minimizing vibration
minimizing vibration
Hey there. I have tried to search the posts for this and was not able to find anything, I have a 99 Sportster 883 Hugger and I love the bike and how it handles with the power it has, however the vibration is very excessive and is making it painful for me to ride. I have bad disks in my lower back and after a little riding the vibration puts me in so much pain that I cant ride. I have noticed to that even my mirrors will not stay where they are set to and nothing I do. I am hoping someone has found a way to contol this vibration some so I can ride for a while. Thank you
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: eureka
I have a crushed vertebra and I wear a lifting belt (like a kidney belt) cinched tight. Works for me when I ride my '93 with Le Pera "bare bones" seat, at least for an hour or so ...
I don't think that you can do much about the vibration. But maybe a plusher seat for comfort ?
Good luck !
I don't think that you can do much about the vibration. But maybe a plusher seat for comfort ?
Good luck !
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 7
You can try changing your shocks - a lot of guys put road king shocks on their sporties and say it helps, check ebay for them. Might also want to ensure your wheels are balanced, that can cause vibration and that your tires are round and true. A little bit less air in the tires may help (and chances are you're running too much air anyway, most do).
Or, dump that sporty and buy a more comfy bike. I have a sporty and a vrod and there is no comparison whatsoever in ride quality and with that revolution engine - almost zero vibration.
Or, dump that sporty and buy a more comfy bike. I have a sporty and a vrod and there is no comparison whatsoever in ride quality and with that revolution engine - almost zero vibration.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I sympathise with your problem. Having owned Harleys since the 70s, including solid mount big twins, I could never get past the vibration of solid Sportys, despite not having a bad back! I now have a recent rubber mount and they are so much nicer I really suggest you consider changing to an 04 or later.
That will give you a great bike on which to build further improvements to give you a comfortable ride.
That will give you a great bike on which to build further improvements to give you a comfortable ride.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
I don't think there is much you can do for your problem. I have two bulging disc and still ride my 09 Sporty. While it can get uncomfortable I can still ride it for good distances before having to stop for awile. While a better seat helps I have found the vibration through the handle bars to cause me the most discomfort and you can forget seeing anthing but a blur in the mirrors at about any speed. All that said I love to ride my Sporty and always will.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 122
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Hey there. I have tried to search the posts for this and was not able to find anything, I have a 99 Sportster 883 Hugger and I love the bike and how it handles with the power it has, however the vibration is very excessive and is making it painful for me to ride. I have bad disks in my lower back and after a little riding the vibration puts me in so much pain that I cant ride. I have noticed to that even my mirrors will not stay where they are set to and nothing I do. I am hoping someone has found a way to contol this vibration some so I can ride for a while. Thank you
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...d-mounted.html
I ride a 2001 Sporster 1200 just about every day and have no issues with vibration, good luck.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I don't think there is much you can do for your problem. I have two bulging disc and still ride my 09 Sporty. While it can get uncomfortable I can still ride it for good distances before having to stop for awile. While a better seat helps I have found the vibration through the handle bars to cause me the most discomfort and you can forget seeing anthing but a blur in the mirrors at about any speed. All that said I love to ride my Sporty and always will.
Last edited by grbrown; Jun 20, 2013 at 08:03 AM.
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One, I did search 4 times for vibration and got 20 pages of results so then I refined to eliminating vibration and still 20 plus pages. I have road shocks already on my bike as well as updated front springs. I am wondering why I cant put rubber mounts from a newer bike on mine. The vibration at the seat is bad bit handle bars and foot boards are terrible.