Handlebar shake on washboard dirt roads

mountainmaxman

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Hey guys, 2012 S10 newbie here, i notice while on dirt roads and hitting washboard, low to moderate speeds the bars almost shake out of my hand. Has anyone come across this before? I am hoping some damping adjustments may help, never had time to play with them yet. Any starting advice would be appreciated. Thanks
 

LostDonkey

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Hi there, welcome to the forum and congrats on the bike. You are going to love it. Are are standing on the pegs with your weight forward when this happens or still in the seat?
 

LostDonkey

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You’ll find that if you stand, the bike is then free to move beneath you and in essence it will behave much better. Leaning slightly forward will also help stop this from happening. If you don’t already have them, fit bar risers as they will make it much easier to stand as well.
 

HeliMark

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Other then the obvious bumping on washboard roads, keeping to the KISS method to start, it sounds like the front damping may not adjusted properly. The owners manual should show you how to adjust, and if you did not get the manual, you can download it from Yamaha for free. Search on this site, and you will find several threads on adjustments.

One thing about washboard roads, if you are going up a hill, or on one for extended time, turn off the TCS. The TCS keeps trying to "fix" the wheel spin in between the bumps. This causes a "lose" of power, and makes it more interesting. For me, it can make the bike feel more "jerky".
 
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mountainmaxman

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Aug 16, 2019
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Labrador, Canada
You’ll find that if you stand, the bike is then free to move beneath you and in essence it will behave much better. Leaning slightly forward will also help stop this from happening. If you don’t already have them, fit bar risers as they will make it much easier to stand as well.
Is fit the brand name? i was going to get some risers as i am hunched over while standing.
 

mountainmaxman

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Joined
Aug 16, 2019
Messages
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Location
Labrador, Canada
Other then the obvious bumping on washboard roads, keeping to the KISS method to start, it sounds like the front damping may not adjusted properly. The owners manual should show you how to adjust, and if you did not get the manual, you can download it from Yamaha for free. Search on this site, and you will find several threads on adjustments.

One thing about washboard roads, if you are going up a hill, or on one for extended time, turn off the TCS. The TCS keeps trying to "fix" the wheel spin in between the bumps. This causes a "lose" of power, and makes it more interesting. For me, it can make the bike feel more "jerky".
How do you turn TCS off? mine only lets me go from seteting 1 or 2, I don't see an off. And i do not have the manual, will go download it, thanks for the tip
 

elricfate

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Aug 29, 2019
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Ohio
Is fit the brand name? i was going to get some risers as i am hunched over while standing.
He meant add risers like the Rox vibe isolating ones, or similar.

How do you turn TCS off? mine only lets me go from seteting 1 or 2, I don't see an off. And i do not have the manual, will go download it, thanks for the tip
TCS is 2 or 1, but to disable TCS entirely, hold down the selector button until it's off. I think it's three or five seconds?
 

HeliMark

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He meant add risers like the Rox vibe isolating ones, or similar.



TCS is 2 or 1, but to disable TCS entirely, hold down the selector button until it's off. I think it's three or five seconds?
I just hold down until the TCS light comes on. And yes, as long as you have the TCS off, you will have the yellow TCS light on.

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~TABASCO~

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Cycledude

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Sounds like maybe the previous owner has the suspension settings messed up, should be relatively easy to readjust.
 

Don in Lodi

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Sometimes being at the wrong speed will do this. Try speeding up or down.
LOL, I've done washboard at close to 60mph... not on the Tenere though. Did a railroad trestle once in the same way. Scared the chit out of me.
 
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