Vibration issues...I know, you've heard it before

[smalls78]

Recent purchase of a well taken care of 2013 S10 with 11k miles on it. This bike is great, except for the vibration issues. I have been riding for many years and I've never experienced the high frequency vibration occurring on these handlebars. This is a huge downfall as everything else about this bike is completely awesome. I have researched on this forum and read many post regarding this issue. These are the remedies I have come up with and will plan on fixing this coming next week. If there are any other remedies, please give me some advice so I don't sell this bike.

1) I have ordered a new clutch basket for the 2014+ models and will do that as a direct replacement.
2) If the clutch basket does not take away the vibrations enough, I will order the Rox Risers anti-vibe risers (currently running regular Rox Pivots).
3) I have a set of Pro Taper Raptors I haven't installed yet, as I'm waiting to see the other options first.

This bike is great, but the buzzing of the handlebars is a no go. Not looking to ride and have my hands feel like I've run the weed whacker all day.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Not that it's specific to higher rev vibe, but have you had the throttle-bodies synchronized yet? Four years old and all that.

 

[smalls78]

Not that it's specific to higher rev vibe, but have you had the throttle-bodies synchronized yet? Four years old and all that.

Nope, but after a quick search...I have some reading to do on this. Thanks Don for the info, I'll report back, but I don't think it's the issue.

 

[2daMax]

not sure if the vibes are form the 3k rpm range but a tb sync (with 1/2 to 3/4 turn out from fully closed for the reference air screw), and with CO adjustments reduces the amount of vibrations.

I've never noticed vibrations on the bars to be so obstrusive, or maybe I'm just lacking in sensitivity on my hands.

 

[Checkswrecks]

While a clutch basket has indeed led to a lot of Gen1 bikes having the shakes, you might be surprised to find how much a throttle body sync help smooth these big twins.

 

[smalls78]

Folks, thanks for the replies. Checking to sync today.

 

[justlookin]

I have a 2017 ES, and on a recent trip noticed it wasn't running as well after I had filled up with canadian no name gas.

When I got home I had about 10000 miles on it. I have a theory about TBs that - there is really no reason that they should ever be altered. With my previous bike I tried to avoid the "quick fix" of messing with the throttle bodies to cure rough running because experience showed the real culprit was usually something else.

The TBs on my S10 had not been adjusted since new (last time I will pay a dealer $400 for a service) so before doing the TB I did the following

Changed the plugs, and cleaned the contact in the stick coil, make sure they are torqued correctly
Changed the air filter (probably unnecessary since to original was in good shape)
Make sure there are no air leaks in the intake path, everything seated properly and clips tight
Put half a can of Seafoam in a nearly empty gas tank, left to overnight and then filled the tank with high quality gas (chevron) in the morning.

After using the tank full of gas I then set the TBs.

My previous bike (a BMW) was bought with 2000 miles on it though it was 6 years old. It ran really badly (vibration at high revs and particularly at altitude) and I changed all sorts of stuff until I finally figured (after nearly 2 years) the fuel injectors were the problem. I sent them away to be cleaned and found one was 85% efficient. With cleaned fuel injectors the bike was transformed. (this bike had only one O2 sensor in the exhaust)

If I was you I would try the above first, and maybe repeat the Seafoam on another tank of gas. If you are still not happy buy a new pair of injectors or get the ones that you have professionally cleaned.

TB adjustment is really only going the make a difference at low revs. The S10 has two O2 sensors so the CPU will compensate if one is slightly out. However if the spray pattern impacted by a blockage then combustion will be impacted. If the bang produced by each cylinder is different vibration is the result. Mechanical balance shafts will not help.

BTW my bike is now running great - very pleased - the Seafoam and high quality gas did the trick. The TB adjustment helped tick over. Best of luck

John

 

[RonH]

Some risers cause vibration. Might try taking them off and giving it a try.

 

[smalls78]

Clutch basket will be arriving tomm and I'll hopefully get this installed this weekend. I was heading out riding today and I noticed that the vibrations are fairly intense from 3200 to 4000 RPMs, primarily on the highway. The buzzing of the handlebars, the side mirrors, and the hand guards was enough to make you not want to touch any of it. Ended my ride and turned back home. Not a happy camper right this moment. It's a Yamaha, it's not supposed to vibrate like that...

 

[scott123007]

Clutch basket will be arriving tomm and I'll hopefully get this installed this weekend. I was heading out riding today and I noticed that the vibrations are fairly intense from 3200 to 4000 RPMs, primarily on the highway. The buzzing of the handlebars, the side mirrors, and the hand guards was enough to make you not want to touch any of it. Ended my ride and turned back home. Not a happy camper right this moment. It's a Yamaha, it's not supposed to vibrate like that...

