| Author | Message | ||
     Xbeau12s |
When I'm riding 2 up and I hit a smooth bump/transition in the road and the rear suspension flexes I feel a strange vibration. Almost similar to when you get on the throttle. When I stopped I would check my rear bearing. Upon feeling the bearing it does not feel hot or look bad as this was my initial thought. They are the orange ones. 07 X 4500 miles on the Beasty. Or do I need to stiffen up my suspension a little more? I just hope it won't damage anything in the long run and am curious if it's a problem someone else has experienced. | ||
| Hughlysses |
That's normal. I think what's happening is that as the rear suspension is compressed, more vibration is transmitted from the swingarm (which is bolted right to the back of the rubber-mounted engine) to the frame and then to your rear. Nothing to worry about. BTW- this effect is MUCH more noticeable on tube-framed Buells, because all this load is transferred to the frame through the front isolator. The more you load the bike the more the front isolator gets compressed and the more vibration gets transmitted. | ||
| Etennuly |
It is normal on the Uly. I did a bit of research on that and found that between the down forces on the isolators and the belt pulling tighter when two up, hitting a dip in the road will max out the engine isolators. So what you are feeling are the engine pulses, almost as if you had a rigidly mounted engine. | ||
| Balloyd66 |
I've also noticed the extra vibration when 2-up and compressing the rear suspension, and the extra vibration seemed almost continuous when fully loaded 2-up during the Homecoming journey. In fact, my usually clear left mirror had the fuzzy buzz during the whole trip. Most of the vibration seemed to stopped after I kicked the pillion off at her place. So, good to hear it's not too unusual. | ||
| Towpro |
I just turn the rear spring adjuster 4 turns (in or CW) before the wife gets on. (Message edited by towpro on June 22, 2010) | ||
| Xbeau12s |
Thanks for the info! I did notice when I had the suspension set really stiff - like XB12S Lightning stiff there was no vibration at all. All the info you guys are saying makes perfect sense to. The belt, the isolators - good to know it's just nature of the beast! I don't think the wife really minds the vibration. I think she kind of misses the Lightning as it fogged up her helmet a lot more!  | ||
| Motorbike |
My 08 XT does that also. At first I thought I was just imagining it but after a couple rides two-up, I know I am not crazy. My biggest mistake was when I tried to explain to my wife that the bike vibrates a little more when riding two-up due to the extra weight. Maybe I should have worded it differently? Oh well, I don't mind riding solo anyway! | ||
| Skifastbadly |
This is why I love the internet. I had my 17 year old daughter on the back of my Uly a couple of weeks ago. I NEVER ride two up on the Uly, my wife prefers the Softail...anyway, I felt that exact thing on bumps. I thought 'geeze that's strange'. Reading this thread answers the question. Perfect. | ||
| Ronmold |
Same here w/rider, feels like the idler pulley is riding on the inside of the belt. | ||
| Etennuly |
If your passengers are heavy enough  , and the bags are loaded for two , it is possible to shorten the life of the front isolator simply by over taxing it. Uh.....I'm about to order my fifth one at 52,000 miles.....can't blame the mfgrs for me over loading the Uly's weight limit by 200 lbs. | ||
| Griffmeister |
Feel the same thing on the '08XT when 2 up.BTW the '08 manual says to turn the rear preload all the way up for passengers no matter what the weight is.Is it the same for other years? | ||
| Etennuly |
It is for me! '06 X. | ||
| Alchemy |
I don't have a memory of this buzz on my 06 but it is on the 2010. It felt to me like the belt ribs were rubbing on the sprocket ribs when the suspension was near full travel. This is with the rear suspension at max setting for 2 up. I thought it might be related to the new belt or a change in rear wheel characteristics related to the 3 bearings. I guess I can 2 up the 06 for a quick ride to see if the buzz is there also. Both are on the new belt. I guess if it engine vibration then hitting a bump with the clutch pulled and the engine at idle would be different than hitting the bump at normal engine speed. Time for some testing if the weather cooperates. | ||
| Desert_uly |
I have experienced the same type of vibration when riding two up on 08X, couldn't quite describe the problem so I never inquired about it.I was hoping it wasn't a wheel bearing failure.Thanks all for clarification, I will leave the wife at home or try turning the pre-load up next time. | ||
| Ratbuell |
We just ran 2200 miles to Homecoming and back on my '06 - Maryland, through Michigan, through the U.P., to East Troy, through Chicago and back. Basically a lap from Maryland, up and around Lake Michigan, and back. Suspension was set to max GVWR because we were fully loaded (perhaps "just a bit" over GVWR, whoops heheh). Even with the suspension setup for max, we still had the vibe. Weight is weight, and that's what puts the vibes in the isos. Setting up the suspension properly helped some, because it reduced dipping and bottoming out...but it was still there just because we tipped in close to 1,000 lbs (bike, rider, passenger, and five bags worth of crap). | ||
| Etennuly |
The testing is simple really. Find a local dip that makes the vibe happen. Get up to speed with your passenger and load on board. Pull in the clutch and hit the kill switch so that the engine stops turning before you hit the dip. This is how it worked for me. With the clutch in and the engine idling you will still feel it. With the engine off you just feel the dip. | ||
| Ikeman |
I had an '06 and would get the same vibration riding 2-up. It was the seat pan hitting the corner of the rear cylinder valve cover. Had a nice little ground/polished spot on it. | ||
| Skinstains |
I just put a Mike Himmelsbach Penske on my X and it is wwwwwaaaaayyyyy better than stock. I showed him the bike, luggage, and assenger and explained that it is a highway dog as well as an off-roader. He hooked me up with a brand spankin' new custom shock in like a weeks time. I will be sending him the forks to have them hooked up too. The problem with that is I have to take the X off the road and send him the forks. | ||
| Skinstains |
I am also convinced that the belt adds to / causes it's own vibration if it is too taught. Two-up riding is certainly adding tension to the belt. The belt connects the trans sprocket to the back wheel. The back wheel to the swingarm. The swingarm to the shock (wich gets more solid upon compression). The shock to the frame. All these trans & engine vibes are un-checked or muffled by the "engine" isolators. My advise is to put a chain and a Penske on that bad boy and ride the snot out of it. (Message edited by skinstains on June 25, 2010) |
