Calling all 2014-2015 RT owners with "Belt Vibration"

[KX5062]

My 14 RT has that same vibration and has had it from day 1. My theory is it is a combination of things. I think belt tension has something to do with it, but I think the bigger factor is the engine fuel management program in the ECM.

The EPA does some of their noise and emissions testing at certain engine RPM ranges, primarily around 4k or so, depending on the redline of that particular engine. As a consequence almost all motorcycle manufacturers have lean spots in that RPM range. Common wisdom is most fuel management programs are set so that they idle slightly lean, then get leaner from there until around the 4k RPM mark. Oddly enough, once you get near redline, the engine usually get very rich. That is done to protect the engine at very high RPMs, since no testing is done in that range.

 

[Deer Slayer]

It has been described as a "Harmonic Vibration". Perhaps by dropping a gear, you're just moving the frequencies around enough, that it stops the vibration... :dontknow:

YUP! +1:cheers:

 

[Deer Slayer]

lumpy Kenda?

When we swapped my rear tire out we obsurved tread and ball spots on the Kenda. You can balance all you want to, but if the tyre is not round, you gonna bounce.:cheers:

 

[mattgroveton]

New 2015

My RTS is brand new and it vibrates at exactly 75 mph.

 

[Old Man Grizz]

Ours does too...

Our New 14 RTS has the shakes too
we have about 1400 miles on it, absolutely love it, but from about 68-74, The Old Girl feels like She's Poopin' Bones....
We are on vacation with our horses now, but definitly will try the "Experiment".
We really Love our Spyder, and I'm sure we will figure out how to at least make the vibration a bit more tolerable
:shocked:
Hope to meet some of You Folks at The Spyder Rendezvous this Year:yes:
Peace,
Old Man Grizz

 

[Spyderups]

Tire balancing

With 10,000 miles on the OEM Kenda the 15 RTS is ready for a new shoe, and have a Kumho waiting in the wings. Have noticed the 68-70 mph vibration as others have noted usually when loading the belt on an upgrade. I am hesitant to up the tension but willing to tweak it up or down.

First goal is to find a shop with a balance machine that can handle the groove on the wheel rim and get a true spin balance. I have used the Harbor freight static balance stand and Ride-On on one of the 3 rear tires replaced on the 11 RT, but maybe the Firestone shop can help as others have mentioned.

If not--- anyone know where I can get some more stick on weights? I usually recycle the old ones, but notice the rear rim on the 2015 doesn't have any. Could it be that the balance was perfect from the factory? HMMM......

Try putting RIDE ON in tires...I did I like It!!!

 

[SpyderCruiser]

Pretty sure wheel balance is not my issue as it goes away by downshifting to 5th and keeping the :ani29: at 75 mph. If it was wheel balance downshifting would not have any effect. Keep your ideas coming.:banghead:

Today I connected my belt tensioner back up and reduced the tension to 8 pounds. Will see if this changes the speed that the vibration occurs.

 

[SAMBILLIE]

SWAY BAR

will a sway bar help?

 

[Bensonoid]

If not--- anyone know where I can get some more stick on weights? I usually recycle the old ones, but notice the rear rim on the 2015 doesn't have any. Could it be that the balance was perfect from the factory? HMMM......

Harbor Freight has them

 

[PaladinLV]

Thanks for all your input so far.
I have noticed the vibration increases when going up a hill as well. I am basing my opinion that it is not the belt, because a tensioner did not cure the issue.

Does not need to be the belt to experience Harmonic Vibration.
Many vehicles of all types can experience this.
The vehicle, road, weather conditions, all play a part. It's less noticeable in a cager but they too are susceptible.
IF you know belt tension is correct, alignment and/or tire balance can also contribute to the vibration.

My first time at 75MPH on a rode between Las Vegas and Kingman I thought the Bike was going to shake apart.

Found TWELVE (yeah that's right 12) lead weights on my front left tire.
Shop rebalanced now its only 4. Improved the vibration but not gone.
Next Laser Alignment! Vibration has not returned except for a few @ 1 second as I pass 75 going to 80 and if right at 75 there is some very minor vibration so I just increase or decrease the RPM/MPH a tad and gone.

