S10 Owners, Feeling the Vibes?

[vnp514]

Normal-as expected. I had a SS1200-the TEN is a bit smoother.

Pete

 

[jajpko]

I call it smooth other than the low RPM at certain throttle openings. At cruise at any speed it's smooth. I have a 1800 Goldwing to compare and no you can't compare to the wing, but pretty darn smooth. I rode a 1979 KZ1000MKII Kawasaki 21,000 miles in 26 days on two USA 4 corners tours and it vibrated enough to oval out the rear passenger peg pivots to near double their original size in that time, and before that a 1982 GPZ1100 Kawasaki that did 24,000 miles in a little over a year. These were not your glass smooth bikes. Also have an old Kawasaki H2 triple from 1974. Talk about vibration! My gosh. I hope you guys that have a problem get something else that suits you better. I'm used to old stuff that vibrate, but also used to the GL1800 and will say the tenere is smooth. Look in your mirrors. Are they buzzing and bouncing where you can't tell a semi truck from a pinto behind you? Yes, I'd say you have a definate problem. No, I'd say there is no problem and you are just more sensitive than the bike was designed to accomodate in comfort.

On the throttle or cruising, my mirrors look like someone smeared Vaseline on them.

 

[colorider]

It would be good if some of the people that say they have a vibration problem could get together with those that say they don't and do a bike exchange/test ride. I have what I consider "normal" vibrations for an inline twin. I have a bit more vibration in my left mirror than my right, but not excessive. I just got back from a 2k ride to TX and the only time I really felt any tingling was during a cold weather run when I was gripping my heated grips tighter than normal.

Good luck to any/all that have feel they have a vibration problem. Again, I feel the SuperT is normal and this is based on previous bikes and coming off a KLR and a FJR most recently.

Rod

 

[s-flow]

Had real problems with high frequency vibrations in the 4000-5000 rpm range, lower or higher then that was nice and smooth. The vibes was really
uncomfortable and the mirrors went useless at those rpm's.

I then started to try out things:

- placed some rubber at the bar mounts, it didn't help.
- got an Akrapovic slip-on, made a difference. Narrowed the problem band to 4250-4750 rpm and smoothened the vibes a bit.
- re-torqued the bolts related to the front, wheelnut, handlebar bolts, upper bracket bolts, bar end weight bolts, engine bracket bolts,
handguard bolts and whatever I could find. All to the exact specs. This helped, it became smoother.
- got me a pair of grip puppies, they didn't work for the high frequency vibrations but elsewhere in the rpm range they softened the feeling too much really.
- bought a pair of 1200GS bar end weights that is heavier from stock, to excange weights didnt made a difference for the better. To mount the weight as
an addition outside the handguards made the vibes go higher in frequency but at lower strength, the result was bad as it felt buzzier.
- at last service 10000km synthetic oil and trottlebody sync made it it smoothen out a bit more.
- pro-grips pillowtop grips had a positive effect (after those I was finally happy with the bikes vibrations)

Now I have equipped heated grips and its exactly on the edge of beeing buzzy sometimes, most days its fine though.
I will in the future switch the entire handlebar and also get a custom tune for my PCV, thats what is left to do.
The bike overall is such an fantastic bike so those vibrations will not make me let it go.

I am indeed sensitive to vibes as I have owned the mentioned ST1300 and a Kawasaki ZZR1400 recently and both had some vibrations issues. :

I recommend akra-slipon (maybe any slip-on?), different grips, re-torquing bolts primary, these helped for me

The extremely long break-in is to concider, my bike going smoother by the miles still.. at 12000km!

 

[elizilla]

I only notice vibes when I'm carrying three cases full of camping gear and going up steep grades on the interstate in top gear. Downshift and the vibes go away. I think it's the motor lugging slightly; it's just geared high enough that the top gear is too high for anything below arrest-me speeds, unless the ground is level.

