Increased Bar Vibration With Bags Off?

[XWinger]

During my last two rides my bike has had a very pronounced bar vibration between 3300-3700 rpm's. Last Sunday it was bad to the point i avoided cruising at those RPM's. My hands were going numb. The only thing different was I had pulled off the side bags. Just for the hell of it I put the bags back on today & no vibs??? Am I losing my mind?? Anyone else ever encounter this?

 

[bluesdog]

What's it like with only one bag?

Seriously, if the vibration is engine related, I doubt if the panniers have anything to do with it. They would alter the aerodynamics, at certain speeds, and that may in turn alter the weight distribution.

Check your tire pressures, and the front for cupping or other damage, and confirm if the vibration is engine rpm or road speed.

If it's engine related, the vibration should manifest when you rev 'er up at standstill.

If it's tires, it should happen at different engine speeds.

One other thing you could check it engine mount bolt torques. Loose engine mounts have been known to affect vibration

 

[kamal]

That is weird!

I see you have a 'superior' '04 Gen1, so I had to try it. Only difference was, I had nowhere to put my helmet when I stopped for coffee.

Out of interest, are your bags empty or crammed full of 'stuff'?

Al.

 

[XWinger]

Thank for the replies. The vibes are engine related,when I pull in the clutch it smoothes out. I changed plugs & performed a TBS which made no difference. Will check engine mount torque next.

I dont have much in the bags just a rainsuit & spare gloves. When I bought this bike 4 years ago it had a bad vib @ 4000rpm. I did the jumper mod & upped the CO settings by 7 & it really smoothed out.

Will mess around with it this weekend.

 

[kamal]

I'll be interested to see what you find.

Mine is, and always has been, turbine smooth from idle to red-line.

Do you have 'no-cut' sliders and/or highway pegs installed?

 

[bluesdog]

Thank for the replies. The vibes are engine related,when I pull in the clutch it smoothes out. I changed plugs & performed a TBS which made no difference. Will check engine mount torque next.I dont have much in the bags just a rainsuit & spare gloves. When I bought this bike 4 years ago it had a bad vib @ 4000rpm. I did the jumper mod & upped the CO settings by 7 & it really smoothed out.

Will mess around with it this weekend.

FYI: Proper engine mount bolt re-torquing should be performed ideally on a warmed up engine. After loosening the bolts, re-torque them in proper sequence using a known accurate torque wrench.

Like all in-line fours, the fjr's engine does have some buzz; more pronounced at certain rpms, usually @ 4000RPM or so. IMO, if there is excessive vibration, such as to cause one or both mirrors to 'blur', or your hands to numb out, something is amiss. The counter-balancing in this engine is typically very good, resulting in a (near-)turbine smoothness, as kamal said.

When you did the TBS, was that the standard procedure, or the 'Unauthorized' one which involves synching the throttle body plates?

 

[gumba]

I very seldom ride with bags. But, when put the bags on it definitely smooths out. Weight by definition will dampen vibration. Have had 1 Gen1 and 2 Gen2's, My Gen1 was smoother then both Gen2's. Went for a ride recently. Got 25 miles out and got to thinking this sob is really smooth only to realize I had been in 4th gear the whole time. The FJ engine likes rpm. You hear people crying for a 6th gear and it makes one wonder WTF.

 

[XWinger]

Good news to report, all vibration is now gone! She is turbine smooth bags on or off!!!! Now the bad news, I have no idea why.

Guessing maybe fuel? Or slightly clogged fuel injector? At the end of last sundays ride I fueled up. When I got home I added a few glugs of Gumout fuel sys/injector cleaner & went out for a short ride to get it through the system before parking the bike for the week. I am not a big believer in fuel sys additives but this time maybe it really did help. Thanks for all the replies guys.

 

[bluesdog]

I can't figure out what the panniers had to do with it.

Regarding injector cleaners: I like to use Yamaha Ring-free in the first tank of the season, and at each oil change interval.

 

[XWinger]

I can't figure out what the panniers had to do with it.

Regarding injector cleaners: I like to use Yamaha Ring-free in the first tank of the season, and at each oil change interval.

What confused me was the vibration only started when I ran without the bags. After the bike sat for a week with the injector cleaner in it I put the bags back on & the vibs were gone. At this point I was convinced it was related to the bags but really couldnt believe it so I pulled them off & realized they had nothing to do with it. Just happy she is running smooth again.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Thank for the replies. The vibes are engine related,when I pull in the clutch it smoothes out. I changed plugs & performed a TBS which made no difference. Will check engine mount torque next.I dont have much in the bags just a rainsuit & spare gloves. When I bought this bike 4 years ago it had a bad vib @ 4000rpm. I did the jumper mod & upped the CO settings by 7 & it really smoothed out.

Will mess around with it this weekend.

Maybe you should have a nearby FJR owner check it out...so you can compare two separate FJRs side by side...