Vibrational Remedies

[danny318]

The last thing I've decided could be better on the bike is the amount of vibrations sent into the handlebars and my hands. It seems to come with the territory of big bore bikes, but I was wondering what people have tried to improve the situation. There are a few obvious ones like the Flex handlebars. Also the Twisted Engineering carbon composite bars. Then all sorts of 'bar ends' type of dampers, bestdualsportbikes makes a neat looking system.

Anyways, what have you tried and how did it work?

 

[Thrasher]

I settled on a different kind of rubber (firmer) and some high tension bolts, but otherwise, I've used this for months and its a good mod.

http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/cheep-handlebar-riser-anti-vibration.38392/

 

[RB7]

A couple other things that have been discussed before may help.: Grip Puppies are sleeves that can be slid over your grips. They add padding to the grip so less vibration should get through to your hands. Also, riding with Franklin "Shok" batting gloves available from sporting goods stores. They have padded palms made to take away the "sting" that a batter experiences when he slams a baseball. They make pretty decent riding gloves I might add. Also, some "waffle grips" claim to transfer less vibration to your hands. You can read about all the various available anti-vibration type grips at web sites such as Motorcyclesuperstore.com, etc.
Each item alone helps a bit. Both together are worth doing. I'd love to try the flexxbars.

 

[danny318]

I just got these and installed them, have not gone for a ride yet. Started the bike though and obviously still feel some vibration in the bars but it might be less, will know more after a ride. Just got the inserts, not the weights. I'll make my own weights at some point

http://bestdualsportbikes.com/dead-ends-anti-vibration/

 

[JonXX]

Pro-Grip gel grips, Countour fat bars and triple-clamp handguard mounts made a world of difference on my SM. The largest "single item" difference for me was the handguards mounted to the triple clamp.

 

[danny318]

Pro-Grip gel grips, Countour fat bars and triple-clamp handguard mounts made a world of difference on my SM. The largest "single item" difference for me was the handguards mounted to the triple clamp.

Cool - do I understand that the bar mounts for handgaurds transmit / increase the vibrations but mounting them to the triple clamps will transmit less? Interesting.

I just ordered a steel rod to make some 'bar end weights'. I think I'll try on just one side first to see if I can tell a difference. I'm skeptical.

 

[268fords]

I recently got some of those risk racing palm protectors for blisters. They seemed to cut the vibration down a lot. Your hands get a little warm, but didn't get tingly. There made from neoprene.

 

[JonXX]

Cool - do I understand that the bar mounts for handgaurds transmit / increase the vibrations but mounting them to the triple clamps will transmit less? Interesting.

I don't know what you understand.

Tying the bar ends to the chassis (triple clamps) via the hand guards helps keep the ends of the bars from flapping like wings.

Two of my bikes have triple-mounted hand guards and aren't buzzy. One has bar mounted guards (I've got the bars jacked up too high for triple mounts) and is noticeably more vibey than the other two.

 

[danny318]

Went for a ride today with the new bar end inserts and they definitely do reduce the intensity of the vibrations. I think there are no vibes at some RPM and the intensity of the vibes at others is reduced, resulting in less arm and hand fatigue. I'm surprised.

I'm going to make some end weights soon and add those and see what they do.

 

[Norcalslowpoke]

I post this everytime I see this issue come up.

Check out vibrantors. http://www.vibranator.com/

Not affiliated blah blah, but they reduced my 510 vibes down at least 25-30%.

best of luck

 

[danny318]

I made up some end weights of 1in diameter steel, about 1 inch long. Definitely reduced the vibrations further. Overall with the bestdualsports 'dead end' inserts + the weights I'm very pleased with the results. Went on a good ride today and very little arm / hand fatigue. I'd say reduced vibrations by 60%

 

[w2ge]

I went with the rubber stopper mod... We shall see... Piece of cake to do, bought rubber stoppers at Lowes, drilled hole and then cut then down a bit in height. Replaced those riser spacers with these.

 

[huskylove]

Man, on all my bikes I do what I can to get rid of any dead weight....not add it on! Brass weights in the bars? Maybe try a carbon fiber wrapped bar that will stiffen it up and reduce flex at the ends. That mixed with rubber mounts?

Or if its that bad have the bars filled with lead

My 511 is one of the worst vibrating small bore bikes I have ever rode. I had a xr600r that vibed hard when taking off but was butter smoothe above that....with solid mount. bars....this te511 shakes the crap out of everything at every rpm...but I am used to it and it doesnt bug me one bit, makes my ducati feel so smoothe after a ride on the TE.

 

[danny318]

Man, on all my bikes I do what I can to get rid of any dead weight....not add it on! Brass weights in the bars? Maybe try a carbon fiber wrapped bar that will stiffen it up and reduce flex at the ends. That mixed with rubber mounts?

Or if its that bad have the bars filled with lead

My 511 is one of the worst vibrating small bore bikes I have ever rode. I had a xr600r that vibed hard when taking off but was butter smoothe above that....with solid mount. bars....this te511 shakes the crap out of everything at every rpm...but I am used to it and it doesnt bug me one bit, makes my ducati feel so smoothe after a ride on the TE.

Yeah, I know about the weight but its worth it. The inserts without the weights hardly weigh anything and do a good job of reducing the vibes. Try them, you wont regret.

 

[Angus]

I've tried most of the anti-vibe remedies and the two I use on all my bikes are Spider M1 MX grips ($17) and Highway Dirt Bikes’ anti-vibration inserts ($40 with tap, tap guide & hand guard screws).

The HDB AV inserts weight just a little over 3 ounces and are, to me, well worth the small weight penalty. They not only do an effective job of dampening vibes they provide a rock-solid means of mounting my hand guards to the bar ends.

On my 310R I run Flexx bars (10 degree endure bend) with the softest comp & rebound elastomers (Blue/Yellow). These also offer significant vibration dampening in addition to Flexx bars' biggest claim to fame, shock absorption.

 

[danny318]

 

[Phaeton]

I fill the bars with clear silicone. Shove it in one side. Squeeze the trigger til it comes out the other side. Seems to work pretty good.

 

[w2ge]

I fill the bars with clear silicone. Shove it in one side. Squeeze the trigger til it comes out the other side. Seems to work pretty good.

Never heard of that fix.. but seems to make sense and wouldn't add much weight... NICE!

I wonder, does it ever totally cure?? If you totally fill it up, no air could get to much of it...

 

[Phaeton]

I think it does. Might take a long time but eventually.

 

[Dangermouse449]

I think it does. Might take a long time but eventually.

Interesting solution, but that'd be like what, a pound (1/2 kg) of silicon in there??