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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> How real of an issue is vibration?
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Message started by Wild1OR on 08/21/20 at 22:18:20

Title: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by Wild1OR on 08/21/20 at 22:18:20

My buddy is a long time rider and the original owner of a 1977 Honda GL1000 Gold Wing. In conversing with him about seriously considering a Boulevard S40 as my first motorcycle, he steadfastly recommended against a single cylinder engine due to the vibration.

I read that the counterbalance shaft on the LS650 was revised in 1996. How much of a difference did the revision make? Is my buddy thinking of old school thumpers and newer ones are more refined or is it the same?

The most recent thread on the forum regarding vibration, appears to date back to 2009. Is it because the vibration has been improved or are riders simply accepting of it?

Thanks!

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/21/20 at 23:01:36

Every rose has its thorn, man,, They do vibrate, but Ive got arthritis in both hands bad enoough I cant run a gas powered weedeater for more than a coupe of minutes,, so I got an electric,,
But I can ride them.. No special gloves, just Tractor Supply leather work gloves, the thinnest ones I can get, and no aftermarket grips,,
The big thing for me is to control the grip,, No need to choke the handlebars..
Its simple to maintain, one carb,,

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/21/20 at 23:30:12

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 08/22/20 at 04:15:09

For a large thumper, the LS650 is quite smooth, smoother than many vintage parallel twins. It’s not as smooth as my V-twin SV650 or FZ600 (I4), but it is smoother than my DRZ400 which is also a balance-shaft single. Suzuki did a good job on this engine.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by ohiomoto on 08/22/20 at 05:25:07

LOL I don't even notice the vibration on this thing. It's a motorcycle. It's supposed to make a little noise, vibrate a little, and get some wind in your face.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by bobert_FSO on 08/22/20 at 05:34:26

I found vibration not to be a problem, unless maybe you are trying to maintain 70+ mph. The balance shaft really does its job.

Vibration was my '68 BSA 441 Victor.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by Wild1OR on 08/22/20 at 08:53:13

666B66617670040 wrote:

I found vibration not to be a problem, unless maybe you are trying to maintain 70+ mph. The balance shaft really does its job.

Vibration was my '68 BSA 441 Victor.

It looks similar to the current Royal Enfield Classic 500 with its 499cc thumper engine.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by ohiomoto on 08/22/20 at 11:51:24

Yes it does! Good eye.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by Dave on 08/22/20 at 16:28:42

Your first motorcycle is not likely to be your forever motorcycle.

The Savage is a good bike to learn on - it is relatively light weight, easy to maneuver, doesn't have too many gizmos to get you confused. And unlike a lot of smaller "first" motorcycles - this one is big enough that it can keep up with most traffic and maintain highway speeds. It can go a long way when required - several members ride their bikes on long trips.....and currently we have a young woman riding hers on a quest to go to all 48 states!

If you can find a good one at a good price - you really can't go wrong starting out on this bike. If you develop a "Need for Speed"......you will likely start looking for more power.

I have ridden mine on quite a few 300 mile a day rides and never got bothered by the vibration. The balance shaft does a good job - I have never ridden a vintage BSA, or Matchless 500cc single.....but from what I understand they shook something fierce!

But - compared to a Gold Wing......the Savage does vibrate.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by Wild1OR on 08/22/20 at 18:57:14

556E6374656972746F676A75060 wrote:

I intend for my first motorcycle to be a forever bike, in the sense that if I were to someday want a bigger and/or more powerful one, I would keep the first and purchase a second.

I love the look of the matte black 2018-19 models. With 2019 being the final year of the S40, there are some good discounts to be had, that make a new one a viable purchase.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by verslagen1 on 08/22/20 at 21:05:47

My dad said HD's had a real vibration issue... couldn't keep his hands on the handlebars.
And he had a BSA Goldstar.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by Zepp on 08/24/20 at 12:48:52

1F21242C79071A480 wrote:

One feel that its a big thumper perticaly on accelration.
The balance axel does its job.. and they left some feelings, so one know that one ride a bike. :)
Do a lot of accelration frome standing still, then you fell it, but on even revs like crusing there are none.
Im altso hade Honda four in a row, they altso vibrates, all bikes vibrates but in other ways.

