Tires look fine...not cracks, flat spots and pressure is as per the manual. I cant speak to whether they are balanced or not.
If it is engine vibration...shouldnt it go away if I coast with no power? Havent tried that and it poured all day here today. Maybe get her up to 40 mph or so and let off the throttle, pull in the clutch and see if it gets better?

Any suggestions on tires if I have to go that route?

I'm no expert of course, but it feels like a motor issue to me. The only other bike I have owned was a 2 cycle multi-cylinder and it ran like a sewing machine. Quiet and smooth. This engine just sounds rough to me, but that could be my lack of experience with thumper motors. At any rate, I did notice it got worse as I accelerated when I rode it last.

I'l check for loose bots/hardware and go over the tires closely when the weather breaks.

Thanks again guys.

jcstokes wrote on 05/28/15 at 04:04:59:


Hmmm....I dont see what the front pegs have to do with my mirrors vibrating. Controls are stock at the moment though I plan to get a 4" extension kit soon. The left front peg is bent backward due to a low speed (about 2mph) collision with a John Deere while the bike was parked. The pegs on both sides move of course. I am assuming that this is to help prevent the pegs from snapping off/digging in in the case of a very low peg-dragger turn. They move upward, spring loaded, about 1" of travel.

Looked at the tires this morning and they are the original IRC's. I put the bike up on blocks and carefully inspected the tires for cracks, flat spots, hard spots, bulges or any sign of dry rot. The tires look brand new. 4mm worth of tread depth and still have the little nibs from the tire mold. I also called the woman who sold me the bike and she said she never had any vibration issues, and that the bike was driven at least a couple of miles every season....so it's not like it was sitting under a tarp for close to 2 years in the same exact position.

That being said, the tires ARE old and need to be replaced. I just dont see them as being the culprit here based on the information I have.

[/quote]
Check the engine mounting bolts, there's a set under the tank and a few along the bottom of the frame.  If these are loose (read extremely tight) you'll feel vibes in the footpegs and grip/mirrors. [/quote]
[/quote]

Took the bike in for state inspection today at my local Pep Boys. The guy who did the inspection is also a rider (ninja style crotch-rocket) and I asked him to take the bike around the block and give his opinion. He said it seemed to be running "rough". I had assumed that the bike sounded like that due to it being a single cylinder/4 stroke. We checked all of the engine mounting hardware...all were VERY tight.

The sound of the engine is like a milder version of what the bike sounds like when you are going too slow in 5th gear and try to throttle up. It doesnt bang, or kick, or backfire or anything...it just sounds...I dunno, like it is working too hard. Also noticed today that I get slight variations in RPM's when cruising in high gear....without me moving the throttle. It isnt much......actually hard to notice but it's there. Like it isnt getting a steady flow of fuel or air (checked the filter...its fine).

Anyway, it passed inspection so it's all legal now. Got my drivers learning license and have signed up for a MSC at our local community college. I also took the advice offered here and took the drivers LH peg off, pulled the rubber off and beat it back into a reasonably straight shape...put it back on. Feels MUCH better when shifting.

Thanks for being patient with me guys. I feel like such a nooblet with this bike...it's a completely different animal than the Kawasaki I rode 24 yrs ago.

I'm basically in the same boat. Just got 2003 Savage with 1600 miles on it. Just test drove it, picking it up tomorrow.  Bike will run only with petcock in "PRI". Needs more choke then it should. Looks brand new!
I ordered Raptor petcock from Amazon (~20$) and I plant to use sea foam to clean the carburetor.. Will see if it works. The tires are probably original (how to check the date?), they don't show any kind of damage either.
With 1600 miles but 2003; what should be checked or replaced??
BTW: this is my first post here so go easy on me

Daren:   The tires may look good, but they have been on the bike for 12 years already....  
When I bought my '06 w/39xx miles, I found the carb floats "sticky" from old fuel. I ended up cleaning and rejetting the carb as well as flushing out the tank. (I also cleaned out the air box and replaced the air filter too.)  JOG2 is right about the oil/ filter change.  Try to get the owner's manual too. It will save a good of head scratching.
Good Luck and Enjoy.

Welcome to this forum. It's an invaluable resource that let's me work on my 98 myself.

I just pulled the carb outa mine since I let it sit for a long while without enough stabilized fuel in it. It was no big deal using the instructions and suggestions here. Using the correct Japanese Philips screwdrivers (they really exist- BUY THEM) I pulled it apart, cleaned out the crud that Seafoam never will, and reinstalled. Runs correctly again. Now just like you, I'm off to the DMV for a renewal.

Using the tech section you'll know more about this bike than those guys at Ray Price HD will. The previous owner of mine took it to a local Hawg Shop for oil change and "tune-up" and ended up with an oil filter install problem they had to pay for. If they knew this bike like the owners here do, it never would have happened.

BTW I was in Raleigh/Youngsville Monday. Got lots of in-law family in Wake & Granville Counties.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 05/29/15 at 20:56:05:


Yup-yup-yup....then tightened the cover down....so I'm told....

A little vaseline on the sides of the belt will tell you (temporarily) if it's the belt dragging agains the side of the pulley making the sound.

Also, check the side of the tire to make sure it isn't dragging on a bolt or something under the fender and it only happens when the suspension is compressed in the turn.

Upper and lower belt guards are good sources for noise.  As mentioned, check them to make sure they are tight.

Check the tech section.
There is info about belt tension.
There is info about belt alignment.