That's your clutch basket, my friend. Just to confirm, you can find a slight uphill or go against the wind and go about 75-80 mph in top gear. Exert a slight pulling pressure on your clutch lever. Not enough to slip the clutch, but as you pull on the lever slightly, you will feel the vibrations reduce.

 

[Checkswrecks]

That's your clutch basket, my friend. Just to confirm, you can find a slight uphill or go against the wind and go about 75-80 mph in top gear. Exert a slight pulling pressure on your clutch lever. Not enough to slip the clutch, but as you pull on the lever slightly, you will feel the vibrations reduce.

::026::

Forget what I said about the throttle body sync. The range of rpm's is right in the heart of what many others have found the clutch basket to cause.

 

[smalls78]

That's your clutch basket, my friend. Just to confirm, you can find a slight uphill or go against the wind and go about 75-80 mph in top gear. Exert a slight pulling pressure on your clutch lever. Not enough to slip the clutch, but as you pull on the lever slightly, you will feel the vibrations reduce.

You're right! I noticed this exact thing today. This gives me great hope lol. Otherwise, I love this bike.

 

[smalls78]

::026::

Forget what I said about the throttle body sync. The range of rpm's is right in the heart of what many others have found the clutch basket to cause.

Rock on!

 

[EricV]

Clutch basket will be arriving tomm and I'll hopefully get this installed this weekend. I was heading out riding today and I noticed that the vibrations are fairly intense from 3200 to 4000 RPMs, primarily on the highway. The buzzing of the handlebars, the side mirrors, and the hand guards was enough to make you not want to touch any of it. Ended my ride and turned back home. Not a happy camper right this moment. It's a Yamaha, it's not supposed to vibrate like that...

Yes, it's a Yamaha, but it's a Parallel Twin engine, not an inline four. You are simply going to get more vibration than on other engine types. Bigger pistons, longer travel, looooong cam chain and even with the couterbalancer and cross plane 270º firing order, you should expect some vibes as normal. That is not saying that you have to live with it, just that it's normal to a degree. Finding ways to make it tolerable for you is your goal.

Among the things you are trying and have been mentioned, consider trying a set of Grip Puppies too. Many people have commented that this helped some with their vibes. The Pro taper bars might make it worse, so leave that for last, just so you have a fair idea of if it helped, hurt or was about the same, vibe wise.

@justlookin - Perhaps, but w/o checking the TB balance, you don't know how far off it is. And it's certainly not going to hurt anything to have them balanced. O

 

[smalls78]

Yes, it's a Yamaha, but it's a Parallel Twin engine, not an inline four. You are simply going to get more vibration than on other engine types. Bigger pistons, longer travel, looooong cam chain and even with the couterbalancer and cross plane 270º firing order, you should expect some vibes as normal. That is not saying that you have to live with it, just that it's normal to a degree. Finding ways to make it tolerable for you is your goal.

Among the things you are trying and have been mentioned, consider trying a set of Grip Puppies too. Many people have commented that this helped some with their vibes. The Pro taper bars might make it worse, so leave that for last, just so you have a fair idea of if it helped, hurt or was about the same, vibe wise.

@justlookin - Perhaps, but w/o checking the TB balance, you don't know how far off it is. And it's certainly not going to hurt anything to have them balanced. O

Eric, thank you for your replies. You have been more than helpful on several issues. I appreciate the info here. The vibration I experience is not normal. There is no way. I'll report back after I replace the clutch basket. I have ridden, and still ride many bikes, including (in my garage as I type this) a Triumph Thunderbird parallel twin, with some vibration but not like this. I'm betting the clutch basket...[*rolls dice]

 

[EricV]

I do hope the changes improve things enough to make you comfortable. I put over 100k on a 2012 Super Ten, and did the clutch basket swap myself around 80k miles. The rpm range you mention is where the clutch vibes are most noticeable, but it's generally when under load and on much higher mileage bikes, though the general consensus is that it helps at any mileage. I personally didn't notice it until somewhere around 60k miles.

I look forward to reading that you are happy with your bike and the changes were successful. ::008::

 

[smalls78]

Clutch basket completed. All buttoned up. Shifts like butter. Vibration reduction achieved!

Thanks folks

 

[Checkswrecks]

::012::

 

[tomatocity]

Wahoo!!!

 

[Pdrhound]

I did an oil change to 20/50 and it went away