Vibrations on Highway

[Zinje]

I went cruisin on the highway about 70-80 MPH. My cousin who also came along rides a Yamaha 1100 V-Star. There was a certain stretch of the highway that was kind of ruff. I talk to my cousin after the ride about vibrations on the highway and how it affects my vision since I wear glasses. My cousin did not know what I was talking about. He said the ride was smooth all the way through.

The M50 is my first bike so I always thought it was normal for the bike so I never really mentioned it before.

Just wondering what other M50 owners think.

[Zinje]

Just thought I would mention that I weigh 155 lbs and have lowered my bike 2 inches.

[MotoJPizzle]

after i get done with a 45 minute run on the interstate my hands are numb and my for arm hairs feel super weird.

[diamond_jim]

My M50 rides the smoothest at about 70.

I ride about 20 miles to work. Half of that is stop light to stop light with a few 50 mph sections mixed in. Then the other half is state highway at a speed of about 70. That's the stretch that I love cause the bike is so smooth then. It's like the bike is coasting.

[Zinje]

Yeah the M50 does run smooth on the highway but what has me concerned was the fact I had very bad vibrations during a certain stretch of the highway. I rode my cousins V-Star 1100 and it is pretty darn smooth. The fact that the vibrations did not affect him the same way as me has me concerned.

It was pretty bad

[07M50Limited]

It could be a couple things, if it only happens at a certin speed, wheel balance, or the stearing stem is lose, lift your bike(front wheel off the ground.
stand in front of the bike and grab, the forks, pull and push forward and back, if you feel any play, it needs tighting. Just a simple check.

[Zinje]

Ok i'll check on that. Also... what about the rear shock adjustment. What do you guys have yours set at? I feel the vibrations mostly on the rear. My tool kit does not come with the wrench that adjust the shock. Is there a way to do without it?

[ickb]

When I first got my M50 the vibration at freeway speeds was terrible. For a while I thought the M50 was a boulevard cruiser not a highway cruiser.

Close to around 4000mi the M50 became very smooth. Not as smooth as my previous Goldwing, but smoother than many other V-Twins I had in the past. From 60mph - 90+mph, no problems with vibrations

[Zinje]

I guess i still have a while to go. I only have 800 miles on mine.

Is there a way to adjust the shock without that special wrench?

[fake]

His Vstar is a lot heavier also.

[05HDRAM]

Originally Posted by Zinje

I guess i still have a while to go. I only have 800 miles on mine.

Is there a way to adjust the shock without that special wrench?

You can use a screwdriver and a hammer if your careful.

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by Zinje

Yeah the M50 does run smooth on the highway but what has me concerned was the fact I had very bad vibrations during a certain stretch of the highway. I rode my cousins V-Star 1100 and it is pretty darn smooth. The fact that the vibrations did not affect him the same way as me has me concerned.

It was pretty bad

Your bike has much more of a sport platform than the V-Star. The M50 is like a Mustang and his V-Star is like a Buick. Ditch the flat, straight boring highway and have him tag along in some twistys. Then he'll be posting on the Yamaha forum how he wished his V-Star was a lot more like his buddy's M50.

[daddyo]

Check the tire pressure. When I first picked up mine the tires had way to much air in them. You can also balance your tires. And yes a heavier bike will ride a lot smoother.

[ertyqway]

All of the above.

However, you should also know that the V-twin in the M50 lacks a counterbalance on the crank (one of the things that keeps their price in four-figure territory). Due to manufacturing tolerances, every one of these bikes has an rpm range in which the crank may go into harmonic vibration and rattle your fillings or numb your legs. It seems common with the stock gear ratios for the speedo to be reading between 70 and 80 when this occurs in fifth gear, but not all M50s do it in that speed/rpm range (just most of them). It's highly dependent on your individual crankshaft balance characteristics.

[GeorgiaRoller]

Originally Posted by diamond_jim

Your bike has much more of a sport platform than the V-Star. The M50 is like a Mustang and his V-Star is like a Buick. Ditch the flat, straight boring highway and have him tag along in some twistys. Then he'll be posting on the Yamaha forum how he wished his V-Star was a lot more like his buddy's M50.

Well said!

PS: I don't understand the thrill of long straight expressway rides?

['08-M50 Rider]

It's so odd. Cuz I ride near 100 anywhere I go on the superslab and I never feel vibrations. But ny bud with an M(refuses to use the internet) says it's a pain in the ass.

Also, for the guy who's hands go numb. Vibrations usually aren't the cause of numbness so much as the grip style during them. If you don't wear gloves I would recomend you try it because often it will cause a more relaxed grip, which in turn reduces numbness. I ride for 5 hrs or more at least once a week, much of It at high speeds off the superslab (so rougher country roads) and I've never even noticed my hands but always wear gloves. It could also be cuz I'm only 22. Just a suggestion, I've heard from a lot of people that it helps and I was hoping it could help you too if you don't happen to wear gloves often.