Vibration on V-Strom 650?

[Constant Mesh]

A 90 degree V-twin. A lot more vibration than an FJR?

I'm considering downsizing from the FJR and was wondering if the V-Strom vibration is excessive?

 

[RossKean]

A 90 degree V-twin. A lot more vibration than an FJR?
I'm considering downsizing from the FJR and was wondering if the V-Strom vibration is excessive?

I would have to believe there is going to be more vibration; especially when you get the revs up to maintain a decent highway speed. I am also considering a "Wee" but for a different mission than the FJR (no plans to replace the FJR). I will be interested in seeing some of the replies to this.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Because of the motor type, there will be more vibration. Whether that vibration is excessive or not is a decision you have to make. These bikes are EVERYWHERE. Find one and take a test ride or three. Figure out if the vibration is acceptable or if it's going to make you crazy.

 

[SLK50]

A 90 deg twin has perfect primary balance.

One as small as a Wee should have negligible

secondary imbalances resulting in minimal

vibration.

It likely vibrates less than an FJR.

 

[gclarkx]

I have both a 2014 FJR1300A and a 2008 WeeStrom. I've had two other Weestroms too - a 2004 and a 2009 ABS. The 2009 ABS WeeStrom was a great machine. I kept the 2008 and traded-in the 2009 on the FJR. I rode the 2004 and 2009 Weestroms on trips from Columbus to SanFrancisco, Dallas, Jacksonville, Carolinas several times. So, a lot of long distance touring on WeeStroms with a Russell seat. So, to answer your question. The DL650 engine is the sweetest motor ever made! It is smooth at all speeds and pulls strong at anything over 4000 revs. It is a 650 that thinks it is a liter. And it has the low end torque of a twin. I always thought a twin would run rough too. I have no idea how they make this thing so great but it is. The engine vibration is not why I bought the FJR. The WeeStrom has 3 problems for me to use it for long-distance touring:

1- It is being worked really hard at 75mph and above with luggage in the mountains. It can do it but it is being worked hard. The revs are over 6000 all the time which feels very busy. Not buzzy in a way that bothers me but it just feels so stressed that it makes me feel stressed too. At 80mph the gas mileage drops all the way down to 45 mpg. Ok, gas mileage is a positive for sure. Range is great too.

2- Cross winds shove the front wheel across the lane while the rear tracks straight. I've ridden down the road straight while leaned like I'm canyon carving. The FJR doesn't get shoved around like that even with the big fairing.

3- Not enough wind protection and too much buffeting. I could never get rid of buffeting enough for me not to be stressed over many miles. I had madstad bracket and windshield, Schuberth helmet, earplugs etc.

 

[gclarkx]

I thought I'd summarize. Engine vibration is not a consideration regarding a decision to use a WeeStrom for what you've been using an FJR to do before. If you are riding 300+ mile days during a multi-day trip or doing Iron Butt rides, a WeeStrom absolutely is a lousy substitute or replacement for an FJR! If you want a WeeStrom for what it is designed for, then get one. But asking it to then do double duty as an FJR doesn't really work unless it is that single trip that you take once a year for a couple of days. If I just wanted to ride to the Carolinas twice a year and that's it, then the Weestrom works. But that's why I have both bikes - they're both great at what they do.

 

[CHIA]

Very smooth motor on the Wee, had 2 of them and an SV650.....

 

[yamafitter]

I rented a 650 WeeStrom for my Isle of Mann trip last year. Like others have said the motor is pretty smooth. I was running triple digits (mph) and did not notice anything that I would call noticeable vibrations.

 

[chucksklrst]

I own a 09 Wee 650ABS. I have put on close to 39k miles. The bike is exceptionally smooth for a V-twin. Nearly as smooth as my ST1300 I used to have and almost as smooth as my 2014 FJR. The Wee is a wonderful machine, and set up properly, will do any thing the ST1300 or the FJR will do plus more. Maybe not quite as fast but just as exciting. I prefer my Wee in the Colorado twisties over the FJR or my old ST1300. If I was relegated to only one bike at a time, it would be the Wee 650. When the pavement ends and the dirt road continues, I don't even slow down. Just keep on going. PS: The 6 speed tranny is great in the Front Range Canyons, here in Colorado.

 

[Jer]

I have a 2014 Wee and have only noticed tuning fork hands after an hour or so of 80 mph riding, and this has only happened once. It really doesn't bother me because the bike is so much fun and has a great range. I will say that it is not the comfortable bike my FJR is for long distance higher speed riding, because you really get beat up by the wind. I have taken a lot of 200 to 300 mile trips with it this winter and had no problems other than being cold at higher elevations.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

I've got a '04 Wee and a '13 FJR...the Wee is a fantastic bike, and I use it as my daily commuter. The vibes on the WeeStrom are not bad at all (nothing like a 40-50 degree V-twin such as on most cruisers). I've taken it on a couple of longish cruises....while very comfortable and capable, it is not as good as the FJR for higher mileage...but anything less than about 200 miles, no problem. I have a Sargent seat on both my bikes, and I believe the seat is a great match for the Wee, as well as the FJR.

If I could only have one bike, I'd want it to be the FJR, but if forced to keep only the Wee, I'd probably be ok with it. If you are not doing mega mileage, you will probably be ok with it also.

 

[RossKean]

A slight topic shift... Does the stator in the Wee have enough to easily run a set of heated gear (jacket liner and gloves) as well as some decent auxiliary lighting (LED or HID)? No plans to require two-up heated gear. (I had heard that the Wee's charging system was not over powered.)

 

[dcarver]

A slight topic shift... Does the stator in the Wee have enough to easily run a set of heated gear (jacket liner and gloves) as well as some decent auxiliary lighting (LED or HID)? No plans to require two-up heated gear. (I had heard that the Wee's charging system was not over powered.)

400 watts. I run heated jacket, gloves, HID Solteks all night long. With that load, 13.2 vdc showing on Escort 8500. As compared to 2006 FJR, voltage reading is rock solid, indicating a very clean signal. The FJR is a dirty electrical bitch by comparison.

 

[wheatonFJR]

If you are considering downsizing, but still touring...maybe the lighter FZ-9 or FJ-9 with its great 3 cylinder motor would work for you. Light, great motor?

 

[Enn]

I have recently joined the V-strom club. What I read from their forums is that the vibes usually come up when you install the crashbars. They sort of start working as tuningforks and amplify the engine vibes in range 4800-5200 rpm. Many have installed them and later taken off. Otherwise it is claimed to be a real smooth machine.

As for my own experience, I can't tell yet as I just got it before the Christmas and there is still snow out there.