ABS vibration
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
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From: TN
That would be the vibration of the motor that you are feeling. When the front brake is not applied, the vibration in the front fork is minimized because the wheel rolls back and forth slightly. When you apply the brake, the wheel can't move and thus the vibration is transferred up to the handlebars. This is normal.
Grand HDF Member
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From: Rolla
It is NOT your ABS
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: SoCal
How is it that you know that? If the module is malfunctioning the bike WILL NOT show a code and could pulse. I am not saying that it is or isn't, I don't know.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: San Angelo, Tx
Any bike at the dealer will do the same thing. ABS or non ABS. I initially thought the ABS was causing it on mine, until I read a little info on the subject....and noticed that the other two non ABS bikes Ive ridden (one a RG one a SG) do the same thing when the front break is applied at a stand still.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
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From: TN
Nor does he..I know the difference between low frequency vibrations in these machines that transport through the frame and forks, they do not dramatically increase in frequency like this bike does. I don't disparage his input, just do not agree. I went to a friends this morning, has a 12 RK..started it and applied the front brake lever..nothing but the usual low frequency vibes through the bars...nothing like what I experience.
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From: Rolla
Go sit on any bike (especially a V-Twin rubber mounted engine)
Sitting on the bike with the engine at idle and level ground so it will not roll.
No brakes applied and you can feel the engine vibrate a little, but not too much in the handle bars.
Now hold the front brake and that natural vibration will be magnified back up through the fork tubes to the handle bars and you will feel it much more.
Now since vibration and sound are very subjective, it is hard to say how much is too much.
I think someone mentioned already that if you have bad motor mounts, the vibration will be much more pronounced.
So, that is something that should be looked at.
But the fact is, you are going to feel this vibration much more with the front brake applied than with it off.
Just the way it is.
But one thing I am sure of, it is not the ABS causing it.
Any bike at the dealer will do the same thing. ABS or non ABS. I initially thought the ABS was causing it on mine, until I read a little info on the subject....and noticed that the other two non ABS bikes Ive ridden (one a RG one a SG) do the same thing when the front break is applied at a stand still.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: Rolla
Nor does he..I know the difference between low frequency vibrations in these machines that transport through the frame and forks, they do not dramatically increase in frequency like this bike does. I don't disparage his input, just do not agree. I went to a friends this morning, has a 12 RK..started it and applied the front brake lever..nothing but the usual low frequency vibes through the bars...nothing like what I experience.
The engine is rubber mounted, and if something is wrong there you would get a lot more vibration than normal.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
If it is indeed the ABS module malfunctioning, all the OP needs to do to test that theory is to apply the REAR brake while at idle. If it's the module, then either brake will make it vibrate. And BTW, a malfunctioning ABS module WILL throw a code.
Another way to test it would be to pull the ABS fuse, and try the front brake again at idle. That would totally eliminate the ABS system as the culprit.
Nor does he..I know the difference between low frequency vibrations in these machines that transport through the frame and forks, they do not dramatically increase in frequency like this bike does. I don't disparage his input, just do not agree. I went to a friends this morning, has a 12 RK..started it and applied the front brake lever..nothing but the usual low frequency vibes through the bars...nothing like what I experience.
What year and model is the bike? This could be as simple as going to the dealer for warranty work.
From your initial description of the problem, it's just simple feedback vibration. And you have to keep in mind a RK feels a little different from a bike with a fairing at idle, because of all the extra stuff hanging off the front. So since we don't know what flavor mule you ride, it's hard to be accurate.
Last edited by shooter5074; Apr 30, 2014 at 03:29 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
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From: TN
I called a riding buddy about my issue with the vibration, he told me to remove the ABS fuse, start the bike and try the front brake....no high frequency vibration at all. Plugged the fuse back in, started it again...still was smooth like it had always been. Nonetheless have scheduled to have Harley troubleshoot the system. Thanks to all that rendered comments..