I know this has been discussed many times before, but I still need more help. I have a used 2014 RT10500 mile Spider. I have a vibration in the whole bike, meaning the wind shield, handle bars, seat, foot pegs at 55 and up. I cant tell if it's coming from the front tires, back tire or belt. I have new tires on the front, ContiProContact, balanced with dina beads still same vibration. I have adjusted the belt tension to 180 with the kricket. The back tire is stock Kenda balanced with dina beads. I've always worked on my bikes so now I'm learning about the spyder. I don't trust the dealer so now I need a little help from the Forum. Thanks, Neil
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Vibration
- Thread starter Neil Rupp
- Start date
Easy Rider
New member
YOu need to do some simple testing.
Get it up to vibrating speed and pull in the clutch to slow the engine to idle (this will be kind of tough if you have an automatic).
If the vibration goes away when the speed is UP but the engine speed is DOWN.......then the engine/transmission is suspect.
The point is to try and eliminate the ENGINE as the cause.
If it is a high frequency vibration, it probably IS the engine......although I would think that is unusual for the new ones.
If you are still under warranty, I think it is rather short sighted to NOT let the dealer check into this.
Edit: I too would suspect the tires/beads first. Tires can be bad in several different ways, not just balance.
Get it up to vibrating speed and pull in the clutch to slow the engine to idle (this will be kind of tough if you have an automatic).
If the vibration goes away when the speed is UP but the engine speed is DOWN.......then the engine/transmission is suspect.
The point is to try and eliminate the ENGINE as the cause.
If it is a high frequency vibration, it probably IS the engine......although I would think that is unusual for the new ones.
If you are still under warranty, I think it is rather short sighted to NOT let the dealer check into this.
Edit: I too would suspect the tires/beads first. Tires can be bad in several different ways, not just balance.
Bob Denman
New member
I think that Joel has given you a good starting point. :thumbup:
After that:
Alignment, tire pressures, belt alignment, belt tension...
Are you sure that the tires are "good" (meaning "are they actually round?"), and you should make sure that you don't have a bent wheel...
Good luck; let us know what you find!
After that:
Alignment, tire pressures, belt alignment, belt tension...
Are you sure that the tires are "good" (meaning "are they actually round?"), and you should make sure that you don't have a bent wheel...
Good luck; let us know what you find!
PMK
Active member
Neil, make a temporary change to look for a change. Super easy, loosen the rear axle, unwind (ccw), both adjuster 1 turn and go test. Do not even be concerned about the tension number, just do not ride like Don Garlits like this.
If the vibration changes, progress is made. You and your wife are not heavy, consider dropping the belt tension to 120 wheel off ground.
If this made no change, ensure the bolt that holds the front pulley on is still tight. Don't go crazy to retorque it, just put a wrench on and ensure it is not loose.
As the others mentioned, could be the DynaBeads, try loosening the belt first, it's easier.
troubleshooting
Ok, I'll loosen the belt and see if that makes a change. If not I'll set it back. Then I think I'll put 25# of air in the front tires and see of that makes a change, then set it back to 18#. If it comes down to the dina beads I'll open the tire and vacuum the beads out and have it spin balanced. I have used the beads for years on several bikes and they worked great. Small steps at a time. Thank you to all. Neil
Ok, I'll loosen the belt and see if that makes a change. If not I'll set it back. Then I think I'll put 25# of air in the front tires and see of that makes a change, then set it back to 18#. If it comes down to the dina beads I'll open the tire and vacuum the beads out and have it spin balanced. I have used the beads for years on several bikes and they worked great. Small steps at a time. Thank you to all. Neil
southjerseyrider
New member
Neil: I use Dyna Beads in my stock 2014 RTL (with OEM tires) and I have no vibration problems. I emailed DynaBeads and they had a recommended oz for front and back (unfortunately I didn't write it down). They answered my email within one day. Have had them in about 3,500 miles so far, no problems.
No change in vibration.
