Rattling/Vibration at 4000 RPM

[Andre Raduan]

Hi Everyone,

My R3 accelerates smooth until around 4000 RPM. After that the whole bike rattles/vibrates considerably until close to red line. I'm used to my V-Max that goes smooth from idle to 9000+ red line, so I guess something might be wrong.

Has anybody experienced something similar or that's the way it is pretty much?

Before creating this new topic I searched for a similar problem someone could be experiencing, but seems there is nothing quite like this posted. If there is, please let me know where.

Appreciate any help on this.

 

[Al Carter]

New to the Rocket ??

I noticed that when I got mine.

It's like all the noises too.

They seem to go away, you just won't notice them anymore but will still be there.

Modifications which require a richer fuel map often smooth the top end of the revs out.

My dealer's mechanic, who I didn't buy the bike from, was happy enough when I brought this up years ago when I first got mine. It's a bit of a large agricultural lump, if it was in a car the engine would be rubber mounted.

I had a ride of another Rocket to compare. Some seem to be good and some bad. Mine is a fine now it's got 14000 miles and a richer fuel map for the TORs.

Take it in for a second opinion ?

 

[Andre Raduan]

Yes, never even rode a Rocket before I get it. I just had a V-Max before this bike. Actually still have. (she's my baby! )

I only had myself and a friend of mine that had 10 H-D's riding this bike. I don't believe he would notice that anyway. :?

The bike is now 1900 miles. The feeling I have is that the vibration is getting worse, not better. It bothers me when I get to 4000 rpm range. Definitely you cannot ride at that rpm because you cannot see anything at the mirror, so much it vibrates.

The bike is still under warranty, so maybe I should take it to the dealer for a check.

Few miles after I buy the bike (brand new), I had to return to the dealer because the first gear would not engage unless I keep pressing the shift lever and release the clutch sligtly. The mechanic said it would get better as I ride. At that time, 1 in 10 times I tried it would engage just pressing the shift lever. 1600 miles later, it is like 7 in 10, so definitely got better. If it will get to 10 in 10 I don't know...
Hope he won't say the rattling/vibration will work the same way! :?

 

[owl]

That doesn't sound normal to me, Andre.

I get a few vibes, but nothing that blurs the mirrors or gets on my nerves.

I think you should get that checked, and don't be fobbed off with 'They're all like that', or 'It'll go away with time'.

Mine was smooth right out of the box, and still is, 18000 miles later.

 

[Al Carter]

I agree with Owl

Now you posted the full details.

They can be a bit rougher than a Jap bike but not that bad. Mine's never been silky smooth but they do respond to correct setup and even a badly adjusted clutch can cause vibration, I found up to 2500 rpm.

I've had blurred mirrors with rough running but that was when the engine was rough because the TPS was wrong. So there was a problem.

Then there was the morning after the night before blurred vision and slurred speech, on the WW09 run, but that's another story officer.

Don't take any crap from the dealer. Your Rocket should be better than that. Ask to ride their demo bike as a comparison, my dealer was happy to do that.

The clutch will do that if they haven't adjusted it correctly, it's dragging. You could try a turn or 2 out on the bar adjuster.

It sounds like they aren't experts.

 

[Trirocket3]

It's not the clutch

 

[redrocket]

Mine vibrates a little at 3000 and more at 4000 but it's the beauty of the beast. :wink: If yours vibrates alot, you're getting good advice here. Demo another bike. I did notice an improvement in mine after a recent TPS adjustment.

 

[Andre Raduan]

Riding their demo bike is a great idea! Also Triumph's Demo Truck will stop by this dealer next month, so I would have a chance to ride another bike in case they come with some excuse about their (dealer's) demo.

This dealer was recommended by a friend that has been riding all kinds of bikes for 40+ years and likes their service dept a lot. It's kinda hard to argue if one does not know the bike well and they say "it will go away". Actually the 1st shift really got better over time, but in the other hand dealers are known for using this excuse when the bike is under warranty, so...

But thanks guys! I will talk to them about the problem, will try to ride their demo and will come back to post the results!

 

[redrocket]

Riding their demo bike is a great idea! Also Triumph's Demo Truck will stop by this dealer next month, so I would have a chance to ride another bike in case they come with some excuse about their (dealer's) demo.

This dealer was recommended by a friend that has been riding all kinds of bikes for 40+ years and likes their service dept a lot. It's kinda hard to argue if one does not know the bike well and they say "it will go away". Actually the 1st shift really got better over time, but in the other hand dealers are known for using this excuse when the bike is under warranty, so...

But thanks guys! I will talk to them about the problem, will try to ride their demo and will come back to post the results!

Mine doesn't go into 1st good unless I rev her up slightly. If I don't she will jump out during a little torque. So I got used to it and it's OK

 

[Andre Raduan]

That's exactly what mine does sometimes, much less now than before. The neutral light goes off. You accelerate and the gear slips out. Imagine that in the traffic light!