Vibrations?

Do you guys feel vibration or buzzing in the handlebars and foot pegs around 4k rpms?
Normal?

I guess that depends how severe are the vibrations you experience, given the displacement of the engine and the amount of cylinders, you can't expect it to be calm as R6, you know ;-) However, a lot of ppl have all kind of trouble with their new R3s, me included. So as I said, it depends. Can you describe it more thoroughly or record it somehow?

Mine's been at the shop so long I forgot how it sounds.

stingray said:

Mine's been at the shop so long I forgot how it sounds.

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Do you have a Singer Sewing machine and a megaphone?

You guys make me laugh.
It's not "terrible," I would describe it as a buzz in the bars enough for me to notice. Maybe enough to be slightly uncomfortable at 3800 rpms or more.
Same with the foot pegs. Mostly my right one but it may be because the ankle was just rebuilt due to some a hole in a Prius turning out in front of me on my last bike...An Indian Springfield with a bunch of custom pieces and a big bore kit, may she rest in piece.
This bike replaced that one.
Def feel a slight buzz through the bars and pegs. If I bought a Touring bike and planned to go cross state/country, yeah I would be peeved.
My other bike is a Gen 2 Ducati Carbon with Termi exhaust and it doesnt buzz.
I would figure with the Rocket's giant engine it wouldn't buzz at relatively midrange rpms.
Not a big deal, not ragging on the bike, Im just asking if its normal and it sounds like it is.

Oh, I bought the bike and it has a year of extended warranty left but everything seems fine so far.

I'm definitely not a professional mechanic, but i've been amongst the oil and the spanners long enough to have the view that it can be pretty much impossible to pinpoint the cause of something like what you're describing on paper.

You have to be there and experience it first hand, and even then, it's not a given that an accurate cause can be diagnosed without trial and error via a test ride or two.

How many things could it be, right?

Engine side: Engine running lean at a certain throttle opening came to mind. A tank of slightly stale fuel perhaps? Dodgy spark plug maybe?
Heck, even just something slightly loose close to the handlebars could give that sensation, but then again, if you're in gear and moving, it could be whole stack of other causes.

Gearbox/drivetrain : Possibly, but I think unlikely due to the frequency you're describing. Would tend to be a lower frequency and it would probably get more pronounced as you speeded up.

Other potential causes: Sometimes tyres can give a different vibe at certain speeds etc....

What's your gut tell you?

I would say the R3 does buzz a bit but not enough to negatively impact my enjoyment of the bike.

Jagster said:

I'm definitely not a professional mechanic, but i've been amongst the oil and the spanners long enough to have the view that it can be pretty much impossible to pinpoint the cause of something like what you're describing on paper.

You have to be there and experience it first hand, and even then, it's not a given that an accurate cause can be diagnosed without trial and error via a test ride or two.

How many things could it be, right?

Engine side: Engine running lean at a certain throttle opening came to mind. A tank of slightly stale fuel perhaps? Dodgy spark plug maybe?
Heck, even just something slightly loose close to the handlebars could give that sensation, but then again, if you're in gear and moving, it could be whole stack of other causes.

Gearbox/drivetrain : Possibly, but I think unlikely due to the frequency you're describing. Would tend to be a lower frequency and it would probably get more pronounced as you speeded up.

Other potential causes: Sometimes tyres can give a different vibe at certain speeds etc....

What's your gut tell you?

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My gut tells me its just the bike.
I wouldn't call what I feel as vibration per se, but a bit buzzy.
Nothing I would associate with any engine troubles but thought I would get some other owners feed back.
Strange because of the thousand reviews Ive watched on YouTube no one has mentioned it. Most reviewers are so busy just gushing over whatever it is they're riding or driving, I get that.
I may be noticing that more than others, IDK but maybe because I've owned some very smooth bikes.

Dr.D said:

I would say the R3 does buzz a bit but not enough to negatively impact my enjoyment of the bike.

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Did you ever ride the bike long distances? Like at least a few hundred miles just stopping for gas?
That little bit of buzziness will probably impact your enjoyment.
Granted, im sure an R3 wouldn't be your first choice for long distance riding, just sayin.

I have also noticed the 4K buzzing, especially in the beginning of a new riding season, I live in southern Finland (5-6 months of), but it’s a minor thing and I don’t even notice it after some km:s.

As for the touring on a Rocket 3 GT I think the bike is not perhaps perfect but in my opinion a good touring bike.

I have 39 000km (24 000 miles) on the clock and I have made 4-5 trips to the northern Finland and Norway, the last trip last August to Norway with a longest day-trip of 1 060 km:s(660 miles). I have looked at other more touring suitable bikes but always been a little disappointed not in the power but the missing torque which is just “addictive” on the Rocket especially when overtaking “safety cars”.

So, no issues? Well, one unusual fault => a broken shaft seal, (missing 5mm:s piece) and the rear brake has been bleed 5 times which seems to be quite common on 2020 Rockets (perhaps the rear brake reservoir is to close the exhaust pipes) and the fuel tank could be 4-5 liters bigger.

Attached a picture of my bike to show what I have added to make it more “tour-able”, a Secdem screen, MRA spoiler, “chinese” wind deflectors, “home made leg wind deflectors” and Powerbronze hand guards, hugger and a mudguard extender. I also have tested the Powerblade screen but I have liked the Secdem “bubble” more.