Hi guys,
Been riding for 40+ years and never owned a new bike. Went down to my stealer with my 02 1100 Classic and he traded out my bike plus 6500 for new R*. Have followed the ISRA for years and wanted a bigger motor that would keep up with my HD buddies and didn't want to spend the money on HD.. This was suppose to be my dream bike. It vibrated from day one and only got worse when I put on the Yammie windshield and lowers. It is stock except for the stage 1 mod. This thing vibrates worse than any newer Harley I rode. At 1800 to 2200 rpm it is embarassing and at cruising speed, 70 to 80 mph the vibration is running thru my hands and feet. Doesn't look like this will be a highway bike to me now I got payments on a big rattler. I was in love with Yamaha because of the quality of my Classic, it was smooth and trouble free. Now I feel like I am stuck with a lemon. I was told that Yamaha deliberately left the counterbalancing out of it for a "Big Engine Feel". Anyone else hear that? Anyway, any help to smooth this out would be greatly appreciated. My stealer-dealer is of no help and said that the vibration and lack of smoothness was characteristic of the Road Star, in other words, no help as usual.

dpbailey wrote:
My stealer-dealer is of no help and said that the vibration and lack of smoothness was characteristic of the Road Star, in other words, no help as usual.

DP and all with vibration problems--

This is an absolute and total crock of shit! I have been riding for 27 years...I have ridden everything from a Suzuki GS550E through the 05 RSS I currently own...including a 1973 Harley FXE; 1982 Suzuki GS1100E (still own); 2001 Road King, 2002 Heritage Softtail and a 2003 Heritage Softtail...there is nothing normal about heavy vibration; my 05 is vibration free save for "normal" vibration. Some vibration is inherent in the big VTwins...but teeth chattering vibration as described by one poster here is a sign of HUGE problems IMHO...let one of your buddies ride the bike and see if he/she feels the same level of vibration just to be sure you are not overly sensitive to the 1700 feel (not being critical just trying to set this up right for you; don't say one way or the other about the vibration just ask them to check it out and see if it feels right)...if your buddy feels the heavy vibration take it to Yamaha and DEMAND that a District Supervisor be brought in to consult on this problem...make it clear you have friends with the same bike that does not vibrate and that doing nothing and palatiative nonsense will not work. If they refuse, or the District Supervisor will not help, then find a good attorney and file a suit under the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act Be prepared to have your own mechanic act as an expert witness to testify why there is a heavy vibration...there HAS to be an explanation!

I have been practicing law since 1979 and can tell you this garbage is not going to pass muster with any fair minded Court! Yeah, it will be a pain in the ass...but the threat of the suit, even a possible class action, might get these jokers off their duffs and get this problem resolved!

Regards, Ted

Post edited by: TMK, at: 2005/10/30 01:22<br><br>Post edited by: TMK, at: 2005/10/30 01:33

DP...

I am really sorry about your new Roadie. It sounds like yoour dealer is full of crap to me also. Is there another dealer you can take it to that will help you out? Spending that kind of cash and getting the response you did would prompt me to call Yamaha direct. I have an '05 Midnight Roadstar Silverado with some improvements and it runs smooth as glass at lower speeds as well as at higher speeds (70 - 85 - 90). You need to get this rectified and you WILL have your dream bike.

Keep the faith brother.

I also have a 05 midnight star, it will shudder a little bit at idle, but as soon as I put a little throttle to it smooths right out... If I let go of a handlebar at speed, it will shake, but as soon as I place my hand on it the shaking goes away. At highway speeds, she's as smooth as a piece of glass... I also agree on trying a different dealer, especially if they are giving you crap.. ~D

Same with my '05. Everything shakes a little at idle. Especially the rear fender!As soon as you get moving it is very smooth.

Regards
Rick

Thanks Guys, been a lot of help just knowing yer there. This morning I am going out and put felt bumbers on the wings of my lowers where they clatter against their brackets. Now I know that something ain't right and I am going to bug my Yammie dealer until I get it fixed. Oh yeah, and I am gonna start with telling them to check the intake from the manifold out. Anyhoo, lotsa good ideas from y'all and I will check down on all the suggestions until its fixed. Will keep you posted. Thanks again.
dpb

Originally, when I first purchased my Road*, it behaved like it was gasping for air at times. I have since put on some aftermarket pipes (I got HardKrome 3&quot; Big Straights), a Baron's BAK and had the manifold ported and polished. She run's like a dream now and I am very happy with it. Best of luck to you.

I got a question how did you get a rubber manifold polished?

Not unless you bought a after market manifold that was metal.

Wildrat

Wildrat,

You can just use black shoe polish and it buffs up real shiney.

Just funnin'

I believe he's talking about the inside.

Doc

Inside of mine is rubber too.

You know you would have thought they could have specs a little cloaer on that manifold.

Wildrat