Why do Dynas vibrate so much more than touring?

[Spudislandbiker]

I just come back from the 2012 Harley demo rides. I found the Dyna's buzzed/vibrated so much more than the touring models. I though they shared the same engine, frame and motor mounts?

[Rugby_fxdwg]

Frame and motor mounts are worlds apart....

[slypig]

Completely different animals (hogs) Plus the additional weight and mass of the baggers absorbs some of the vibes.

[Admiral Akbar]

The fact that the muffler hangs from the tranny, acts like a big tuning fork.. Installing a lighter exhaust system will help... Max

[hd06myway]

Someday HD will invest in new frames for the FLH & Dyna line that will eliminate the rubber mounted TC "A" engines.  They're technilogically inferior to the "B" motor, annoyingly shaking like a paint mixer... rubber mounts are a band aid, counter balancers are an engineering fix.  Everyone uses balancer in their motors.... unfortnatly, with cost measures in place to keep operating cost down, doubt we'll see it anytime soon.  I never owned a rubber mounted HD, rode them, but preferred my rigid mounted FXSTC to that shake and bake, yea yea yea, they smooth out once your under way, I get it, but now with my new Softail, counterbalanced motor, I'd never consider buying a rubber mounted HD... I can't tell you how many people I know who bought Softails after riding one, trading their rubber mounts in... all of them said the same thing, "they're so much smoother.."

[Admiral Akbar]

They're technilogically inferior to the "B" motor, annoyingly shaking like a paint mixer..

Thanks I needed that.. 

Everyone uses balancer in their motors....

Does Ducati?

Max

[MikeL]

How bout a b engine in a rubber mount frame be like riding your couch. B engines are smoother yes, I had the opportunity to use a mildly hopped up 2006 softail for a while but you are stuck at the 6200 rpm threshold which some say is plenty high. I for 1 don't agree. Extra moving parts add for extra problems.


                                                                                        MIKE

[saddle tramp]

HD's counterbalancer is badly designed, you have a mile worth of chain and guides.
They mite have something it they changes the design, look at most any other counterbalanced engine, not nearly as spread out, much more compact and better designed.

[Northside]

Someday HD will invest in new frames for the FLH & Dyna line that will eliminate the rubber mounted TC "A" engines.  They're technilogically inferior to the "B" motor, annoyingly shaking like a paint mixer... rubber mounts are a band aid, counter balancers are an engineering fix.  Everyone uses balancer in their motors.... unfortnatly, with cost measures in place to keep operating cost down, doubt we'll see it anytime soon.  I never owned a rubber mounted HD, rode them, but preferred my rigid mounted FXSTC to that shake and bake, yea yea yea, they smooth out once your under way, I get it, but now with my new Softail, counterbalanced motor, I'd never consider buying a rubber mounted HD... I can't tell you how many people I know who bought Softails after riding one, trading their rubber mounts in... all of them said the same thing, "they're so much smoother.."

Sorry man but when you say you've never owned a rubber mount you show your lack of experience with both.  I own both an '02 Fat Boy and an '07 streetglide.  Yeah the Fat Boy is smooth at low rpms but still has a little buzz at 80 m.p.h.  It's not bad and would seem perfectly acceptable if I didn't have a 'glide.  Sure the 'glide shakes at idle but the bike is for riding long distances on the road.  It is smooth as silk and rides so much smoother than the softy once you are underway.  That's what counts to me riding not sitting.  I have bags, a windshield and quick disconnect sissy bar for the Fatty.  It even has a S.E. six speed and a lot of motor work.  I have ridden it cross country in the past.  It never leaves town now that I have that glide, technologically inferior as it may be.

[Clayvis]

I'd never consider buying a rubber mounted HD... I can't tell you how many people I know who bought Softails after riding one, trading their rubber mounts in... all of them said the same thing, "they're so much smoother.."

Those people better never ride a Honda....!

[Northside]

 I have more self respect than to ride a Honda.

