Normal vibration level in Vrod Engine

15604 Views 70 Replies 32 Participants Last post by sxrxrnr, Aug 25, 2004

sxrxrnr

Discussion Starter · Mar 25, 2004

I just purchased a new 03 Vrod. Have owned a 03 Heritage for past couple of years.

As noted in another thread, I am having a stalling problem that I hope will go away once I have emptied my first tank of fuel and fill with new fuel.

However another issue that I am uncertain how to deal with is the perceived vibration level of this bike verses that of the Heritage. At any engine speed, whether not moving or cruising I feel a quite noticeable vibration thruout the bike and particularily in the hand grips. If cruising say at 50 mph it is as though an automobile has out of balance wheels or driveshaft. If I disengage the clutch all is well and smooth.

I took bike to the shop where I purchased and had 2 different mechanics and one salesman sit on the bike and run to 3000 rpm. Vibration was quite noticeable but they all agree that it is normal. In the Heritage there is some at idle, but at any engine speed is goes completely away and is smooth.

My question is, is this normal? Perhaps the Heritage is so smooth because of the internal balance shaft, which the Vrod does not have.

Max, in another thread suggested that engine should be smooth and if mine is not, that perhaps my plugs could be somewhat fouled. I guess my real problem is that I do not know what is normal and I am being too critical, but again it is a very severe vibration thru my hands via the grips. I suspect that I need to mount another Vrod to see how it feels.

Thanks to all for any help :vrod:

1 - 20 of 71 Posts

brent_walkoviak

· #2 · Mar 25, 2004

If your vrod is stock (no engine mods), then vibration should be next to nothing. I did not see any noticable vibration in mine until I had new cams installed and even then I dont feel it in the handle bars, only in the seat. Something doesnt sound right to me.
Yes, you should ask the dealer to start up one of vrods on the floor and see if you feel the same vibration or not.

just my .02

Christine

· #3 · Mar 25, 2004

I know it's difficult to tell know how another rider experiences stuff but I would say that I get NO vibration as you describe through the grips. Is there any way you can get to have a ride on another V Rod - test ride for example?

I'm going to be hiring a V Rod soon and I'm really looking forward to finding out whether my gears really are noisy and clunky to change or whether what I think is noisy and clunky is in fact normal

Michel

· #4 · Mar 25, 2004

In fact you should not have any vibrations compared to your old bike since the V-Rod is apparently not only rubber mounted but also engine balanced. Believe me I had severe vibrations at low rpm in the 2003 Sportster I purchased early last year. It took one month of tests at 3 HD dealers and at the end the HD Factory to admit that it was not normal. The firs 2 dealers all said that it was normal and it took the third to admit it was not. So I hope you have better luck. Your V-rod should not vibrate at all mine does not, smooth as silk at all rpm and speed.

Michel

sxrxrnr said:
I just purchased a new 03 Vrod. Have owned a 03 Heritage for past couple of years.

As noted in another thread, I am having a stalling problem that I hope will go away once I have emptied my first tank of fuel and fill with new fuel.

However another issue that I am uncertain how to deal with is the perceived vibration level of this bike verses that of the Heritage. At any engine speed, whether not moving or cruising I feel a quite noticeable vibration thruout the bike and particularily in the hand grips. If cruising say at 50 mph it is as though an automobile has out of balance wheels or driveshaft. If I disengage the clutch all is well and smooth.

I took bike to the shop where I purchased and had 2 different mechanics and one salesman sit on the bike and run to 3000 rpm. Vibration was quite noticeable but they all agree that it is normal. In the Heritage there is some at idle, but at any engine speed is goes completely away and is smooth.

My question is, is this normal? Perhaps the Heritage is so smooth because of the internal balance shaft, which the Vrod does not have.

Max, in another thread suggested that engine should be smooth and if mine is not, that perhaps my plugs could be somewhat fouled. I guess my real problem is that I do not know what is normal and I am being too critical, but again it is a very severe vibration thru my hands via the grips. I suspect that I need to mount another Vrod to see how it feels.

Thanks to all for any help :vrod:

sxrxrnr

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 25, 2004

Michel do you remember what the vibration fix was on your Sportster?

Thanks

Michel

· #6 · Mar 25, 2004

You won't like the answer, HD Factory, decided to replace the flywheels and the rest of the guts, thats when I decided to move to another bike and exchanged it for the V-Rod. I would expect that your problem is different and probably one of your rubber mounts or one of the balance components on the engine. Check the service manual for what to look for. I find that HD dealers realy do not want to go the extra mile because on warrantee work they do not get as much for labour and parts then on regular service. I think you will most likely in the end have to find a HD dealer who off the bat will admit there is a problem. Otherwise you will get the usally "its normal" answer. Good luck

Michel

sxrxrnr said:
Michel do you remember what the vibration fix was on your Sportster?

Thanks

Max

· #7 · Mar 25, 2004

sxrxrnr, my guess would be that your excessive stalling and vibration may be related, still sounds like you may have a bad (fuel fouled plug) or even a bad coil.

Max

danafwelch

· #8 · Mar 25, 2004

After 5,200 miles since August, still no vibration on my '03. I think Max is correct in that the stalling and vibration are related and to start with the plugs and coils. I just changed my plugs at 5K and they looked nasty. Next, check the electrical system backwards to the ECM brain. If every connection proves solid, reflash the ECM or install a new one...a known cure by HDI on stalling issues. While at it, check the VIN to see if your bike is subject to the fuel line flange recall. After these efforts, then look for something mechanical like the motor mounts. Hope this helps.

ctvrod

· #9 · Mar 26, 2004

Hi

Do a search on swing arm or ctvrod, there are several threads discussing vibration being related to the swing arm bolt. HD changed the bolt in 04 per my dealer good guys no bull at least no yet.

