| Author |
Message |
    
Dinealone
| | Posted on Monday, August 04, 2008 - 02:39 pm: | 
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Preamble: My bike still only has about 380 miles on it, so it's still breaking in.
Is it normal to get this feeling of riding on knobby tires when riding two up? I only get that rumble when I'm two-up with the wife. Usually as the shock is compressing. Could it be the stretching of the belt? Or is it the engine straining against the frame or something?
-also-
OK, so I usually have a 1-hour commute to work every day. And after about 45 minutes of riding, I can hear the sound of the engine get a little 'blatty' especially under 4k.
This morning though, I removed the large front windshield, which I think would vibrate against the fairing at times creating a tinny ratting sound. I didn't remove it for that reason though. I just like the look and don't like that thing in my face all the time.
But, the blattiness didn't show up this time. In fact, it felt like a much more solidly built bike without the windshield. Could it have been the vibration of the windshield against the fairing? Or is the stock exhaust can just blatty like that anyway? |
Doncasto
| | Posted on Monday, August 04, 2008 - 03:44 pm: |
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I feel the same vibration on my Uly 2-up or heavily luggaged . . .when the shock reacts to bumps/undulations in the road. My intuitive sense is that the suspension is depressing sufficiently to begin stressing the belt. I have "Find an heavier springed after market shock" on my winter to-do list, as adding preload has not remedied this as yet.
Depending on your rider plus passenger weight (I am a svelt 230 lbs without luggage, gear or passengers), you might be able to adjust your suspension to lessen this effect. There is a reasonably understandable explanation in your owner's manual. I am sure there will be other opinions and remedies offered here as well. |
Packrat
| | Posted on Monday, August 04, 2008 - 08:26 pm: |
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I sometimes run a Slipstreamer "Spitfire" shield on my XB12Scg...engine noise and exhaust noise both get louder when the shield is installed. Helmet is noisier when shield is off...altering the airflow changes how much (or how little) you hear. |
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('08 XB12XT) 2-up knobby-tire feel, also blatty engine note.