AJ

 

[enigmatic biker]

Not Good Vibrations

I just got back from taking my 2014 RT-S to Sturgis-Spearfish-Deadwood last week to attend a rally for another brand. I noticed the same vibration that the thread-starter described. Since I was on the "slab" and the road surface conditions are not great through most of I-90 in MT, WY, I chalked it up to road surface caused. I've ridden this route several other times on a bike and road vibration was noticeable, but not to the degree it was with the Spyder. I did notice that it happened under deceleration more frequently than when into the throttle. I will be keeping an eye on what you experts come up with.

On a positive note, this was my first extended ride on the RT-S and I encountered various intensities of rain for the better part of a 200 miles or so, and I must say this is the most stable machine I have ever ridden in rain at speeds.

I have floorboards but am considering highway pegs. Any recommendations?

Len

 

[pitzerwm]

I have floorboards but am considering highway pegs. Any recommendations?

Len

Check out #17 for what I did: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?75970-Nothing-spectacular-just-making-it-mine

 

[PaladinLV]

I have floorboards but am considering highway pegs. Any recommendations?

Len

Hijacking a thread is not a gentlemanly thing to do!
The correct procedure would be to start your own.

AJ

 

[Deanna777]

I have own a 2014RTS-SE6 and I do not feel a vibration, and I have ridden @ 80mph ( passing a vehicle) than back down to the posted speed limit.

Also I have replaced the rear tire with a General Altimax RT 43,( last month) and I do not get any vibrations.

Deanna

 

[Woodsrider]

Mine's a '14 SM6, no vibration. A lot of my commute is Interstate with 70 posted and you get run over if you're doing that. Any correlation between SE vice SM on the vibration?

 

[Mad Mac]

Torque,Torque,and more Torque.....

In my honest opinion, I feel it's just a characteristic of the way the engine applies torque to the rear wheel and all moving parts associated with how the vehicle is supposed to "motivate". I can get a slight vibration at low speeds when I'm short shifting to a higher gear when I'm 2-up but not when I'm solo, lugging it some but I have not experienced any "hesitation" or "cutting-out" as you describe. As long as belt tension checks out(mainly too tight) just ride and enjoy it, it is just a "machine" ya know. Good luck and let us know what you find. Mad Mac.

 

[SpyderCruiser]

Well, reducing the belt tensioner tension to 8 pounds did not make any difference. I am starting to wonder if it is belt vibration, maybe it is the top of the belt that is vibrating and not the bottom where the tensioner is. However when I downshift to 5th the vibration goes away. This is driving me crazy and has to be resolved. It starts around 73 mph and does not go away until I pass 80. Suggestions?

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Well, reducing the belt tensioner tension to 8 pounds did not make any difference. I am starting to wonder if it is belt vibration, maybe it is the top of the belt that is vibrating and not the bottom where the tensioner is. However when I downshift to 5th the vibration goes away. This is driving me crazy and has to be resolved. It starts around 73 mph and does not go away until I pass 80. Suggestions?

72 mph would be my suggestion. My belt vibrates but I don't let it bother me. In fact, if I'm a bit sleepy the vibration helps to keep me alert plus I like riding at 80+.

 

[AeroPilot]

Used HF wheel balance stand to balance the new rear tire... seems to be better

Pretty sure wheel balance is not my issue as it goes away by downshifting to 5th and keeping the :ani29: at 75 mph. If it was wheel balance downshifting would not have any effect. Keep your ideas coming.:banghead:

Today I connected my belt tensioner back up and reduced the tension to 8 pounds. Will see if this changes the speed that the vibration occurs.

Just finished putting on a new Kumho on the back, and was surprised that there were NO previous balance weights on the wheel when I pulled the OEM Kenda off. After about 30 spins on the HF stand, and 1 3/4 ounce of weights, my wife says it seems better, but will wait to give a final verdict this weekend.

Have 230 lbs tension on the belt and tracking well, but interested in others belt tension, amount of weights on the rear wheel.

I also was surprised at the one piece wheel assembly on the 2015 versus the hub that bolted on, as on the previous wheels.

Discount Tire was nice enough to furnish the black stick-on weights to match the black wheel on the RTS:yes:

 

[cmungen]

vibration

spyder cruiser figured it out, you dont have to change speed ....change the rpm and drive line speed.
just shift out of the vibration.
all drive lines creat a harmonic and begin to vibtate, with a belt, the vibration has something to act out on. change the harmonic and the vibration goes away.
Carl