| Author | Message | ||
     Kato |
When I have my 09 loaded up with gear and a passenger I get a vibration when I go over a bump. I have the preload turned up all the way. It almost feels like the belt is the source. There is only 4500km on the bike. | ||
| Jhallgren |
I get the same thing. This is pretty common. This was brought up a few months ago and a lot of guys are feeling this. I'll see if I can find the original post. | ||
| Jhallgren |
Here ya go http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/587650.html | ||
| 7873jake |
+1 and I only feel it when I'm running 2-up on the bike. Even when I'm packed heavy and leaving solo for distant horizons, it isn't as noticeable, or to be more clear, I 'sense' I feel it but it isn't as pronounced so maybe I'm looking for it/expecting it and so I create a self-fulfilling situation? Either way, and I promise to drink more caffeine before I post again, it is very pronounced when we are both on and going, more so than when I have 100+#'s of gear hangin' off the back. | ||
| Kato |
The suspension does seem on the soft side too when fully loaded (400 lbs). Even with the preload cranked up all the way it feels too spungy. Is there an aftermarket shock that would fix this? | ||
| Jhallgren |
Have you setup the suspension for your weight class? Do you do more two up riding with gear or mostly solo? I would set the bike for what you ride the most. It will make a world of a difference. | ||
| 7873jake |
The suspension has a 'plushness' (hate that word) about it that most other bikes don't but as mentioned above, if you haven't sat down with the manual and set it up for your weight(s), the difference can be night and day, especially when two up. | ||
| Kato |
I guess I should do that. I mostly do two up riding. | ||
| Etennuly |
On the X model it is supposed to be a long softer kind of ride. If it were stiff like a short travel suspended bike it would only be using a small part of its ability. Through a lot of testing for this "problem" I found that when going through a dip in a road, when two up or heavily loaded, that when you feel it max out the available rear travel, the vibration is actually caused by the engine pulses as the engine's rubber mounts are pulled to their limits of travel by the swing arm since it mounts to the transmission which is part of the engine. You can test this yourself by getting up to speed, riding loaded through a dip and feeling the "vibration". Then get it up to a little more speed going at the same dip, pull in the clutch and shut off the engine so that it's crankshaft stops turning before you hit the dip. The "vibration" will not be there. | ||
| Firstbuell |
yes, this exact effect is much more noticeable on tubers, even when riding solo..... | ||
| Swampy |
Not a vibration, but more like a buzz | ||
| Hughlysses |
+1 to what Firstbuell says. One thing I've found is that when riding two-up I need to set the compression damping higher than the factory recommendation. Two-up my wife and I are in the max range listed in the table in the owner's manual. I've found that at the recommended setting, my bike seems to wallow and run wide in tight twisties. The shock pre-load is already maxed out, so that can't be increased. However, jacking up the compression damping from the recommended 0.75 to 0.5 turns makes a significant improvement. The bike doesn't wallow, tracks better, and the vibration over bumps and dips is reduced. I think what's happening is that with insufficient compression damping, the rear shock bottoms out momentarily and THAT causes the increased vibration. I spent the week after Buelltoberfest riding twisties in Georgia, and went back and forth from one-up to two-up suspension adjustments about 3 times. I found that increasing the compression damping consistently improved the handling two-up. It's an easy thing to change; try it and see if you don't notice an improvement. | ||
| 7873jake |
One of the most profound realizations in owning and riding a Uly that has had its suspension set properly for a load is that when its loaded, it doesn't wallow, wag its tail or otherwise reveal that it can't handle a load 'out back'. It keeps its crispness, its surgical precision and its desire to be ridden in a spirited fashion. When you feel it and know it, its tough not to smile...all dang day long. |
