Vibration at Handlebars at above 4.5k rpm - R1100R

[civicblade]

Is it normal for vibrations to be very noticeable at the handlebars when the engine rpm rises above 4.5k?

At 3-4.4k rpm, the response from the engine and the vibrations from the handlebars can be described as enjoyable. Smooth and soft twin boxer power pulses.

As soon as the revs builds up to more than 4.5k, the vibrations at the handlebars amplified by a lot. Not really to the nuisance of numbing the arms and fingers.. but somehow slightly annoying. Strange to say that the vibrations stops at the handlebars. The footpegs does not vibrate, neither do the fuel tank, only the handlebars.

Is this normal? Mine's a 96R1100R.

Thanks.

[hendrix89]

mind does that too.....just changed the tires and got the tires balanced...still there

[civicblade]

I've just changed my old and out of shaped MEZ4 to a new MEZ6 for the front.

Handling is way better with the new tyre.

[Arbee]

Valve clearances & throttle body synch will change your opinion on vibration,
boxers require regular tuning due to the air cooled nature of the bikes...

[civicblade]

Hi Arbee,

So the vibrations that I had felt through the handle bars were abnormal, right?

Thanks,

[babulin2002]

well, if the vibrations are correlated with the rpm and not velocity then i would say it's engine vibrations - hence as stated by Arbee you most probably need the valve clearance adjustment and the throttle body sync. i had similar problem just now and did the valves and throttle sync and it is much better, although still not perfect, can still feel the vibrations in handlebars, although by higher revs than before,
so i will be doing the throttle sync again. good luck!

[civicblade]

It is strange that engine vibrations is only felt at the handle bar grips and not anywhere else?

trying to find a suitable vacuum gauge to do a proper throttle bodies synchronisation.

well, if the vibrations are correlated with the rpm and not velocity then i would say it's engine vibrations - hence as stated by Arbee you most probably need the valve clearance adjustment and the throttle body sync. i had similar problem just now and did the valves and throttle sync and it is much better, although still not perfect, can still feel the vibrations in handlebars, although by higher revs than before,
so i will be doing the throttle sync again. good luck!

[Arbee]

There is a good reason you have rubber covered / padded foot pegs... so you dont feel the vibration...

Boxers due to the horizontally opposed design will vibrate significantly if out of tune
unlike a japanese in-line four which pistons are running in harmony not opposed to one another.

If you want to eradicate vibration you will need to go Honda Blackbird, Suzuki Bandit...

[civicblade]

I've attempted to perform throttle bodies synchronization with 2 industrial vacuum gauges rating up to 1bar vacuum. I'm not able to get good readings as the gauges were not damped and the needles keeps floating around.

Anyway, the ride after synchronisation was much better. The Vibrations at 5k and above was still there, but it does not feel like the bike is falling part kind of vibration, just power pulses vibrations.

[The Meromorph]

I found this on my new-to-me R1100R. It was enough to be significantly annoying.
I replaced the stock weights with these:

http://www.manicsalamander.com/bar_end_weight.htm

And the problem went completely away. Now I just get the (very mild) 'Boxer Buzz' at all revs.

[webmost]

Meromorph

Which of the bar end weights on that page did you buy?

[The Meromorph]

8 mm Bolt-on for BMW - see Compatibility List
2 finishes available: stainless steel, gloss black powdercoat

Stainless Steel finish
8 mm Bolt-on in Stainless Steel
$ 54.99 /pair

They weigh 18.5 ounces versus the stock 8.5 ounces. They change the resonant frequency of the handlebars, moving it up beyond the rev-limiter. The difference was dramatic and immediate.