Vibration

[kpmurphy]

Vibration. Say it aint so. I currently own a HD superglide and it is not bad for vibration. Before you stop reading this let me say I have owned a R65, R75, R100 and two K75 with no issue as far as vibration. I dare to ask but is the BMW more tingly than the HD. I was ready to buy a R1200R but not sure now. Advice ?

KP

[mogu83]

I believe the Super glide has a rubber mounted engine, that could have something to do with it. Also the Beemer is putting out almost twice the horses as the Harley from a smaller engine. A little vibration seems like a small price to pay when you flick your right wrist and turn those horses loose. The vibration seems to occur at different RPMs in different bikes (same model) you just have to stay in the sweet zone.
I almost went for a Street Bob instead of the Beemer, I don't know what I was thinking.

[ShinySideUp]

Well I came to the RR from a sweet V4 engine (Honda ST1100) that was smooooth.

My experience was that I noticed boxer vibe at idle and then it fairly well went away with anything above walking speed. For the first few months, I noticed another somewhat vibey range at about 3000 RPM that was fairly narrow, maybe to 3200 RPM.

Now I don't notice any vibration. Sure I still feel the engine at idle, but I have to think about it before I notice it. At no time was the experience objectionable, just noticeable. When I notice it now, I'm reminded that I'm actually riding on a series of explosions inside a machine that actually has a character.

I've never been on a Harley, but I've SEEN their mirrors at a stop light, and the RR isn't ANYTHING like that!

[famousperson]

Your bike is much heavier and has a lot more inertia (more vibration damping) than the R. Unless you get into a range of harmonic resonance with the superglide, it's going to be a smoother ride than the R. I don't notice what little vibration there may be on my R, although, if I pay attention, I can tell there is some. My mirrors are clear up through 5000 rpm, but apparently that is not typical. I suggest you take a test ride or two, so you can tell for yourself if the R is a smooth enough ride for you.

(I came off of an '03 (solid mount) Sportster and let me tell you, compared to that, there is NO vibration on the BMW!)

[Shortpower]

Compared to a HD Dyna Series (including the superglide), there is little or no vibration in a R1200R. I've ridden both bikes extensively. Additionally, Dyna Series bikes' rubber motor mounts must be properly adjusted. If they go out of adjustment, they will fail. This is common and the vibration is horrible. You have to shut down the motor at each stoplight. No such issues with the R1200R. Dyna Series bikes are good looking, though. Just not my thing.

Bill

[MJB]

I have no issues with vibration...

Now the seat is a different issue.
I think we should start a new topic on what after market seat is the best: Sargent (although I do not think they a have a seat for the R to date); Corbin, Rick Mayer.

[deilenberger]

I have no issues with vibration...

Now the seat is a different issue.
I think we should start a new topic on what after market seat is the best: Sargent (although I do not think they a have a seat for the R to date); Corbin, Rick Mayers.

Michael, there have been multiple threads on seats.. and the conclusion is - "what works for you" - which probably won't work for me. Best is a relative term.

To the OP.. having owned an R65 (buzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!) a K75S (hmmmmmmmmmm) I would put the R12R more in the league of a well tuned R100R for vibration. There is a hummmmm in the bike, but it never rises to buzzzz level like my R1150RS did (which drove me off that bike onto the R12R) or the BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ the K100RT had (besides unbearable heat.) Yes - it does make a bit more vibes at idle, but luckily, I don't ride at idle. Other than that - it's buzz free, and shifting at 6-7,000 RPM feels quite natural, where the other buzzzzzz bikes encouraged shifting at a much lower RPM. The counterbalance shaft BMW added to the 1200 engine works.

Take a test ride. Take a check book with you on the test ride.

Good luck!

[Dan-A]

At idle, my Harley bumps, but smoothes out at freeway speeds. I can see more clearly out of the 2000 Road King mirrors at freeway speeds than the R1200R.

That being said, the vibration on the R is not extreme or bothersome, though it would be nice to see the cars behind me more clearly in the mirrors.

[AllanCook]

That being said, the vibration on the R is not extreme or bothersome, though it would be nice to see the cars behind me more clearly in the mirrors.

Me, too. I can never tell if that white car is a cop or not over about 80 mph.

[ShinySideUp]

That being said, the vibration on the R is not extreme or bothersome, though it would be nice to see the cars behind me more clearly in the mirrors.

Me, too. I can never tell if that white car is a cop or not over about 80 mph.

And THAT's why I went with bar-end mirrors. Crystal clear = less tickets!