It was those old English bikes that vibrated a lot, in a not so comfortable way.
In any case, LS650/S40 is a good cheap beginners bike, sit on one, its small.. not to small for a grown up man.
You dont lose to much money if you buy one low milage and then figure out that you need a Gold Wing or Harley next year!
Its mostly about what kind of riding you do.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by Dennisgb on 08/24/20 at 13:16:05

2B262B2C3B3D490 wrote:

I found vibration not to be a problem, unless maybe you are trying to maintain 70+ mph. The balance shaft really does its job.

Vibration was my '68 BSA 441 Victor.

I had a 441 back in the late 60’s. Loved that bike. Yeah it vibrated. It always felt like it had power to spare tho. Been looking for one to add to my Brit bike collection [ch128512]

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by Mavigogun on 08/25/20 at 13:58:17

Ditto the vibration-at-speed reflection; if you plan to charge the bike for extended periods, do yourself a solid and apply thread lock to most all of the external screws- else you will shed them. Take a gander at my license plate after the last ride:

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by IslandRoad on 08/26/20 at 17:29:29

3E32253A343C34263D530 wrote:

It does vibrate a lot back there. I moved my brake light and turn signals to the end of the rear fender. I mabe a bent-aluminuim mounting bracket for the turn signals. One day, after a ride I found the turn signals hanging by the wires. The bracket had failed. I also lost a licence plate in similar fashion.

I made a new (steel) bracket for the lights and put some large washers on the licence plate screws. It's been fine for months now.

As for vibration in general, I actually like the hum, especially above 100kms/hour. Although aftermarket handlebars (without weights inside them) can vibrate enough to turn my fingers numb and white at that speed.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by jcstokes on 08/26/20 at 17:54:17

I've run a stock S40 for 50000 plus miles, as I've only owned two other bikes in the last 45 odd years, I don't have the experience of others, I did buy an Airhawk seat pad early on, and maybe this helps. My longest day ride was about 400 miles and although I was tired at the end of it, I've never been that concerned with vibration, my bike is a keeper although I could afford bigger faster better, and if it finaly falls to bits I would buy another. As posted earlier consider a reinforcing plate fror you license plate, not much else has come loose on mine.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by IslandRoad on 08/27/20 at 00:16:17

5E5747405B5F5147340 wrote:

I've seen a few guys on here who sold their Savage to "upgrade" ... and they regret it. Maybe we can learn from the experience of others.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by Edub on 08/31/20 at 16:15:29

5C6679747B71477A7471150 wrote:

[quote author=5E5747405B5F5147340 link=1598073500/15#15 date=1598489657]I've run a stock S40 for 50000 plus miles, as I've only owned two other bikes in the last 45 odd years, I don't have the experience of others, I did buy an Airhawk seat pad early on, and maybe this helps. My longest day ride was about 400 miles and although I was tired at the end of it, I've never been that concerned with vibration, my bike is a keeper although I could afford bigger faster better, and if it finaly falls to bits I would buy another. As posted earlier consider a reinforcing plate fror you license plate, not much else has come loose on mine.

I've seen a few guys on here who sold their Savage to "upgrade" ... and they regret it. Maybe we can learn from the experience of others.
[/quote]
Thanks for adding your insight, IslandRoad, much appreciated! This is exactly the kind of information I'm interested in seeing myself. I'm not a beginner like the OP, but your observations are exactly what I'd be looking for if I was in his shoes.

Title: Re: How real of an issue is vibration?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/31/20 at 18:23:52

As for vibration,, I have arthritis in both hands. I hadda ditch the gas weed eater for an electric. Th gloves I wear are just leather, not real heavy, no padding in them,, and by watching how I grip the bars, my hands dont go numb or hurt. But it took practice to develop my grip to accomplish that, early on it wasnt all that pleasant,