do foam grips kill vibration?

[mrhammer2u]

like many of you I've been struggling with vibration for a while now. Do the foam grips actually work? I recently installed the Fasst vibration inserts but they do not work....still have numbing. I was hoping that adding foam grips in combination with the inserts would help. Not looking forward to caulking or filling with bb's.

Thoughts?

[DiverRay]

I've not had much luck with them. I DO use the "old skool" touring grips. The one that is small at each end but "puffs up" in the middle. They seem to keep the vibration down.

[mrhammer2u]

I was looking at those. Thanks for the input Ray.

Any other suggestions welcome e as well.

And yes,...I have read the anti-vibe thread. Caulk and/or bb's is a last resort. Hoping to hear some success stories with grips.

[mrhammer2u]

Would it be a no no to put a rubber washer, electric tape or the like between the bars and clamps? I figure it would absorb some vibe but not sure about safety aspect?? Don't want the bars rotating on me during a hard stop.....not that these bikes stop on a dime anyway

[DiverRay]

No you do NOT want to do that. IF you like trying to ride with "flexible" bars, then OK, go for it. I'm trying to remember, did you go to clip-on style bars? IF not, then check the engine mount rubbers. You probably have one or two that have broken down, and the engine isn't isolated as it should be.

[MaximPhil]

Hi mrHammer,
I would fix the cause of vibration rather than hide the symptoms.
As Ray suggests perhaps mount rubbers or some where engine is touching the frame ( metal to metal). I once had an annoying vibration and my Carb. guru tuned it away so lots of possibilities just matter of finding it.
Phil

[jetmechmarty]

I agree with Phil. My XS1100 does not vibrate in the bars. Do you have good spark on all four at the right time? Are the valves adjusted within spec? Are the carbs balanced properly? What about the engine mounts?

I like fat grips, but vibration has nothing to do with it.

[natemoen]

Not cheap but these grips are amazing! I will use them on everything till something better comes out!

Kuryakyn ISO Grips

[red bandit]

I used to have numbing at 40 minutes. Changed the front tire and problem solved. The front tire had cupping.

[mrhammer2u]

Thanks all.

I am not going the clip-on route.

I've inspected all the rubber motor mounts and they seem to be fine,..but I'm far from a mechanic. As for everything being tuned, balanced, etc....I think so. I just had the carbs redone and new spark plugs. There's only 26k miles on it. She purrs like a kitten but I know sound is not the only measure.

I don't want to bring her into the mechanic yet because then I'm down for weeks. Trying to mask the problem for now until I can get her in for further inspection.

[mrhammer2u]

Red,
I have new tires ready to be installed. Maybe that's the culprit! Let's hope so. Will come back and let you know.

[LoHo]

There was an old post about filling the middle third of the handle bar tube with shot and sealing the ends with butyl rubber, but I agree, it is probably a tuning or tire issue. I didn't like the foam grips, but put on old school puffy rubber grips and I love them.

[motoman]

Hi mrHammer,
I would fix the cause of vibration rather than hide the symptoms.
As Ray suggests perhaps mount rubbers or some where engine is touching the frame ( metal to metal). I once had an annoying vibration and my Carb. guru tuned it away so lots of possibilities just matter of finding it.
Phil

Definitely agree! When running correctly, these motors are smooth as silk at speed! FWIW, that's coming from a 3+decade owner that also rides the smoothest V-4 built to date......see sig..

[ViperRon]

How you grip the handlebars can have a big effect on numbness . I had a friend who put the handlebars into a death grip and tried to lock his arms at the elbows when ridding. A good gauge is look at your hands and if when gripping your hands turn white in-between the fingers you may be gripping too tight and when ridding you do not need a constant full force pressure on the bars. A firm but relaxed hold on the grips. If you are in a place where the road is slippery or you may encounter a slippery or gravel surface you may need to hold tighter but on normal road conditions a relaxed grip can keep you from being worn out. If you find this is not an issue then look into fixing the cause of vibration mainly tires front forks and motor mounts as others mentioned. Some people also have issues already because of the work they have done in life and there is little that can be done for relief in long term trips. The size of your hands and type of grips can cause issues if you have small hands and put a large puffy grip on it may force you to hold the grip tighter to feel you have control.

[mack]

vibration

can you describe the vibration. Does it only happen at a certain RPM or speed. Does it intensify or diminish in relation to speed or rpm?