do foam grips kill vibration?

[Bonz]

Sounds like the vibration is the regular bar tingle you get cruising for longer periods. Nothing to suggest it would be otherwise that I can see.

I have the "mushroom" grips on my 80SG. Wanted to try them and they work fine, just would like them to fill my hand better, but no complaints on vibration.

I had the kind DiverRay described on my 80G, I believe they are called "Touring" grips. I like those, with the swell in the middle a la the 80G, fills my large hands well. I have a set of those on my ZRX1200.

When it's all said and done, the best vibration reducer on the SG is a carb sync. Period. Made the most difference of anything. You have to be able to get the carbs set up in the first place, otherwise a sync will be less than effective.

Of all the in-line 4 cyl engines I have owned, the XS is hands down the smoothest by a wide margin, no contest. If it isn't, look to the carb sync.

[jetmechmarty]

When it's all said and done, the best vibration reducer on the SG is a carb sync. Period. Made the most difference of anything. You have to be able to get the carbs set up in the first place, otherwise a sync will be less than effective.

The valves have to be adjusted within spec. After that, I agree completely.

Grips are just a matter of what feels good in your hand. I have long fingers, so I like fat grips.

[TADracer]

If you are tuned right and getting a buzzing at a certain cruising RPM then yes, you can dampen that out with a shot fill. Grips wont kill it. Here is my story.

on my 79 Special I had no buzzing with the buckhorn bars but they killed my back. So I put on a set of Honda bars with about a 9" rise. Experienced no buzzing but because of my tall body they hurt my back also after awhile so I went with a set of K&N bars with only a 2 1/2" rise. Got a buzzing at cruising RPM range but they fit me perfectly. No back pain at all. Took the bars off, plugged one end with a 1" long piece of backer rod, filled them to the other end with #7 shot and plugged that end with backer rod. Bolted them on and buzzing is gone. The shot will change the harmonics of the bar out of the offending RPM range.

Worked for me and I have solid billet grips.

[mrhammer2u]

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?

My tach is down so I don't know the RPM but it seems to be 4th and 5th gear while cruising,....so I guess 50-70mph? It's a buzzing that ends up numbing my right hand after about 30 min or so. I have aluminum (so they say) tracker style bars on now (maybe 1.5-2" rise). I have new steel bars with a 6" rise on the way (not sure which look I'm going for yet). Not sure if longer bars will vibrate more???

I'm having new tires installed next week. Going to pay more for the high speed balance.

[motoman]

The valves have to be adjusted within spec. After that, I agree completely.

Grips are just a matter of what feels good in your hand. I have long fingers, so I like fat grips.

What's on my Venturer.........with a couple packages of extras on shelf that I got off the bay some 7-8yrs. ago. Haven't had to change as of yet... so they seem fairly durable.

[motoman]

My tach is down so I don't know the RPM but it seems to be 4th and 5th gear while cruising,....so I guess 50-70mph? It's a buzzing that ends up numbing my right hand after about 30 min or so. I have aluminum (so they say) tracker style bars on now (maybe 1.5-2" rise). I have new steel bars with a 6" rise on the way (not sure which look I'm going for yet). Not sure if longer bars will vibrate more???

I'm having new tires installed next week. Going to pay more for the high speed balance.

'high speed balance'.....hmmm....must be different than 'low speed balance'.......point being, BS at best, sorry. Buy a bottle of Ride-On, squeeze four ounces of the eight in each tire, air it up, be done with it and never look back......top of that you also got flat protection....saw that demonstrated here locally 4yrs' back. ALL bike shops EVERYWHERE carry it, and is HIGHLY reccomended as a FIRST choice by bike shops AND dealers for balancing.....least those 'worth their salt'.

[mrhammer2u]

'high speed balance'.....hmmm....must be different than 'low speed balance'.......point being, BS at best, sorry. Buy a bottle of Ride-On, squeeze four ounces of the eight in each tire, air it up, be done with it and never look back......top of that you also got flat protection....saw that demonstrated here locally 4yrs' back. ALL bike shops EVERYWHERE carry it, and is HIGHLY reccomended as a FIRST choice by bike shops AND dealers for balancing.....least those 'worth their salt'.

High speed as opposed to a static balance. The latter is not as accurate.

[motoman]

High speed as opposed to a static balance. The latter is not as accurate.

Thanks for clarification......no offense to you intended.

[fredintoon]

Hi MrHammer,
any time I think my XS11 vibrates I take a ride on my XS650 and realize it don't.

[mrhammer2u]

Hi MrHammer,
any time I think my XS11 vibrates I take a ride on my XS650 and realize it don't.

LOL!!!! My friend has a 68 hard tailed triumph bobber that shakes like crazy. He hates when I gripe about my hand being numb or seat being too firm.

[Radioguylogs]

... Buy a bottle of Ride-On, squeeze four ounces of the eight in each tire, air it up, be done with it and never look back......

I have leaky front tires on both 750s after changing them last year. Didn't leak last year, but both started this year.

If I don't find the problem with soapy water, I was contemplating a product like Slime, but I was worried about making a goopy mess that would be a bummer next time the tire was off.

Does Ride-On make a gooey mess inside the tire?

[natemoen]

I have leaky front tires on both 750s after changing them last year. Didn't leak last year, but both started this year.

If I don't find the problem with soapy water, I was contemplating a product like Slime, but I was worried about making a goopy mess that would be a bummer next time the tire was off.

Does Ride-On make a gooey mess inside the tire?

It is water soluble so it rinses off. Slime named their product well, it is just that.

[motoman]

It is water soluble so it rinses off. Slime named their product well, it is just that.

+1......easily wipes or washes out. If rim seating area wasn't polished clean before tire installationradual, that would be the first suspect area for loss of air.
And yes!.....Ride-On IS the most commonly used balancing method(plus flat protection) by majority of bike shops and dealers today. Easily done yourself by putting thru valve stem opening......4oz. of the 8oz. bottle squeezed into each stem opening before inflation.
Most ALL bikes shops/dealers sell it.

[MaximPhil]

I have leaky front tires on both 750s after changing them last year. Didn't leak last year, but both started this year.

If I don't find the problem with soapy water, I was contemplating a product like Slime, but I was worried about making a goopy mess that would be a bummer next time the tire was off.

Does Ride-On make a gooey mess inside the tire?

Hi Mike,
Soapy water should show you where your leak is. The tire seating area of the rim corrodes and lets the air out ALSO check the technician tightened the valve properly ( you can get a valve cap that has the tool) AND soap around the valve stem to rim connection. I had one leak and it took me weeks to find it.
If tightening the nut does not fix it the corrosion under the rubber washer (inside) will have to be cleaned as well.
My front tire is due for a soapy bath as it is loosing air.
Phil

[Radioguylogs]

Thanks to all for you ideas and suggestion and information. Sounds like RideOn is a no-brainer.

... ALSO check the technician tightened the valve properly....

'fraid that would be me.

I did clean the rims with ScotchBrite and lacquer thinner. I have to imagine my problem is the rims are corroding. Strange it didn't happen on either of the back tires (yet). I did all four at the same time.

Haven't got to the soapy water yet. No good excuse except I've been riding.