 

[roy]

Leaning left or right I feel vibes but after being told and doing some research it's a worn rear metzler. ::017::

 

[Tremor38]

On the throttle or cruising, my mirrors look like someone smeared Vaseline on them.

Well I'd say that is pretty telling right there. The mirrors on my S10 are probably the most vibe-free I've ever encountered. I think all who are affected by this need to really press the dealer for a solution or replacment bike. At least make sure it gets beyond the actual dealer so corporate Yamaha can take guage the extent of the problem. It would be cool if someone knew how to contact the dudes in South Africa whom received replacement S10's for the same problem. It's gonna be intesting to see if Yamaha ever comes clean on what's causing this.

 

[markjenn]

I only notice vibes when I'm carrying three cases full of camping gear and going up steep grades on the interstate in top gear. Downshift and the vibes go away. I think it's the motor lugging slightly; it's just geared high enough that the top gear is too high for anything below arrest-me speeds, unless the ground is level.

I think this is a good point. This bike is geared awfully high and like most twins, doesn't like big throttle at low-RPM.

When I picked up my bike with 1 mile on the odometer, I was consciously trying not to exceed the 3900 RPM break-in limit for anything other than brief periods for the first 100 miles or so. To me, it felt like I was lugging the motor almost all the time. Under 3000, the motor was very unhappy and had little power, so working a 900-RPM wide power band was more work than I wanted to do and even 3500 seemed like I was lugging at big throttle openings. I quickly decided to let the engine rev more and ended up doing the first couple hundred miles using up to 4500 or so more or less regularly. Not "by the book" but the engine seemed much happier. I can't imagine religiously staying under 3900 for the first 600 miles.

Now well out of break-in, the engine seems much looser and happier at any RPM, but it still feels like sub-3500 with anything approaching full throttle is lugging to me, with the associated vibes, almost shuddering vibes. I don't use 6th except at freeway speeds. Don't be afraid to use the lower gears.

Having said all this, many of those complaining say their problem is worse at high RPM's, so sounds like a different problem.

- Mark

 

[Hoosier919]

Venture can we get rid of the ridiculous "ride more worry less" tag. That is the first thing people that have nothing to say on a thread jump for.

Now back to the thread...I don't have any issues with the vibration on my bike. Hope the people that do find something that works so they can enjoy the bike.

 

[switchback]

Never noticed an issue. If you want smooth as silk buy an inline 6.

 

[switchback]

The mirrors on my S10 are probably the most vibe-free I've ever encountered.

+10000

 

[Wulfgar]

Bike, mirrors, pegs, whatever....very smooth to me. Admittedly, been riding Harleys and older BMWs the past however many years and the S10 is smoother than any of them. Is no one using Bar Snakes anymore: http://www.barsnake.com/

No personal experience myself but guys back in the day of the heavy vibrators swore by them - either that or lead shot. I will agree that those near some happier S10 owners should stop by and at least swap bikes to check out the differences.

 

[stevemac]

I don't pick up my S10 until next weekend, but I did test ride one and a 12gs immediately afterwards. I rode to the dealer on my Aprilia Capo. All of the bikes vibrated, but in different ways as per their different engine layouts. Of the three the S10 was the smoothest, a surprise as I thought it might be the worst.
I knew what the 12gs was going to be like as I'd had a ride on one before, but years before I brought a new 1150gs and hated it. The vibs from that left me with tingling fingers within 30mins.
I also ride a zx9 and fjr13. The zx has never been a problem and to begin with either was the fjr, but after a while it to started causing tingling fingers. I thought the throttle bodies were out and had them sync'ed and various bits re-tightened, but nothing seemed to work. A while later, months again, I realised I wasn't noticing it anymore and thought it must just be my imagination.
After having another new set of tyres fitted I realised the problem was wheel balancing. This particular set was so bad that at an indicated 100 it was just so uncomfortable you couldn't hold the speed even if you wanted to.
Bringing the wheels back for balancing sorted it out, back to a lovely smooth ride. I rarely bothered having the wheels balanced on my bikes before and never noticed this problem. I wonder if certain bikes are more prone to feeling out of balance wheels than others and if so is the S10 one of them?
I do about 25k a year and go through lots of tyres, but I'll be having the S10 wheels balanced every time now. It'll be interesting to see what 'my' S10 feels like compared to the demo bike.

