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

 

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.

 

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".

 

You could look at changing the primary sprocket and chain to 1200 gearing, that'll drop the highway RPM some.

 

Tires are both good. Only about 2,000 miles on the bike. I'm crazy about maintenance and tire pressure so that's good. I haven't had it rebalanced or anything but I'm pretty sure it's not a tire issue. I wish I could explain it better than a buzz in the bars. Thanks though, I appreciate all input.

 

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.

 

Hey Don do you notice it on your bike ?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.