Being fairly new to the Spyder sport and having only 400 miles on the machine I attempted some higher speeds today. 60-65 mph with a passenger aboard. I noticed a lot of vibration. It starts around 45 or 50 mph. and just gets worse from there. Could this be because the roadster is not broke in yet? At low speed around 30 and if I rev it around 5K the same thing is happening but maybe not quite as bad. I also noticed on the front wheels that there is weights on the right wheel and none on the left. The rear also has weights. Maybe it's a balancing issue? A long ride could be vary uncomfortable at that speed.
Waiting patiently for your expert advise....
It could be the wheels are out of whack and it could be the belt may be a little too tight. Also the Spyder don't get happy till about 5K so make sure you're not lugging it.
Being fairly new to the Spyder sport and having only 400 miles on the machine I attempted some higher speeds today. 60-65 mph with a passenger aboard. I noticed a lot of vibration. It starts around 45 or 50 mph. and just gets worse from there. Could this be because the roadster is not broke in yet? At low speed around 30 and if I rev it around 5K the same thing is happening but maybe not quite as bad. I also noticed on the front wheels that there is weights on the right wheel and none on the left. The rear also has weights. Maybe it's a balancing issue? A long ride could be vary uncomfortable at that speed.
Waiting patiently for your expert advise....
If you switch gears, but the vibration stays at the same speed, it is probably related to tires or drivetrain...most often the belt. If it moves to another speed, but is present at the same rpm, it is an engine or tuning related issue. My first guess is belt tension, which they will adjust at your 600 mile service. I would mention the vibration problem to them then, however, and question the wheel without weights...possible, but not common.
-Scotty
Being fairly new to the Spyder sport and having only 400 miles on the machine I attempted some higher speeds today. 60-65 mph with a passenger aboard. I noticed a lot of vibration. It starts around 45 or 50 mph. and just gets worse from there. Could this be because the roadster is not broke in yet? At low speed around 30 and if I rev it around 5K the same thing is happening but maybe not quite as bad. I also noticed on the front wheels that there is weights on the right wheel and none on the left. The rear also has weights. Maybe it's a balancing issue? A long ride could be vary uncomfortable at that speed.
Waiting patiently for your expert advise....
It could be tire pressure or ballance that is causing this problem. I noticed some vibration but not a bunch and what was there was cut down drastically by changing out the grips.
Happy SE5 Owner!!!
Silver/Black SE5 - Trunk Liner, 1" riser, 12v, Kuryakyn ISO Grips, 5" Kewlmetal Pullback Bars, Kewlmetal Console, Zumo 450, Ipod, Kewlmetal Highway brackets with Wing pegs, Triple Play, Wizard Light LED's, Corbin front/rear saddle with Backrest, Nelson Rigg CL950 Saddlebags with CL800 Tote Bag, CalSci Medium Windshield.
It could be the wheels are out of whack and it could be the belt may be a little too tight. Also the Spyder don't get happy till about 5K so make sure you're not lugging it.
Funny you say that...I also feel that the Spyder runs better and smoother at a higher speed/higher gear...almost like it wants you to get going....
Bone Crusher
If you work to make money, you'll never be happy, as there's never enough money...if you work to take good care of people, the money will always be there....Sean O'Connell, 1999
The vibrations I am feeling are all over the machine not just the handlebars. My passenger can feel it as well.
Does the vibration go away if you pull the clutch in and coast? If so, then my guess is that you are lugging the engine. As was stated - the Spyder doesn't really like the RPM's to be under 5,000 - especially in 4th and 5th gears.
I don't even think of hitting 5th gear until 65 mph - and with a passenger you would need to stay in 4th even longer. In your case, if you're in 5th gear with a passenger at 50mph - then you're most likely lugging the engine - drop to 4h and see how if feels.
The Spyder really likes the higher RPM's. Technically you can hit 62 mph and still be in 1st gear - so don't be afraid to run those RPM's up in the higher range.
I have the Semi Auto tranmission. I have tried pressing on the belt in the middlle area between the drive gear and the rear gear. Another member mentioned you should have 7/8" movement. That seems o/k.
I will give it another shot at a higher rpm and report my findings.
I had some similar vibrations during the break in period but they went away around 600 miles. But your on the machine and if your not comfortable get it looked at by your local shop. Let us know what happens.
I had one wheel without weights when I got my bike and got vibration at highway speeds.Dealer took both front wheels off and had them balanced at the tire store next door.Much better but still some light V-twin vibration in the bars.The weights are just a peel and stick setup and will peel or may have been a oversight from the factory.[Teaburd your close by]
Same rpm every gear is usually due to engine tuning issues (such as throttle bodies out of synch), normal engine harmonics, or possible motor mount issues (although they usually are present over a wider range of rpm). All motorcycles vibrate, and do so more noticeably at some point of their rpm range. V-twins are almost as notorious for this as the old Brit bikes. The best ways I know to get an idea of whether this is "normal" or not are to ride a dealer demo and compare, or have someone else with a Spyder ride yours and get their opinion.