 

[jajpko]

I don't pick up my S10 until next weekend, but I did test ride one and a 12gs immediately afterwards. I rode to the dealer on my Aprilia Capo. All of the bikes vibrated, but in different ways as per their different engine layouts. Of the three the S10 was the smoothest, a surprise as I thought it might be the worst.
I knew what the 12gs was going to be like as I'd had a ride on one before, but years before I brought a new 1150gs and hated it. The vibs from that left me with tingling fingers within 30mins.
I also ride a zx9 and fjr13. The zx has never been a problem and to begin with either was the fjr, but after a while it to started causing tingling fingers. I thought the throttle bodies were out and had them sync'ed and various bits re-tightened, but nothing seemed to work. A while later, months again, I realised I wasn't noticing it anymore and thought it must just be my imagination.
After having another new set of tyres fitted I realised the problem was wheel balancing. This particular set was so bad that at an indicated 100 it was just so uncomfortable you couldn't hold the speed even if you wanted to.
Bringing the wheels back for balancing sorted it out, back to a lovely smooth ride. I rarely bothered having the wheels balanced on my bikes before and never noticed this problem. I wonder if certain bikes are more prone to feeling out of balance wheels than others and if so is the S10 one of them?
I do about 25k a year and go through lots of tyres, but I'll be having the S10 wheels balanced every time now. It'll be interesting to see what 'my' S10 feels like compared to the demo bike.

I thought about that, but when I pulled the clutch in, the engine rpms dropped and so did the vibes. Also the tires show no signs of being out of balance, nice and smooth with no cupping.

Thanks for the idea..

 

[20valves]

S10 has a nice throb under hard acceleration but smooths out perfectly when cruising at constant throttle. My x-plane R1 is the same, you think it's going to be a paint shaker but then it just goes vibrationless....

 

[Mellow]

Yup, got vibes... didn't notice much at first but now seem to be more noticeable... My ST1300 is glass-smooth so it's a tough comparison...

However, I like the vibes, it's just the 'character' if you will, of the bike. I like the growl and the vibes that go with it. I have to make sure my grip is loose and not firm or my hands will go numb. It's not a deal killer for me, I love getting on the bike.

 

[dastard]

first 200-300 miles it would put my hand to sleep and I was worried I had make a mistake. Since then, no issues. I love this bike

 

[SisuTen]

Venture can we get rid of the ridiculous "ride more worry less" tag. That is the first thing people that have nothing to say on a thread jump for.

::021::

This type of whine is simply irresistible. Sorry you had a bad day Tomorrow will undoubtably be much better when you make up with the wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/SO/boss/coworker/tax man/girl at the window at McDonalds/Dog or whoever. If that's not the case, Welcome to "Walnut Crackers Anonymous" ::025::

Seriously, though and back on topic, my Tenere is essentially vibration-free and the mirrors are flawless. The only possible reason I can think of is because my bike is Black and obviously not only is Black much faster, but also assembled with the attention to detail deserved of a much more collectible and valuable machine.

Paul

 

[snakebitten]

Japako's description of his mirrors tells me his bike and my bike are not comparable. So I'm not so sure it is a personal sensativity issue now. Seriously, my mirrors are clear as a bell at cruise. 5th or 6th gear. (indicated 72-87, depending)

Something isn't right.

 

[SisuTen]

Japako's description of his mirrors tells me his bike and my bike are not comparable. So I'm not so sure it is a personal sensativity issue now. Seriously, my mirrors are clear as a bell at cruise. 5th or 6th gear. (indicated 72-87, depending)

Something isn't right.

Cataracts, maybe?