Great posts, guys. I'm one of those guys that rides in the upper speed ranges, provided it is safe to do so. Traveling down to FL, I'm getting passed at 80 to 85 mph on I95 like I'm standing still, lol. Hence my post. I agree with both posts...
Thanks for your insight. Much appreciated!
Cheers,
B
Thanks for your insight. Much appreciated!
Cheers,
B
Last edited by Benito; Sep 19, 2016 at 10:37 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 164
From: Home
You can try this for yourself:
Cruise at a steady 70 or 80 or so, then open the throttle all the way and notice the increase in vibration. You can go back and forth between various throttle openings until the difference becomes clear.
While this difference in vibration at different throttle openings doesn't bother me much personally, it is almost non-existent on a Dyna, and also the rubbermount touring bikes. Their vibration pattern is different, tending to be more rpm related, typically worst under 2500 rpm, whereas the B engine can be very smooth at almost any rpm, as long as throttle isn't open very far.
I agree though that lower bars can produce quite a decrease in drag. Primarily for that reason, I haven't had apes since the 1970s.
Cruise at a steady 70 or 80 or so, then open the throttle all the way and notice the increase in vibration. You can go back and forth between various throttle openings until the difference becomes clear.
While this difference in vibration at different throttle openings doesn't bother me much personally, it is almost non-existent on a Dyna, and also the rubbermount touring bikes. Their vibration pattern is different, tending to be more rpm related, typically worst under 2500 rpm, whereas the B engine can be very smooth at almost any rpm, as long as throttle isn't open very far.
I agree though that lower bars can produce quite a decrease in drag. Primarily for that reason, I haven't had apes since the 1970s.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,528
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
^^^ I generally refrain from responding to such useless/infantile posts, but I'll indulge you.
I've owned motorcycles for almost 40 years. I'm at the point in my life that if I can continue to enjoy riding, then I'll seek the little luxurious like a windshield, risers or other useful amenities/luxuries to continue to two wheel it. Less compromises is a good thing! Less vibration is good as it causes me to enjoy riding at longer distances. You do ride over 10 miles, outside of visiting a bar?
I ride my bikes hard, I use the tach!
Responding to threads with useless humor/insults that offers absolutely no value, leads me to believe that you are one of those azzhats that feels good about themselves when trying to be humorous, at the expense of labeling yourself as a loser? Hiding behind your own inadequacies?It's another reason why I don't post much, due to immature azzhats like u. I digress; rant over...
TY to those gents that offered some valuable input. You saved me $300 bones.
Cheers/b
I've owned motorcycles for almost 40 years. I'm at the point in my life that if I can continue to enjoy riding, then I'll seek the little luxurious like a windshield, risers or other useful amenities/luxuries to continue to two wheel it. Less compromises is a good thing! Less vibration is good as it causes me to enjoy riding at longer distances. You do ride over 10 miles, outside of visiting a bar?
I ride my bikes hard, I use the tach!
Responding to threads with useless humor/insults that offers absolutely no value, leads me to believe that you are one of those azzhats that feels good about themselves when trying to be humorous, at the expense of labeling yourself as a loser? Hiding behind your own inadequacies?It's another reason why I don't post much, due to immature azzhats like u. I digress; rant over...
TY to those gents that offered some valuable input. You saved me $300 bones.
Cheers/b
Thanks, We are Blessed.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
If I am going 70 or 80 and want to get up to speed in a hurry, I will downshift then open the throttle up. It is better for the engine than trying to hammer it from a low rpm (34t pulley). I have no vibrations at any rpm and I bounced off the limiter on a regular basis.
I wonder if they'll eventually use the same balance-shaft Milwaukee 8 engine in both types of bikes? With the new engine, it looks like our days of the rubber-mount engines rockin' and rollin' at idle are coming to an end.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Sep 20, 2016 at 06:10 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 588
Likes: 199
From: Danbury Connecticut
I have a 14 heritage and I will say it depends on the load that is on the engine. I feel a slight buzz around 3500 and up . If I'm in a low gear going up a hill. Lets say 2nd gear. I will feel it at or above 3500 rpms. But 4th gear at 3500 it feels less. At 80 or 85 in 6th I feel nothing at all...Just my 2cts swifty
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 13,456
Likes: 10,452
From: Sunshine State
You get use to glancing at the tach, all my years I've always relied on the ears for RPMS and shifting but it is nice to have. Yes, I have the combo tach too.
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