VIBRATION - deciding too much; and living with it.

[redbirds_imp]

I think we all perceive vibration differently. To some the vibration of a V twin is just a part of the ride but to others, an intolerable annoyance. For me, the slight vibration of an in-line 4 is hardly felt and not a problem.

[the Ferret]

I must say my favorite bikes have always been inline 4 cyl liter bikes. There is some inherent buzz in a big inline but I have never felt it objectionable. Again ride a TX 650 Yamaha and then tell me the Honda vibrates lol. I also confess I use the torque of the engine and not the horsepower, and it's RARE when my bike hits 4000 rpms and I don't think it's been over 5,000 rpms in nearly 20,000 miles counting my 13 and 14. I spend most of my time where Honda says they put the "character" right around 2500-3000 rpms. If I concentrate I can feel a little buzz but most of the time I don't think about it so I don't feel it. Heck on my 6 speed 80 mph still isn't 4000 rpms, and I just don't ride that fast. I'm usually between 55 and 60 mph, unless on the freeway in traffic which is actually quite rare.

As far as grips I use the Progrip 719 Gel Grip but not for buzz isolation although I suppose it helps for that, but because they are softer and grippier than the stock Honda grips.

JPT here is a dyno chart which will give you peak torque and horsepower readings at given rpms

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/imagejpg1_zpse4eb2072.jpg.html]




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[xNE0x_imp]

Keep in mind that honda engineered this bike to mimic sounds, feels, and looks of it's older predecessor. But the vibration is nothing compared to other motorcycles I've ridden over 50 miles on.

[JustPassinThru_imp]

Mine seems smooth as silk at all rpm's but my other two bikes are Harleys. I'm surprised to hear people say that an in-line 4 would be prone to buzz or vibration.

To the OP, have you figured out the problem yet?

Probably subjective.

I talked to the shop foreman about it yesterday; he looked at it, and said, yep, it's normal (I can see your eyes roll). But if it were WILDLY out of normal range, he'd probably say something - or else ruin the shop reputation.

The mirrors don't fuzz out; which tells me it's high-pitched and not that intensive - otherwise those mirrors on posts would give me a blur.

Out on a country road yesterday I wound it up to over 5000 rpm...the buzz did mitigate at the high speed. So it's not something twisted or bent - it's probably the inherent harmonics.

Holding the bars more lightly makes it easier on my hand.

And...it's important...I like this machine. I guess this is one of those compromises I have to learn to accept.

[rboe]

I have found, for me, a buzz comes on above 55mph, seems worst at 65-70 and smooths out again above that.

Put on 80 miles yesterday and my biggest complaints were wacko drivers, gusty wind (which prompted me to use the rear pegs which caused my left foot to fall asleep). Vibration and buzz, 65-70, was not bad. Probably distracted by the dang wind.

The Griso has no buzz, but it does have the vibes of the big V twin to contend with, and on the highway I find that much more pleasing than the buzz. Over the years it seems to be that higher frequency vibrations are bad, lower frequency vibrations are good (or at least not bad and in many cases, for riders, preferable to no vibration at all - it gives the machine a pulse they can feel and identify with).

I have not spent much time at 85+ but if memory serves, it seemed smoother there. Or maybe I was too scared about wind, cops, road hazzards etc. that I didn't pay any attention to a buzz.

My gut feeling, if the mirrors are still clear it's probably not a real problem for the mechanicals.

[JustJohn_imp]

Mine seems smooth as silk at all rpm's but my other two bikes are Harleys. I'm surprised to hear people say that an in-line 4 would be prone to buzz or vibration.

To the OP, have you figured out the problem yet?

Probably subjective.

I talked to the shop foreman about it yesterday; he looked at it, and said, yep, it's normal (I can see your eyes roll). But if it were WILDLY out of normal range, he'd probably say something - or else ruin the shop reputation.

The mirrors don't fuzz out; which tells me it's high-pitched and not that intensive - otherwise those mirrors on posts would give me a blur.

Out on a country road yesterday I wound it up to over 5000 rpm...the buzz did mitigate at the high speed. So it's not something twisted or bent - it's probably the inherent harmonics.

Holding the bars more lightly makes it easier on my hand.

And...it's important...I like this machine. I guess this is one of those compromises I have to learn to accept.

Probably subjective.

I talked to the shop foreman about it yesterday; he looked at it, and said, yep, it's normal (I can see your eyes roll). But if it were WILDLY out of normal range, he'd probably say something - or else ruin the shop reputation.

The mirrors don't fuzz out; which tells me it's high-pitched and not that intensive - otherwise those mirrors on posts would give me a blur.

Out on a country road yesterday I wound it up to over 5000 rpm...the buzz did mitigate at the high speed. So it's not something twisted or bent - it's probably the inherent harmonics.

Holding the bars more lightly makes it easier on my hand.

And...it's important...I like this machine. I guess this is one of those compromises I have to learn to accept.
Did you lose the kickstand? A turn signal lens? Headlight bulb? Air cleaner cover? Choke knob? Odometer knob? A mirror start spinning and fly off? Battery cover or strap? Oh wait...your on a Honda...never mind. Your good.

[rboe]

That would be "you're good".......

[Django]

Then I would suggest changing sprockets to alter your gear ratio. If you are a highway speeds rider, go with a 19 tooth sprocket in the front and a lesser tooth sprocket in the rear. The early cb1110's were geared too short, for sport.

Can you tell more about this topic? I'd be interested in ratio, teeth count and purpose.

[JustPassinThru_imp]

I have found, for me, a buzz comes on above 55mph, seems worst at 65-70 and smooths out again above that.

Put on 80 miles yesterday and my biggest complaints were wacko drivers, gusty wind (which prompted me to use the rear pegs which caused my left foot to fall asleep). Vibration and buzz, 65-70, was not bad. Probably distracted by the dang wind.

The Griso has no buzz, but it does have the vibes of the big V twin to contend with, and on the highway I find that much more pleasing than the buzz. Over the years it seems to be that higher frequency vibrations are bad, lower frequency vibrations are good (or at least not bad and in many cases, for riders, preferable to no vibration at all - it gives the machine a pulse they can feel and identify with).

I have not spent much time at 85+ but if memory serves, it seemed smoother there. Or maybe I was too scared about wind, cops, road hazzards etc. that I didn't pay any attention to a buzz.

My gut feeling, if the mirrors are still clear it's probably not a real problem for the mechanicals.

That's where I'm at.

At this point...with the machine virgin...live with it. Taking it apart entails more risks than benefits.

Yuppers on the mirrors. Also, correct on the vibration settling down at top-end revs. Which tells me it's harmonic resonance, not an unbalanced part. A car wheel, for examle, doesn't settle down when it's unbalanced when you speed it up. Likewise an out-of-spec flywheel or engine counterweight.

Mirrors are clear and it hasn't shed parts; so we're all good.

Softer grips are in the pipeline.

[Lord Popgun]

Then I would suggest changing sprockets to alter your gear ratio. If you are a highway speeds rider, go with a 19 tooth sprocket in the front and a lesser tooth sprocket in the rear. The early cb1110's were geared too short, for sport.

Can you tell more about this topic? I'd be interested in ratio, teeth count and purpose.

Can you tell more about this topic? I'd be interested in ratio, teeth count and purpose.
According to the parts listing, the 2013 is 18T in the front and 39T in the rear.