Need some input please..
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 663
Likes: 2
From: ...
Need some input please..
My wife has a 2011 Sportster 883 Super Low and loves the bike but there is one big problem. At highway speed 60-65 mph there is a pretty bad buzzy vibration in the bars. Any riding longer than 20 minutes at that speed and her hands go numb because of it. I put Avon grips on and weighted end peices called Vibranators in the bar but it only helped a bit. She is not gripping too hard and I know it's there because I have felt it myself. It seems like in that particular RPM range it just gets buzzy. When I ride it I am always looking for a sixth gear.
So now she has been thinking of moving up to a bigger bike, maybe a Dyna, but found a new 2012 Sportster 1200 Custom that she really likes. The problem is I don't know if it will be any different as far as the buzz in the bars. Is this just a trait of Sportsters or will the slightly larger bump in displacement cure the issue ? All opinions are appreciated. Thanks
So now she has been thinking of moving up to a bigger bike, maybe a Dyna, but found a new 2012 Sportster 1200 Custom that she really likes. The problem is I don't know if it will be any different as far as the buzz in the bars. Is this just a trait of Sportsters or will the slightly larger bump in displacement cure the issue ? All opinions are appreciated. Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
I have ridden a few sporty's but never owned one, so I can't really comment on the specific buzzing (if it's a common thing or not) to the sportster model.
What does the front tire look like?
How many miles?
Is it cupped at all?
Proper inflation?
Properly balanced?, have you had it rebalanced?
I only mention this because you didn't mention anything about the tires.
I would start there if you haven't already.
What does the front tire look like?
How many miles?
Is it cupped at all?
Proper inflation?
Properly balanced?, have you had it rebalanced?
I only mention this because you didn't mention anything about the tires.
I would start there if you haven't already.
Last edited by ElectraGlideSteve; Feb 15, 2012 at 02:51 PM.
I haven't had the issue with my 2012 Iron but I would imagine, more than the engine size, that the gearing in the 1200 would be more advantageous. From what I've heard, the 1200 gearing is such that your top end vibration is a lot less "intense".
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 663
Likes: 2
From: ...
I have ridden a few sporty's but never owned one, so I can't really comment on the specific buzzing (if it's a common thing or not) to the sportster model.
What does the front tire look like?
How many miles?
Is it cupped at all?
Proper inflation?
Properly balanced?, have you had it rebalanced?
I only mention this because you didn't mention anything about the tires.
I would start there if you haven't already.
What does the front tire look like?
How many miles?
Is it cupped at all?
Proper inflation?
Properly balanced?, have you had it rebalanced?
I only mention this because you didn't mention anything about the tires.
I would start there if you haven't already.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 663
Likes: 2
From: ...
That might be it right there. Thank you. I want her to take one for a ride and see if it's any different but you may have hit it exactly.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 663
Likes: 2
From: ...
Hey Don do you notice it on your bike ?
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
You could always switch out the sprockets to the 1200 sprockets to lower the rpms at the 60-65mph range which might actually move the vibe range up to the 70-75 mph range. I think I remember it being that you'll lower the rpm range by 400 by changing a one tooth different sprocket.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 567
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern KY.
Ours does have a little buzz around that speed but this sounds crazy but it leaves about 72, and the more miles we got on it the better it got as well. The first 1000 or so it was pretty bad. It seems to have a rpm range that it doesent like. I have a Heritage and the sporty is really as smooth as it is on the interstate.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 725
Likes: 3
From: Hagerstown, MD
problem is if you change the gearing then Your not going to have any power. I know my 1200 should be in 4th gear at 60 mph not 5th. Theres got to be something that can be done about that, maybe something is loose on the Bike that is causing it like an engine mount or something?, the weighted Bar ends work great on high RPM bikes.