[Azgunner]

Someday HD will invest in new frames for the FLH & Dyna line that will eliminate the rubber mounted TC "A" engines.  They're technilogically inferior to the "B" motor, annoyingly shaking like a paint mixer... rubber mounts are a band aid, counter balancers are an engineering fix.  Everyone uses balancer in their motors.... unfortnatly, with cost measures in place to keep operating cost down, doubt we'll see it anytime soon.  I never owned a rubber mounted HD, rode them, but preferred my rigid mounted FXSTC to that shake and bake, yea yea yea, they smooth out once your under way, I get it, but now with my new Softail, counterbalanced motor, I'd never consider buying a rubber mounted HD... I can't tell you how many people I know who bought Softails after riding one, trading their rubber mounts in... all of them said the same thing, "they're so much smoother.."

I do mostly hi-way riding. I'll take a rubber mounted TC over a softail  B engine any day. I've roade my buddies ST a few times & couldn't wait to get back on my smooth running Dyna.

[rbabos]

Myself, I'd never own a rubber mount. Good thing there's a choice. My softail with the 113 vibrates slightly less than my wifes 750 shadow and a lot less than the 113 Yamaha Raider. Harley got this part right, at least.
Ron

[DaleW]

They're technilogically inferior to the "B" motor, annoyingly shaking like a paint mixer..

Thanks I needed that.. 

Everyone uses balancer in their motors....

Does Ducati?

Max

they did in the SuperMono 

[HD/Wrench]

 

[attachment removed after 60 days by system]

[moscooter]

 
The "B" motor with the counter-balancers CANNOT withstand the revs that the "A" motor can.  I seem to recall the revs on a B should not exceed around 5800 while the A motor can be safely taken to around 6200-6300 rpms.

So if ya don't normally rev it that high,  no problems with the Softail

[Mr. Fatty]

Ive been through 2 softails and 2 dynas. The vibration on the A motor drops significantly after 40mph and at 80 is a dream. The reverse for the B motor. In addition the dyna can take a pot hole way better than the softail.

[HD/Wrench]

Talking about ride quality is not fair when comparing a touring bike or even a dyna to a softail.. nothing soft about it

[rbabos]

Aren't you just a fkg ray of sunshine. Sprocket alignment was off to cause this, yes,  that's what it is.
Ron

[chopper]

Ive been through 2 softails and 2 dynas. The vibration on the A motor drops significantly after 40mph and at 80 is a dream. The reverse for the B motor. In addition the dyna can take a pot hole way better than the softail.

Ditto.  My Dyna vibrates at idle..  but no more than my old Shovel and Sporty did. At 65, it starts smoothing out nicely. At 75, its really smooth, 78 is the sweet spot!

  B motors superior?  Surely you jest. Above 70 they "buzz" noticeably. They do not tolerate high revs as well as the A, and are more complicated. Stretched balance chains and shifted balance shafts are problems an A can NEVER have.

And why the hell should anyone on a HARLEY be concerned about vibes anyway? A big heavy Vtwin is gonna shake. You want table top smooth, look for a 3, 4, or SIX cylinder

[Azgunner]

Ive been through 2 softails and 2 dynas. The vibration on the A motor drops significantly after 40mph and at 80 is a dream. The reverse for the B motor. In addition the dyna can take a pot hole way better than the softail.

My point exactly.

[Reddog74usa]

Replacing a rubber mount when it's worn out is a lot cheaper and easier than splitting engine cases to repair the balance system on a "B" engine. The "B" engines are runin on a rubber band and a prayer 

[Jim Bronson]

Shouldn't this thread be moved to the Senior Citizen forum?

[Admiral Akbar]

Shouldn't this thread be moved to the Senior Citizen forum?

Nope. Should go to Erl's place.. As soon as anyone uses the word "technologically" in reference to HDs..

Max

[calgary56]

unless the word "Challenged" immediately follows Technologically