Vibration at 70 MPH + ?

[Doug]

I'm a new rider and have a 2008 FZ6 with 800 miles on it. I took it on the freeway for the first time this afternoon and noticed a vibration at 70 mph and over. It wasn't a severe vibration, just enough to make riding a long distance at that speed uncomfortable (along with the wind . . . hopefully a PUIG windscreen I ordered will help with that.)

Why the vibration? The stock Dunlop tires? Wheel balance? Am I just a wimp?

Isn't there some sort of aftermarket shock type device available to help with dampening vibration?

I also ordered some grip puppies this weekend which might help.

 

[sempul]

cant help you on the vibrations but the windshield will help A LOT! enjoy it!

 

[mcteague]

Let us know how the Puig works out. I hate the noisy buffeting on this bike but wonder if another screen will really help much. If I scrunch down to simulate a taller screen things don't get much better. Maybe the Puig shape can calm the airflow better.

Tim

 

[Guitar Man]

Puig screen made a great deal of difference on mine. As for the vibration, hard to say. Maybe a thrown balance weight. With that low of mileage it can't be too many things. Did you store it for a long period of time? Could have flat spotted the wheels especially if the tires weren't aired all the way. It's only 800 miles. I would look things over very carefully. Could be something coming loose, and you don't want things falling apart when you are riding.

 

[Motogiro]

Check your air pressure? Wouldn't hurt...

Cliff

 

[Kriswithak]

Hmmm depends on what gear you are in. If you where in 5th or 6th thats a bit strange. Lower and its probably just the bike revving hard. I came from a really hard revving bike so barely notice it, but it is there.
Also your still wearing the engine in. Something I have heard ALOT both on this forums and from people I know is that it really takes 10-15k kms (probably 7-10k miles) for the engine to wear in properly.

If your not used to travelling at speed you will also notice the wind really badly until you get used to it. I don't notice it till I'm at about 130-140km/h + anymore unless its a shockingly windy day (like blow me off the road windy)

On a new bike you might be gripping a bit hard (I still have to tell myself to loosen my grips after almost 5000kms!) and that might make the vibrations feel a bit stronger

 

[coiled]

In the early kms mine had an increased vibration at around the 5-6k revs mark. It was all but gone after first service. My guess is just the engine is still tight and bedding in.

 

[Kriswithak]

In the early kms mine had an increased vibration at around the 5-6k revs mark. It was all but gone after first service. My guess is just the engine is still tight and bedding in.

This pretty much sums it up, since my first service I have found it alot smoother. Maybe check the oil level and make sure a quality oil was put in. There is a HUGE difference between oils despite what some people say.

 

[LERecords]

heavier oil might help when you do the oil change, check tire preasure and check for balance weights.. those are good places to start.. good luck

 

[CanadianFZ6]

The vibration is from the engine... The FZ6 does that a little at hwy speeds (or more accurately around 6 ~ 7k RPM). Never bothered me...

 

[reiobard]

is it more of a buzz or a vibration? the FZ is known to be Buzzy at highway speeds, but vibrations can be a lot of things.

 

[Doug]

Thanks for all the advice! This forum is great!

I would say it's more of a buzz, than a vibration at 70 + mph.

I changed the oil at 550 miles and used 10W-40. I tried to stay at the manual's recommedation.

Do you guys use 20W-50?

 

[MarinaFazer]

buzz - most likely the engine. Get used to it. We all feel it. I ride at 75 with no buzz.

vibration - tire balance. It doesn't matter if the bike is brand new. Anytime I get new tires, I immediately find a place to test out the tires at the speeds I think I'll travel (whether street or track). I don't want to find a vibration at 102mph while I'm at the track...just BE SAFE

 

[LERecords]

+1 on the tire balance.. i threw a weight and yea, about speeds past 70 it started to vibrate like hell.. just check the rims to see if both weights are still on...

 

[SirIsaac]

Do you guys use 20W-50?

I do not recall ever seeing anyone stating that they use 20W-50. A lot of people use 5W-40 synthetic, e.g. Shell Rotella.

 

[Guitar Man]

I would think that 20w-50 would be too thick for a high reving engine. Not saying that it wouldn't run with it, but the pump would have to work harder and you would loose some power. There would be no point in using it.