Wayne

tompn

· #10 · Mar 30, 2004

I get a slight vibration (not in the handlebars) up to about 4000 rpm - then, smoooooth.

Tom

sxrxrnr

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 30, 2004

I went to my dealer today and the salesman who sold me the bike said that it feels normal to him when he did a test drive. I then axed to take out their demo bike.

On acceleration it felt the same as mine(both have a Screaming Eagle Exhaust, the demo had a different belt gear), however at cruise the demo was quite smooth where mine the vibration level is much higher and quite severe and felt thru my hands, feet and butt. If I disengage the clutch at say 40 mph on the demo bike, there is a minor improvement in smoothness, if I do so on my bike there is a very pronounced improvement.

So now here I am with four members of their staff(2 mechanics and 2 salesman)telling me all is normal so I am outnumbered and in their eyes out experienced. I do not suppose that their is a vibration meter that can be attached to the bike for a test ride and the results downloaded to a computer for analyses. It is beyond me why they think that my level is normal unless a short ride and not living with for any period of time does not give them a feeling of annoyance that this has on your psyche. If their new auto's shook like this they would be all over their dealer support system.

I also reported again the stalling of the engine. It happened 3 times today, once on the way to the dealer, and twice on the way home. This was my third visit to them on this problem. Oh did I mention my earliest date that bike can be scheduled for an analyses of my problem is April 21st. They suggested that I leave the bike with them, and perhaps they would find time to "squeeze" it in before then. I suppose warranty repairs do not pay well. I purchased the bike brand new 10 days ago and reported the stalling problem the very next day as it stalled a 1/2 dozen times on the way home(10 miles or so). I elected not to leave the bike sun-bathing there for the next few weeks and rode it home. I will report this on the stalling string also.

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danafwelch

· #12 · Mar 30, 2004

Have you tried the new House of Thunder on the east side of 101 on the frontage road between the Tennant and East Dunne Ave. exits? The owners also own Hollister HD. A few weeks ago, Crash and I stopped by and got to talking with Brad in the service dept. We were very impressed as he is a PHD and went through all the special V-ROD training. They've only been open a short time so their brand new, beautiful service facility may be available to you. I've attached Brad's card for your ready reference. Also, talk to Al Torres and mention my name: Dana F. Welch

They can hook your V-ROD up to their computers and even feed the results to HDI's computers while your bike is running for further diagnostics.

My '03 is now at 5,300 miles and I had the same stalling issue, however, the fuel flange recall seemed to correct it. Also, I found the idle set screw on the muffler side of the engine up between the two fuel injection bodies. After calling a top dealer in AZ, I followed their instructions and turned the screw out 1/4 turn which sets the idle up a touch. I believe this helped solve the stalling problem as much as the fuel flange recall. Please keep us informed.

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sxrxrnr

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 30, 2004

Dana

Thanks for the tip on The House of Thunder. They are quite some way from where I live(Milpitas Hills) but if I can't get no satisfaction from my local HD dealers(bike is under warranty as is new and HD has told me no way will they pay someone outside of their network of dealers for repairs or analyses), I will have to move up the food chain to find help.

I will keep their info for future reference.

Greg687

· #14 · Mar 30, 2004

I noticed an increase in vibration after installing the D&D slipons... It is exactly in sync with the exhaust sound.

TBAG809

· #15 · Mar 30, 2004

I got some vibration increase after installing the SE 16 guage

Roadie

· #16 · Mar 30, 2004

Vibration

I have an 04 with 400 miles. So far I am not feeling this type of vibration.

Roy Rogers

· #17 · Apr 14, 2004

03 vrod vibration issue

My wifes 04 had noticable vibration in the mirrors for the first 400 miles then smooth as glass. I did not notice ANY vibration even when new in my 03 which now has 15,000 miles. Maybe your bike is just tight as hers was in the early miles. R Rogers

KEVINS

· #18 · Apr 28, 2004

I want to add that I have 250 miles on my 100% stock '03 and at 4000rpm I also have a VERY noticable vibration. I can rev it to around 4000rpm in the drivway and you can feel the entire bike vibrate as if something is out of balance in the motor. The more I rev it the more vibration I get. It runs perfectly fine otherwise.

I may have to see a demo bike to compare it..

ks

Sam_A

· #19 · Apr 28, 2004

The Revolution engine is smooth, I think by any standard, except maybe a large car.
One thing to check that hasnt been mentioned is how well the two intake butterflys are syncronized. In otherwords they should both come full closed at exactly the same time, and should open and move the same also. If they wernt rigged correctly it causes a great deal of vibration since one cylinder is doing more work than the other. This could be easily missed, since so many dealers are not experienced with the V.
To check, I would remove the air filter and maybe the stacks and check to see anything obvious. If you cant see a difference, put a finger on both intake butterflys and feel if they move open at the exact same time. Then check very carefully, by feel, that they hit closed at the exact same time. I dont know if your a do it yourselfer, but you can do all that with very little skill or effort. Then you can at least tell the techy what you found.
I learned about this when I rebuilt my 911 engine and went to dual Weber carbs. If they arent synced up perfect it feels like a miss or bad vibration.

Ride on...

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KEVINS

· #20 · Apr 28, 2004

I went to the dealer and there was a customers 03 V there (stock with SE pipes) and it had the same vibration mine did at 4000 rpm although I don't think it was "quite" as bad as mine but I think it's fairly normal and it may me a persons perception of how bad a vibration a bike has. I will keep an eye on it then mention it again to the dealer when it hits 500 miles.

hth's
ks

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