Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Vibration in Rear while Braking

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 05:53 PM
  #1  
Paule253's Avatar
Paule253
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default Vibration in Rear while Braking

2011 Road King 7500 miles....I am experiencing a vibration that is felt throughout the complete bike, from the handlebars to the seat. I experience this problem only when I first start my ride, while the bike has not gone more then a few hundred feet. The vibration increases when riding two-up. It only occures when the rear brake in used (no front brake). It is not the Antilock braking system. I know what that is and it is not the same. (No vibration of the foot brake, which occures durnig the engagement of the antilock system). This problem disappears when I make a few rear brake stops. I brought the bike into my local HD dealer and he checked the rear brake rotor for wrap, brake liner for wear, rear wheel bearings, drive belt and shocks. No problems found. Stated it was not a safety problem. Not his bike, so I do not know if he really cares. If you know of anyone who has experenced the same problem, please inform me. I am trying to find the cause of the problem before I contact The Motor Company. I have had a previous problem with another Harley I owned. And the manufacture does not really do a good job taking care of problems without you knowing what is causing it.
 
Reply
Old May 15, 2012 | 07:22 PM
  #2  
hojones's Avatar
hojones
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,535
Likes: 15
From: Salem, Va.
Default

The problem started in 2009 when they redesigned the frame. Take the bike out and do some hard stops with only the rear brake. Then after you feel the vibration, do it again but this time flip the engine off with the handlebar switch. If the problem goes away then it is the frame change and not the brakes. I know this sounds like I'm full of it but try it anyway. HD knows about it and there are articles about this all over the place. They say it is Normal. (surprise, surprise)
 
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2012 | 02:24 PM
  #3  
newforesthog's Avatar
newforesthog
Stage I
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: UK
Angry 2012 FLHTCU Rear Vibration - Rusty Mufflers, UK

Originally Posted by Paule253
2011 Road King 7500 miles....I am experiencing a vibration that is felt throughout the complete bike, from the handlebars to the seat. I experience this problem only when I first start my ride, while the bike has not gone more then a few hundred feet. The vibration increases when riding two-up. It only occures when the rear brake in used (no front brake). It is not the Antilock braking system. I know what that is and it is not the same. (No vibration of the foot brake, which occures durnig the engagement of the antilock system). This problem disappears when I make a few rear brake stops. I brought the bike into my local HD dealer and he checked the rear brake rotor for wrap, brake liner for wear, rear wheel bearings, drive belt and shocks. No problems found. Stated it was not a safety problem. Not his bike, so I do not know if he really cares. If you know of anyone who has experenced the same problem, please inform me. I am trying to find the cause of the problem before I contact The Motor Company. I have had a previous problem with another Harley I owned. And the manufacture does not really do a good job taking care of problems without you knowing what is causing it.
MY Ł21000 2012 FLHTCU was delivered with rusty mufflers and the rear end vibrates badly when I apply the rear brake only. No vibration with front brake only applied. Harley Davidson boast of pure quality but they let bikes leave the factory with rusty mufflers. Have written to HD-UK and asked:

Is this vibration 'normal'?

Is it part of the design?

Is the bike safe to ride?

Awaiting a reply from Harley UK

Been riding 42 years Brit bikes, Japanese and my last being a Beemer. I have never had quality and design problems before. Would love to hear from other owners and the conclusion, if any, from Harley Davidson.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mndelrosario
Touring Models
9
Sep 20, 2015 07:56 AM
dinsmoor17
2014-2024 Touring Models
6
Sep 10, 2015 09:26 AM
jharraid
Touring Models
19
Jan 28, 2015 06:04 AM
user 37474839
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
6
Sep 28, 2007 09:07 AM
bikerbehaviorist
Softail Models
9
Nov 1, 2006 12:02 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:03 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE