09 SW vibration

Hi, I'm new to the Silver Wing experience, my problem is that i feel a vibration through the fairig at around 2500rpm which gradually gets worse upto around 4500rpm, at which point it transfers into the seat. above and below this range is fine.
I only have 800Km`s on it and it has been there since day one.
Is this normal, or not.......
The dealer had it for a day, and said they had tightened afew fasteners and something on the drivetrain. But i didn`t feel any difference.

derek,

I'm not sure what it could be but did they check the balance of your tires? I know this sounds awfully simple but maybe that has something to do with it. I would also check to see if the parking brake is sticking a bit too and possibly de-glaze the clutch but holding the brake in and reving it up to about 4,000 rpm's for about 4 or 5 seconds. These are the only ideas that I have that may cause something like this.

Hi Jeff, the vibration is from the power train not the tires....it does even when I;m not moving.
I was talking to a local guy who soggested it was the belt vibrating!
Is there any substance to this theory?
Derek

Hi derek,

How many miles do you have on your scooter?

Hi Dennis, Happy Birthday.

The scooter has 800km/500m on it.

I did talk to 2 other guys with the same model, but had a few more miles on them and they both said they did not feel any vibration.
As I said I am new to these big scooters, I previously rode a little 50cc Vespa for 3 years and never had any issues with it.
Also as i said before, this could be a normal characteristic.
Thanks for your interest
Derek

Sence it is so new, I would suggest taking the bike out and ride the beegeebers out of it and do some high speed runs and see if it helps getting it broke-in.

I'm always up for that!
I'll try it, as soon as this lousy weather passes over.

derek,

Welcome to the site and to SilverWing ownership.

There will be some vibration transfered to and exascerbated by the plastic. If the plastic did not have some movement it might likely break. There was little in your vespa because there was little or no fairing on that little scoot.

I am loathe to say it is something that you will have to live with, but that may very well be the case.

I have been buying & riding these rubber band drive scooters for around 20 years now, earlier experience with Vespa Ciao---rubber band drive 50cc moped-smooth.

My take, my 09 bought new shook on test ride, got better with some use, 2,400 miles in a week last week, developed growl on some take offs----took apart yesterday, cleaned some things up and put together. Better today. 6,000 total miles still not real smooth. Also I think 125cc is really about limit for smooth drive take up with this system of belt drives---my 125 Daelim that I had in Korea a couple of years ago was smooth. I had 4 Helix,3 of them had some clutch trouble, one broke belt, some belt slap could be heard in case, they were a smoother than Silverwing. They were ridden 36-50,000 miles each and traded. Reflex I had was smooth---but lady on cell phone ran over it and me at stop sign @22,000 miles.
had new 08 Suzuki 400 Burgman - - not so smooth. Look at clutch set up on Yamaha TMAX---both wet clutch and Salisbury type clutch---much smoother than Silverwing...but I traded my TMAX at 11,000 miles as I forsaw huge maint. costs in future.

I live with the vibs on my Silverwing and see nothing wrong----and remember side by side twins either vibrate or have rocking couple, depending on crank.Smoother would be nicer, but after this is bike/scooter.

John Grinsel

I experienced a fine vibration during the early days of my 09 'Wing'. Wore off after a while. Most scoots have some noise, vibration or rattle.

x

I get a bit but the Grip Puppies seem to have done the trick.
I asked Ed if he gets any vibration on his rubber-band equipped BMW R1150RT.
He gets a bit but that's at around 130MPH.

Derek,

I also have a new 2009, and there is a little bit of vibration. At first I thought it was a problem too, but I had to remind myself that I had just transitioned from a GoldWing GL1800, and they are as smooth as they come. Every twin that I have ever owned (side by side twin) has had some level of vibration. Does it vibrate only while accelerating, or does it do it all the time? If I'm just loafing along at that RPM, there is almost no vibration, but if I accelerate, or climb a steep hill where you are really loading the engine, there is a distinct vibration... more of a growl to me, but it is there on mine.

I have about 1700 miles on mine now, and I really don't notice it any more.

I thank you all for the great advise and suggestions. I now have a 1000km's on it and it has not changed. I will try another scooter, and if thats the way they are then that's that. I will learn to live with it.

Derek

Hi derek,

Before I went out and bought the Silverwing, I rode an old H-D panhead for 20 years. The amount of viberation coming off the old bike was kinda like seating on a split rail fence shooting a 50 cal. machine gun.

I think the Silverwing is smooth as glass.

x

Derek,

Do you know of anyone else in your city (maybe your dealer can refer you to someone) who has a Silverwing who could take yours for a quick ride and see if it feels, sounds, and acts the same as theirs? I've ridden two Silverwings and they both felt identical and the same in the way they feel, sound, and ride so if one had a vibration or something that was wrong, I probably would have felt it. This would be a good way to get the opinion of someone who has a good frame of reference. Good luck and enjoy your Silverwing!

Derek next time we ride together we can trade bikes for a mile or two and then you will know . My buddy had a vibration like that and it was his garage door opener in the rt compartment .Another one had loose plastic over the rad .It is amazing,what these things can cause .

Darrel

x

Just purchased a 08 Silverwing with 10k miles. Runs great, however has a serious vibration starting at about 4000 RPM and thru 5000 RPM, can be felt on the floorboard, in the hand grips and seen in the mirrors. Having owned an 02 and 05, never remember anything like this. My friend has a 09 and he has the same problem. I am thinking possible trans or bearing problem in the trans. Steve

Hi racer, I also have a 2008, I was just wonding if this vibration only happens when the scooter is cold.

The vibration is there hot or cold.

It almost sounds like a tire balance problem.

It is not a tire balance problem, when you are on the throttle and going thru 40 to 50 mph with a load on the engine is when the vibration occurs, let go of the throttle and the vibration stops.

x

I will give that a try. Thanks for the tip.

One more thing you might check is the belt. Check it for wear

buying a 2004 silver wing with 1300 miles, has a bad vibration on take off and when riding everything shacks . Very weak acceleration don't know whats wrong with it also rear wheel spins at 20 mph when idling on center stand . didn't buy yet deciding if its going to be an expensive fix . does anybody have any advice thank you mike

Almost sounds like the variator bolt is lose.

DennisB wrote:

Almost sounds like the variator bolt is lose.

WOULD THAT MAKE THE TIRE SPIN WHEN IDLING

DennisB wrote:

Sence it is so new, I would suggest taking the bike out and ride the beegeebers out of it and do some high speed runs and see if it helps getting it broke-in.

I am not a great mechanic but ......what is a BEEGEEBERS ??????

pancho wrote:

DennisB wrote:

Sence it is so new, I would suggest taking the bike out and ride the beegeebers out of it and do some high speed runs and see if it helps getting it broke-in.

I am not a great mechanic but ......what is a BEEGEEBERS ??????

That is nice talk for ride the *$&&^&^$#@#@ out of it

For what It's worth I also have some slight vibration in the front plastic on
My 2007 with 1100 miles so far . Only really noticable at idle.
I guess it's just something you get used to

Just picked up a 2009 with 3500 miles on it and I am here looking for a solution to the same problem. When I accelerate decently vibrations seems to start at the front and goes through the handlebars. Its enough vibration that I still feel tingling in my hands an hour later. It sometimes is enough vibration to give me a little headache or blurred vision. It does seem to be easier to handle at a higher speed. I commute to work about 30 miles each way and ride about about half of the way on a highway where I am doing about 70 and the other half is stop and go through the city. Really wanted a wing but I really dont like this vibration. Like I said it is enough to almost get me nauseous.

First used bike----hard to know maint history/how ridden,etc.

Spent life slow=Both brakes on, run engine up against brakes for 10-15 seconds, burn glaze off clutch shoes. Works for me.

Tires out of balance, try "Ride On" about $15 a wheel---works great for me, also is tire sealant. Saves removing wheels to balance-----besides most bike shops cannot spin balance scooter rear. Also visual check of wheels/tires to see it they are really round.

Engine running right?

Get service manual----pull belt case cover, look at belt, I doubt if chewed up destroyed at very low miles.

Compare with other SilverWings---they are for the most part smooth.

Last what is your previous mc/scooter experience? All else fails try Honda Dealer and hope they have some SilverWing experience. Good Luck.

The vibration is pretty typical of the Silverwing, and large displacement belt drive scooters in general. There is a pretty good chance that your belt is slapping the inside of the aluminum case that covers it. It does not seem to cause any long term problems, but is annoying. My wife's Yamaha Majesty has a similar vibration, particularly under acceleration.

My 2003 spent most of its life with a J Costa variator on it and felt extremely smooth. When I first got it (used, with 3800 miles on it in 2009), I also had the dashboard vibration that came from the belt slapping inside the case.

Earlier this year the J Costa variator had worn so much that I no longer felt like using it. I switched to Dr Pulley Sliders in 24 gram weight. The worst of the vibration is gone, but it was not as smooth as the J Costa variator. I then switched to 21 gram Sliders and it is slightly smoother than the 24 gram weights, but still not as smooth as the J Costa. If the J Costa weren't so expensive, I would probably buy another one.

If you want to remove some of the vibration, try lighter variator weights. The Dr Pulley Sliders in 24 gram were a good blend of lowered vibration, decent gas mileage and performance. I went to the 21 gram Sliders for the increase in performance. Northwest Buggy Parts is where I got mine. For installation, see the Pictorials section.

Better grips can also help. My scoot had Kuryaken grips on it when I got it, and I believe they help.

bigbird wrote:

x

fore some time now I get an x where your response should be.
i respect your answers to our questions and would like to be able to read what you have to say.
So my question is why do I get an X?

If that were my bike I'd take off the belt cover and watch the action when running the bike on the centerstand from idle to 70-80mph indicated. It's best to have the centerstand tied so it can't fold and have the front wheel up against something solid. Just in case.
You could remove the belt and run it too, that might help isolate the source of the vibes. If that still doesn't show up the source it might be worth disassembling the variator enough to see if the weights are all free and moving evenly.

johnd wrote:

So my question is why do I get an X?

Everyone is seeing an X because the poster modified the post and put an X there.

johnd wrote:

bigbird wrote:

x

fore some time now I get an x where your response should be.
i respect your answers to our questions and would like to be able to read what you have to say.
So my question is why do I get an X?

Bigbird, aka Terry, left and set up his own Silver Wing forum. Before he left he removed most of his very informative and constructive posts. Hence why you see an 'x' where he previously posted.

Listen up jimmie, at my age it is great to have something big vibrating between yer legs. Happy riding from bonnie scotland

replacing the variator rollers with Dr Pulley sliders definitely smoothed out my powertrain vibration.

Jesse in Atlanta

Ride it and you will get used to the vibration.

It's cheaper and loads more fun!!!!

I'm new to this forum so please excuse my ignorance. I'm buying a 2012 Silverwing with less than 400 miles on it. I test drove it and found that it vibrates at start up but smoothes out at higher speeds. I read here that this could be caused by the variator and the recommendation is to buy either and expensive ($300+) J. Costa or to exchange the OEM rollers for Dr. Pulley sliders. Before I throw $300+ at the problem I'd like to know whether anyone else has experienced this issue.

So, you've got yourself a scoot that's been sitting, virtually unused, for 3 years. My guess is that the belt may have developed some kinks from sitting on the pulleys so long.

Not that I want to be an alarmist, but there have been a few cases here where SW have been sitting, unloved, in a garage for a couple of years and the belt has shredded after the new owner has taken use of it.

That said, you might want to purchase a new belt to have on-hand if the SHTF. There would be little sense in replacing the variator, if, indeed, a J.Costa is still available, without also replacing the belt. The best bang for the buck is to go with Dr Pulley sliding variator weights.

Search the archives here for a DIY belt change tutorial as well as the many conversations regarding the best places to buy discounted OEM parts as well as information about Dr Pulley sliders.

And, oh yeah. it would be courteous if you went to the Introductions section and, umm, introduced yourself.

Tim

I would hold the front brake tightly and rev the engine to about 4,000 rpms for about 5 seconds and then let up on the throttle. If you are getting the low speed 'sputtering" it could be that the clutch pads are glazed and this will solve that. I would not change out your variator but install Dr Pulley sliders instead, as Tim suggested. But I would also try to put some miles on it just to get it ridden a bit. I had the J. Costa and would not install it again if I had a SWing. It is expensive and the pins only last about 9,000 miles and then you need to replace them. Try 24gr Dr Pulley Sliders instead of the J. Costa.

But try deglazing your clutch pads by revving the bike with the brake on first. You don't have any miles on a 3 year old bike so ride it first for awhile and see if it starts to loosen up.

DennisB wrote:

Sence it is so new, I would suggest taking the bike out and ride the beegeebers out of it and do some high speed runs and see if it helps getting it broke-in.

 Don't know if this will help, but DennisB gets quoted.    FYI  It is better to do your beegeebers runs early in the morning.      


 I don't see any problem with a bike that new with that low mileage. I would think the rollers might need to loosen up if the scoot has been sitting without being ridden.

 
  I don't know what kind of price they were asking, but I saw a new one (2013) listed for $5999 at Al Lambs Honda in Dallas.

Before spending money the first thing I think you should do is give a lot of throttle when taking off then adjust the throttle to the speed you want to ride. Most new riders don't give enough throttle when taking off because it's got a lot more power than what they've been riding and they're hesitant to give a lot of throttle when taking off. With the three Silverwings I've had I've only had the vibration on takeoff when I first started riding one. The solution was giving a lot of throttle when taking off, and never had the vibration again.
new7man would you please click here on this blue link and introduced yourself.  Then you'd get a proper welcome from the forum members.

Naturally my SW also has the usual vibration.  I have tried the foam grips and that did not work for me. Next step i have just  replaced the bar end weights with heavy 17oz ( 500g ) ones.  I have observed when at the dealer's showroom, that all Suzuki scooters and road bikes come with  heavy bar end weights. And I have seen on some member's photos that they have also done it. Dramatically increasing the bar end weights does not eliminate all vibration, but lowers the frequency of it to a point where it does not effect my left hand as much, which always gives me trouble.
(I found the heavy Piaggio end weights to be the cheapest on the market and was lucky to find a new pair for $ 30 from a fellow scooter rider)

If you want to add bar end weights why not install a Throttle Meister throttle lock? They come in different sizes and weights and would serve a dual purpose. I do find it odd that anyone has excessive grip vibration. I've had two SWs, a Burgman 650 and now the BMW C650GT none of which had objectionable vibration at the handlebars or anywhere else. True there's a bit of vibration in the mirrors of these scooters at idle but that's to be expected with a single or twin.