Everybody here knows that sportsters vibrate. can anybody tell me why ? seems like my searching is just coming up with a lot of people guessing.

 

Are you talking about an old sportster ?


I had a sportster back in 89 and it literally shook the eyeballs in the sockets. I recently bought a new to me 2005 883 C and it's a different beast all together. The rubber mounted engine has fixed the problem. The only thing that needed upgrading was the suspension.

 

45 degree cylinders makes the engine inherently un- balanced.Been that way since the first v-twin was built.

 

What is the difference between a "Quick Question" and and a regular question?

 

There is no guessing involved. With the 45degree v-twin engine, the firing sequence of the individual cylinders results in a constant battle between the two. Remember also that the original Harley design was conceived over 100 yrs ago by guys that ran a bicycle shop. Since then, HD has had a death grip on the design not out of any engineering basis, but solely because of fad or fashion. It is nuts.

 

The V-Twins vibrate a lot because they are only 1/4 of an 8 cylinder radial aircraft engine. Parts are missing that would otherwise smooth it out a bit . . . .

 

How were people guessing at this? Really the only motors that dont vibrate are boxer engines because they cancel out (by design). Even that 4 banger in your focus vibrates. Cars just have hella good dampers. Same concept as the rubber mount design (which is in new sporsters).

Edit: I guess theoretically the 8 piston design of airplanes where they are all opposing each other would also cancel out as jaytee stated. I just have no real working knowledge of airplane motors.

 

because the engine is running... are you serious? every gas motorcycle vibrates

 

looks like quick ones are ill-concieved and illogical... what gas engine doesn't vibrate?


you may dampen it, but it's still vibrating.


here's a quick question, why do tires roll? i've looked on the internet, but can't find a reason why...

 

I guess I didn't word my question right. I've been riding sportsters for a while now. I upgraded to a '06 1200 L a few years ago and I'll admit the rubber mounting is a big improvement. I won't go newer than an '06 'cause I can do my own work on a carbed bike. But I've had more than a couple people ask my why I don't go bigger for the smoother ride. I've been riding for over 50 years and too old and set in my ways to want to change now, I'm a sporty fan and will remain so. But if the ultras and soft tails etc. have the same 45 degree engine why are they so much smoother? Just curious thats all.