Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Help!!!!!!!!!!! Rough Riding TBA '08

Anybody else out there having a problem with vibration at hiway speeeds? I'm getting alot of bad vibes in hands,feet and butt. The ride is not what I would call smooth. The first day I rode the bike home from the dealer I could hardly hold onto the bars (100kph). I quickly brought the bike back to the dealer, they discovered that the front tire was "out-of-round". I thought that was the "fix" for the vibration. Today, after riding for about 30km on the expressway, the bike felt better, but still alot of vibration (hand, feet & butt). The engine runs very smooth (just had first service done on it) so I know that's not the problem. Now thinking that maybe the stock suspension is crap and/or rear tire/wheel also has a problem?? Any feed back would be appreciated;

Robert

I'm wondering if the tires have 'flat spots' on them from sitting/storage. If so, they should smooth out after a bit. What tire pressures are you using? 36F/40R is good for the Speeedmaster with OEM Metzlers, not sure what tires are on the America.

Do you feel the vibrations at all speeds or only at highway speeds over 80 or more km/h? If it is flat spots, they would be felt over a greater range of speeds.

Not quite sure what else to suggest.

H.

Check your headset adjustment and make sure the bearings are greased. My bearings were dry, but that was after 30k on an '03. But, that's literally a no cost check/repair if you do it yourself.

Running approx 36/40 and only a problem above 90kph. Will take it back to dealer tomorrow.

Have a look at the tires and insure the dots are lined up with the valve stems and you're not missing the balancing weights.

Thanks, will check the "dots", I do know the rear wheel is without weights. The front wheel has about 8 small square weights on it.

For the best ride both wheels should be balanced so unless that's a 'miracle' rear wheel you'll be getting some hop from there which could easily transfer into the front end.

Thanks Oldroadie, I'll have dealer rebalance both wheels.

I had the same problem with my 08 TBA, but put it down to running in vibration. How after 4000 miles she is running as smooth as silk.
Sláinte
Derek

Thanks for all the comments. The bike is now with the dealer. Hope to hear back this aft or tomorrow morning. Will keep you posted.

Robert

Hello Robert.

I have almost 3 oz on my rear wheel and 1/8 oz on the front with Metzlers on both cast wheels. Smooth as silk. I do get some minor engine vibration at around the 3500 rpm mark that I can almost dial out with Carb balance. No other vibes.

You bike should be as smooth as silk. If the dealer says it is normal, test drive another to see if the vibes are similar.

My front wheel has 5 weights (3 on left, and 2 on right). My rear wheel has 16 weights (8 per side). These are small tape weights put on at the factory with the number '5' on them. Tires are new, as is the bike with Lasertec T on the front and a Marathon 880 on the back.

The red dots line up with the valve stems. I have no idea if there is a vibration issue or not as the bike has been parked since we bought it in October.

What problem would excessive weights be masking?

H.

I concur. The bike should be smooth. I took out a demo 2007 Speedmaster before purchasing ours last fall, and the bike had 250 km on it. My test ride included speeds up to 110 km/h and the bike was VERY smooth.

H.

Oh, no problem. I was just curious. I must admit that having 16 weights on my back wheel is nothing to brag about. Something (tire and/or wheel) is not very well made IMHO to require that much weight. I guess I'll find out in a few short weeks when the bike comes out of storage.

H.

No weights on my rear wheel, perhaps that's whats causing the problem. Will know tomorrow when I pick the bike up from dealer.

Derek - I hope you right and it just needs some run-in. Got bike back from dealer. They rotated the front tire 180 and rebalanced it. Back wheel in balance. Raining alot here (not great for the Olympics) so have not had an opportunity to take it for a spin at highway speeds.

Robert