Bouncing Handlebar at Idle
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6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
Bouncing Handlebar at Idle
Good to be a member of the forum. I have been riding for 43 years on all kinds of motorcycles with various engine configurations. Probably have owned and ridden 30 motorcycles. I bought an '07 Road King
Police with 27,500 miles on it about a month ago. I've put about 1200 mile on it now and have a question about the only complaint I have with this bike. At idle at a traffic light, the handlebar bounces up and down. It's irritating. All my riding career I have kept my hands on the handlebar at a traffic light and this is the only bike I have owned that does this. I know its a big 45 degree twin, etc. and everyone says this is "just what they do" and "live with it." Dealer checked the bike over and there are no problems with the bike. I can raise the idle slightly with the throttle and there is no bouncing but I know this is not what I am supposed to do. How will I get used to this without it making me a nervous wreck at every red traffic light?
Sam
Police with 27,500 miles on it about a month ago. I've put about 1200 mile on it now and have a question about the only complaint I have with this bike. At idle at a traffic light, the handlebar bounces up and down. It's irritating. All my riding career I have kept my hands on the handlebar at a traffic light and this is the only bike I have owned that does this. I know its a big 45 degree twin, etc. and everyone says this is "just what they do" and "live with it." Dealer checked the bike over and there are no problems with the bike. I can raise the idle slightly with the throttle and there is no bouncing but I know this is not what I am supposed to do. How will I get used to this without it making me a nervous wreck at every red traffic light?Sam
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 4
From: Here
Like everyone says, that's what a rubber mounted engine does. If you can't learn to accept (and love it like we do) that as normal for them, you could always get a rigid mount "B" softail or go to a metric.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
Good to be a member of the forum. I have been riding for 43 years on all kinds of motorcycles with various engine configurations. Probably have owned and ridden 30 motorcycles. I bought an '07 Road King Police with 27,500 miles on it about a month ago. I've put about 1200 mile on it now and have a question about the only complaint I have with this bike. At idle at a traffic light, the handlebar bounces up and down. It's irritating. All my riding career I have kept my hands on the handlebar at a traffic light and this is the only bike I have owned that does this. I know its a big 45 degree twin, etc. and everyone says this is "just what they do" and "live with it." Dealer checked the bike over and there are no problems with the bike. I can raise the idle slightly with the throttle and there is no bouncing but I know this is not what I am supposed to do. How will I get used to this without it making me a nervous wreck at every red traffic light?
Sam
Police with 27,500 miles on it about a month ago. I've put about 1200 mile on it now and have a question about the only complaint I have with this bike. At idle at a traffic light, the handlebar bounces up and down. It's irritating. All my riding career I have kept my hands on the handlebar at a traffic light and this is the only bike I have owned that does this. I know its a big 45 degree twin, etc. and everyone says this is "just what they do" and "live with it." Dealer checked the bike over and there are no problems with the bike. I can raise the idle slightly with the throttle and there is no bouncing but I know this is not what I am supposed to do. How will I get used to this without it making me a nervous wreck at every red traffic light?Sam
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 3
From: The "Quay", Norf Cack
It's simple. Engine is not internally balanced and is rubber mounted. It vibrates hard at idle and smooths out upon acceleration. If you don't like it, go get a internally balanced Softail with solid engine mounts. Then it will be smooth at idle and shake your fillings when you're on the highway. Your choice. 
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 38
From: The real N.CA (not S.F. Bay Area)
If you want to have a Harley touring bike, you're stuck with that characteristic, as far as I know. Give it some time. It's really not that bothersome once you get used to it. You can always switch over to a Softail if you feel the need.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 27
From: florida swamp
Good to be a member of the forum. I have been riding for 43 years on all kinds of motorcycles with various engine configurations. Probably have owned and ridden 30 motorcycles. I bought an '07 Road King Police with 27,500 miles on it about a month ago. I've put about 1200 mile on it now and have a question about the only complaint I have with this bike. At idle at a traffic light, the handlebar bounces up and down. It's irritating. All my riding career I have kept my hands on the handlebar at a traffic light and this is the only bike I have owned that does this. I know its a big 45 degree twin, etc. and everyone says this is "just what they do" and "live with it." Dealer checked the bike over and there are no problems with the bike. I can raise the idle slightly with the throttle and there is no bouncing but I know this is not what I am supposed to do. How will I get used to this without it making me a nervous wreck at every red traffic light?
Sam
Police with 27,500 miles on it about a month ago. I've put about 1200 mile on it now and have a question about the only complaint I have with this bike. At idle at a traffic light, the handlebar bounces up and down. It's irritating. All my riding career I have kept my hands on the handlebar at a traffic light and this is the only bike I have owned that does this. I know its a big 45 degree twin, etc. and everyone says this is "just what they do" and "live with it." Dealer checked the bike over and there are no problems with the bike. I can raise the idle slightly with the throttle and there is no bouncing but I know this is not what I am supposed to do. How will I get used to this without it making me a nervous wreck at every red traffic light?Sam
your front mount may also be shot, this is a common problem. You may try a velva ride which will reduce the bar shake somewhat depending on how bad it is now. But it will still do it. The velva ride seems too increase the at speed vibration a bit for some folks so that's the trade off.
edit: FWIW, a softail balanced motor will NOT shake your fillings at speed. You will feel it a bit however,as it's a V twin.
Last edited by carpetride; Oct 19, 2009 at 12:56 PM.
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