-Scotty
Same rpm every gear is usually due to engine tuning issues (such as throttle bodies out of synch), normal engine harmonics, or possible motor mount issues (although they usually are present over a wider range of rpm). All motorcycles vibrate, and do so more noticeably at some point of their rpm range. V-twins are almost as notorious for this as the old Brit bikes. The best ways I know to get an idea of whether this is "normal" or not are to ride a dealer demo and compare, or have someone else with a Spyder ride yours and get their opinion.
-Scotty
+1 If it is normal vibration and it is bothersome to you, do a search. There is lots of information on here about how to lessen the vibration esp. in the bars.
Happy owner of Silver PE #1232
All The Gear All The Time - ATGATT
Gulf Coast SpyderRyders
I have an SE5 and the vibrations are mainly in the footpegs. I have 1700 miles on it and the vibration seems to be in 4th or fifth at around 4500-5500 rpm. I am planning on taking it to the dealer and test riding a demo to see if it is similar. I want to get the ISC running boards but I don't want it to be like having my foot on one of those old vibrating football games !!!
Yep, I have the same problem with my SE5 vibrating more than usual right around the 5k RPM mark and above, every gear. 5K is the RPM I run on the highway in 5th...sucky. Just had it in for 600 mile service, but problem still remains. So, is this sounding like a belt tension problem or something else? Any other SE5 riders have the same problem?
I had a horrible vibration in the foot pegs mostly the left peg. It think it was the belt and they had to align the engine in the frame. I can't remember how many miles????
Yep, I have the same problem with my SE5 vibrating more than usual right around the 5k RPM mark and above, every gear. 5K is the RPM I run on the highway in 5th...sucky. Just had it in for 600 mile service, but problem still remains. So, is this sounding like a belt tension problem or something else? Any other SE5 riders have the same problem?
Easy to find out. Adjust the belt tension and see if it changes.
-Scotty
I recently bought a new 2008 sm5 spyder, and I had a bad vibration at 45mph and faster. I took it in for my 600 mile checkup and they told me the belt tension checked out fine.....however......the tech told me that I had terrible spark knock! He asked me what gas I was using, and I told him Speedway. He told me that Speedway gas has way too much alcohol in it, and therefore the octane is too low, causing the severe spark knock and what I thought was vibration. His suggestion was either Shell or Sunoco gas, and I started using both as well as buying premium octane. It made all the difference in the world!!! Spark knock/vibration is gone. It only took one tank to get rid of the Speedway gas out of the engine.
Try either Shell or Sunoco premium gas. You will Love the difference!
I know there will be some vibrations but, it is excessive at 60 and smooths out 65 and higher. Tire pressure is good, I too was thinking it could be the belt and will have the whole thing checked out.
Originally Posted by Mr Safety
I have an SE5 and the vibrations are mainly in the footpegs. I have 1700 miles on it and the vibration seems to be in 4th or fifth at around 4500-5500 rpm. I am planning on taking it to the dealer and test riding a demo to see if it is similar. I want to get the ISC running boards but I don't want it to be like having my foot on one of those old vibrating football games !!!
I know after having work done to my Spyder where they changed belt tension I got different vibration at different RPM's than I had before.
As far as the Rotax motor, my opinion is it is pretty smooth, especially for a V-Twin. No motorcycle style vehicle will be as vibration free as a car.
My Honda Valkyrie was VERY smooth. The Spyder isn't all that far off.
You may have a number of vibration issues making it difficult to pin down. Once you get used to your Spyder it will be easier to distinuish.
Belt vibration comes and goes and is almost a harmonic effect throughout the machine. Frequency and magnitude depend on speed and loading (and, of course, belt tension). Given the same parameters it will always give the same effect. Change loading and or speed and belt vibration will tend to move around the RPM range.
Tire/wheel vibration is usually a lower frequency than either engine or belt. You can usually feel it coming from the source area (which is not necessarily true of belt vibration).
Wheel vibration is vehicle speed sensitive and totally independant of engine speed or loading. This is the best way to isolate for wheel imballance vibration.
Engine vibration is probably the easiest one to isolate. You can sit in your garage and check this out. Even though engine loading will change vibration you can get a feel for it sitting still in neutral as all other vibration sources are taken out of the equasion that way.
If engine vibration changes drastically under load you may have other issues like bad engine mounts or engine tune problems. Even bad fuel can make a difference (I think that was mentioned already).
Vibrations
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Originally Posted by Teaburd