I loosened the belt and no change. I tightened the belt to about 220, no change. I did the changes in tire pressure one tire at a time. Couldn't tell any difference. I see there's a post from a dina bead user with no problem with vibration but I think I'll take it back to the tire shop anyways and have them pull the tires, clean out the beads reinstall the tires and spin balance them and see what happens. I'm open to trying all your ideas. Thanks, Neil
I loosened the belt and no change. I tightened the belt to about 220, no change. I did the changes in tire pressure one tire at a time. Couldn't tell any difference. I see there's a post from a dina bead user with no problem with vibration but I think I'll take it back to the tire shop anyways and have them pull the tires, clean out the beads reinstall the tires and spin balance them and see what happens. I'm open to trying all your ideas. Thanks, Neil
Bob Denman
New member
That's a good start! :clap:
Sometimes a tire won't be fully seated on the rim, and it'll do all sorts of wonky things... :shocked:
Sometimes a tire won't be fully seated on the rim, and it'll do all sorts of wonky things... :shocked:
round Tire
Your right..Tire and rims are good. I had the dina beads removed and the tires spin balanced. The Continental tires took very little weight. One tire took one little square 1/8 oz and the other tire 1 oz verses the Kendas took several OZs per tire. This seemed to take care of the vibration on the front of the bike, like handle bars and windshield shaking. I still have considerable shaking more in the rear now so I think I have been chasing two problems. We'll see as I keep working on it. I do have an appointment at a dealer different from the one I bought it from next Wednesday as I still have factory warranty until August. The selling dealer was no help. Neil
Your right..Tire and rims are good. I had the dina beads removed and the tires spin balanced. The Continental tires took very little weight. One tire took one little square 1/8 oz and the other tire 1 oz verses the Kendas took several OZs per tire. This seemed to take care of the vibration on the front of the bike, like handle bars and windshield shaking. I still have considerable shaking more in the rear now so I think I have been chasing two problems. We'll see as I keep working on it. I do have an appointment at a dealer different from the one I bought it from next Wednesday as I still have factory warranty until August. The selling dealer was no help. Neil
Bob Denman
New member
:clap::congrats:
Small victories DO count! :thumbup:
The best of luck to you during this ongoing process!
Small victories DO count! :thumbup:
The best of luck to you during this ongoing process!
Easy Rider
New member
.
How exactly do you know that ?
They can have a "slipped belt" and be out of true too.
A really good tire mechanic can tell all of that on the balance machine.
Edit: OK guess we are past all of that. Did you take the beads out of the rear too ??
beads
No I have ride-on in the back. I'm in the process right now ordering a Yokohama for the rear.
I had the front tires spin balanced this morning. This helped.. The vibration seems to be more in the back now. It seems to me to be to strong of a vibration to be the belt. besides I've adjusted the belt from 110 up to 220 and there seems to be no difference. So I'm thinking it's the kenda rear tire.
No I have ride-on in the back. I'm in the process right now ordering a Yokohama for the rear.
I had the front tires spin balanced this morning. This helped.. The vibration seems to be more in the back now. It seems to me to be to strong of a vibration to be the belt. besides I've adjusted the belt from 110 up to 220 and there seems to be no difference. So I'm thinking it's the kenda rear tire.
PMK
Active member
Neil, the service bulletin spec is a belt tension from 119 to 164. Rest your tension to 125 and run it there as you sort out the vibration.
The higher numbers you posted here are too much in my opinion and are detrimental to the ride quality and also the output shaft bearing.
I know it can be difficult to easily access, but ensure the front pulley is tight.
I wish you were nearby to allow me a chance to help you with it.
The higher numbers you posted here are too much in my opinion and are detrimental to the ride quality and also the output shaft bearing.
I know it can be difficult to easily access, but ensure the front pulley is tight.
I wish you were nearby to allow me a chance to help you with it.
cognaccruiser
New member
I'm reading these belt tension numbers and they are not fitting with what I believe to be correct. Neil, you have a 2014 RT, is that not correct?
The specs for a 2014 range from 202 to 270 lbs. if I'm not mistaken and that is measured with the rear wheel off the ground. The 998 Spyders have a much lower range.
BajaRon did a very informative thread about this some time ago when Kriket gauges were being discussed.
I'm no expert but if I'm correct this might be part of the problem. I think it is worth checking out.
Gary
The specs for a 2014 range from 202 to 270 lbs. if I'm not mistaken and that is measured with the rear wheel off the ground. The 998 Spyders have a much lower range.
BajaRon did a very informative thread about this some time ago when Kriket gauges were being discussed.
I'm no expert but if I'm correct this might be part of the problem. I think it is worth checking out.
Gary
PMK
Active member
Shocks are in storage currently as spares for ours since I have the same already.
Your other posts may have had a typo. I thought it mentioned you lowered the tension then increased it again.
From pulley tight is good to verify.
You are an experienced rider, but new to the Spyder. Is there any chance your tire pressure gauge is not reading coorectly and the rear tire is over inflated?
Also, when riding, use the air ride and soften the rear suspenion. You will feel the rear settle. Riding solo I get less road vibration set one bar softer than when we ride two up.
Also, do you have flags or things like that, possibly blowing while in motion?
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