Vibration on 2012 RTS

[Ex-Rocket]

I just bought this Spyder about 3 weeks ago but haven't rode it much because it was either too cold or raining on the weekends. Well I was out riding today and putting the bike through its paces and I noticed a vibration up around 75 miles per hour. The bike has just alittle over 300 miles on it and I don't think it should be doing this. I have read something on here about the drive belt causing a vibration. Is this what I'm experiencing here? If it is what is the best belt tensioner that will take care of this vibration. I really don't feel the vibration at the lower speeds. Also is this an easy install or not. Thanks to all who reply.

 

[lookerjdc]

I have the same issue - when i'm doing around 73-75 mph and around 5000 rpm there is a harmonic vibration

I havent tried the belt tensioner product yet but I might

normally I just slow down a little and then speed back up and its goes away

 

[NancysToy]

All motorcycles, and especially all v-twins vibrate. At some point in their rpm range, the engine vibrations "sync" with the frame, etc., to make the vibration quite noticeable. Drive belts can do much the same thing. There can also be other sources. If the vibration occurs at the same rpm in any gear, the source is likely the engine. You cannot do much aboout that one. If the rpm is at the same speed, regardless of what gear you are in, it is likely belt. In that case, a belt tensioner (belt idler) may help somewhat. Just remember that a motorcycle will never be totally vibration free...and that the vibration will be greeater under some conditions than others.

 

[phj]

I have the same issue - when i'm doing around 73-75 mph and around 5000 rpm there is a harmonic vibration

I havent tried the belt tensioner product yet but I might

normally I just slow down a little and then speed back up and its goes away

I too had this problem on my 2012 RT and after many shop visits and phone calls to BRP we finally solved the vibration issue at least on this bike. We played with the belt tension and added an idler all to no avail. Then late last fall after riding a loaner 2010 RT which had none of the same issues I was dealing with we found the problem in the tires and rims. We swapped the front tires and rims off the loner bike to mine and the vibrations were almost completely gone. We had over the course of the summer rebalanced the tires on this bike on two occasions and they did show they were balanced. When BRP was confronted with this information they did admit they had "a few" tires that although they showed balanced on the tire balance device would/could produce a harsh vibration while riding a certain speeds. I am just waiting for some riding weather here in the north and I will bring the bike in to have the rear tire/rim replaced at BRP request as well. We had tighten up the belt newtons a fair amount last year during the summer and they were reset and it did not seem to make a lot difference, bike still was a lot smother than even when it was new. I should also add I went from many balancing weights on my front tire to nearly none, the back tire still has two strips about ten inches long.

 

[Chupaca]

Wow..!!

that's allot of weights on that rear wheel. I would suspect any remaining vibration there especially if it's in your seat...!!:dontknow:

 

[gnirtsnod]

I have the same issue - when i'm doing around 73-75 mph and around 5000 rpm there is a harmonic vibration

I've had the same issue with my 2012 RT-S at speeds in the same range. I alway felt (and continue to do so) that I was dealing with a harmonic and so long as I was rolling through it, I would be okay. Can harmonics be bad? Heck yeah. Watch this example of harmonics to the extreme...