I get a strange vibration at higher speeds...

[DGoebel]

The tires were brand new with only 300 miles (now at 640) at the time of the vibration showing up about 76-77 mph. How did you know to check and replace the tires?
Jim

Jim, many Kenda tires just had balance anomalies, some don't at all. But I'd follow the check your bikes belt tension first, then consider the Belt tensioner (less expensive than a front tire swap), it's easy to install and remove if it doesn't fix the issue, then replace tires if the tensioner didn't fix it.
My '13 RTL has both the belt tensioner (one more maintenance check you gotta do if you add one) AND non-kenda front tires. It's pretty smooth through my whole speed comfort zone.

 

[Lew L]

MY:spyder2: came with such bad tires that they couldn't be balanced. Dealer switched out tires and rims. Took them off a floor model RTS. Feel sorry for the person who bought that bike.

Lew L

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

MY:spyder2: came with such bad tires that they couldn't be balanced. Dealer switched out tires and rims. Took them off a floor model RTS. Feel sorry for the person who bought that bike.

Lew L

Yea, however the dealer may have gotten BRP to re-place the Bad ones ????? .......... Mike:thumbup:

 

[Stache]

... that feels like running over the rumble cuts on the side of the highway. I’m running at 75 on the interstate and if I accelerate when the byke gets to 77 I feel the vibration. I don’t feel anything in the steering so I wonder if it’s engine? Odd vibration. Stops when I back off the throttle. What might this be?
2019 Spyder RTL. All stock.
Jim

Just had my belt tension set by dealer during first service. Vibration gone. I’ll likely request tension check for all future service visits

 

[Claimbo]

I have to agree, its the tires. I would get a vibration at 76 mph and it would go away at 80. It would come back in the 90s and went away. I couldnt find anyone who could fix them. BRP is aware of this. Either live with it untle the tires wear at which time your vibration will go away. Or simply change out the tires to non OEM tires. I would say the easiest thing to do is to change out the tires. BTW, it has to do with the tread pattern. Thats why on the 2020 the tread pattern is different and this problem no longer exists.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I have to agree, its the tires. I would get a vibration at 76 mph and it would go away at 80. It would come back in the 90s and went away. I couldnt find anyone who could fix them. BRP is aware of this. Either live with it untle the tires wear at which time your vibration will go away. Or simply change out the tires to non OEM tires. I would say the easiest thing to do is to change out the tires. BTW, it has to do with the tread pattern. Thats why on the 2020 the tread pattern is different and this problem no longer exists.

I have never had a tire / wheel IMBALANCE issue , where it would come and go at different speeds ...... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Peter Aawen]

:agree: .... also consider this - is the vibration so annoying that you are willing to possibly having to re-place your drive belt ( @ $350.00 ) if the roller on the tensioner fails and ruins that belt ( this has occurred to people on this Forum ) ...... good luck ..... Mike :thumbup:

I'm curious about what the damge will be to the belt becasue of the vibration. Won't the vibration cause misalignment, skipping teeth, or something like that? I'm not a mechanic and cetaily not an engineer.
Jim

If I've got this right (considering that I don't even have a dog in this fight.... ) it's not so much the damage the vibration will do to the belt, it's the potential damage the tensioner (well, vibration damper, anyway! ) may do to the belt!! :yikes:

There have been a fair few reported cases of the damper rollers &/or beaings failing and eventually taking out the belt completely; a few more where the springs &/or arms have failed & damaged the belt somewhat; and some where the owners have been lucky enough to catch the developing problem before the belt's been damaged, resulting in either the replacement or complete removal of the damper. Probably not a massive percentage of all the dampers sold, but enough that there are a number of threads reported here, and a few people who really got seen off over some variation of the problem.... :banghead:

Have you considered simply lowering or changing the belt tension?? Many (more than those above, I'd think?) have completely or almost completely resolved their belt vibration issues by lowering the tension on their belts.... :dontknow:

Mind you, it certainly could well be the OE Spec Tires - you wouldn't be the first to get a dodgy &/or completely un-balanceable set.... and if it is them, I doubt you'll be the last too - at least, not whilever BRP insists on pushing Kenda tires to the exclusion of anything better!! There have even been a few 'out-of-round' rims reported!! But as others have said, while tire &/or rim issues can get markedly worse at some specific speeds, the vibrations from them are usually there ALL the time, at least to some degree!