09 sportster 1200 low -- what to expect?

[kranite]

I bought my first bike since being a teenager: the 1200. I am liking it more each week. I have gotten used to a bit of roughness over the months, it has never been as smooth as the metric bikes I tried. When I rode my gf the other day she swore it must me "mistuned" due to vibration. It definitely shakes a bit--as if you can't quite find the right gear at times, lower has too many rpm's but higher has vibration. I'm not talking about at 60mph or 70mph, I mean just at idle and during low speeds this bike does shake and rattle.

Normal or possibly mistuned? I know, hard question, the problem is I don't have a baseline as it's virtually the only street bike I've ever ridden. I bought brand new and only test rode the one Sportster--kind of wished I'd have tried a few sportsters just to see.

Most of the posts I see about vibration seem to center on higher speeds: above 50. I actually feel pretty good at higher speeds with high rpms.

Maybe I just don't know how to ride this and I keep the rpms too low? I'm not too proud to admit I'm a starry-eyed newbie who just likes to ride and doesn't know much of anything.

Also, anyone have an idea how much gas is left when the indicator light starts glowing?

[sporty952]

Originally Posted by kranite

I bought my first bike since being a teenager: the 1200. I am liking it more each week. I have gotten used to a bit of roughness over the months, it has never been as smooth as the metric bikes I tried. When I rode my gf the other day she swore it must me "mistuned" due to vibration. It definitely shakes a bit--as if you can't quite find the right gear at times, lower has too many rpm's but higher has vibration. I'm not talking about at 60mph or 70mph, I mean just at idle and during low speeds this bike does shake and rattle.

Find an older sportster and take it for a spin around the block,
vibration problem solved.
Now, shall we discuss you back problems?

-W

[aka_matt]

>>Also, anyone have an idea how much gas is left when the indicator light starts glowing?<<

when it comes on, buy gas asap and see how much u put in...
u know the tank is 4.5, so just subtract... 4.5 - 3.8 = .7 left...
.7 x 48mpg = 34 miles left, or 29 safely... but use ur own numbers, not mine...

[kranite]

Originally Posted by aka_matt

>>Also, anyone have an idea how much gas is left when the indicator light starts glowing?<<

when it comes on, buy gas asap and see how much u put in...
u know the tank is 4.5, so just subtract... 4.5 - 3.8 = .7 left...
.7 x 48mpg = 34 miles left, or 29 safely... but use ur own numbers, not mine...

good idea I will keep more careful track. I have actually done that, just above 2 gallons. It kind of surprised me that it would go on that fast. Thought maybe they published it somewhere.

I seem to get about 38 miles per gallon. Does that seem roughly right? Seems like i read about people getting 50mpg. Course mine is all city and I probably waste some.

I will say one thing about the 1200--I think it's faster than most people would guess. I can, if I really want to, more or less keep up with the sport rider kids that bullet off of stop lights. I'm not saying I can beat them, but if I care to I can be right there. This bike is quick off the line. Which makes me think it's just a slight bit rough and not mistuned.

[azrunr66]

Originally Posted by kranite

I bought my first bike since being a teenager: the 1200. I am liking it more each week. I have gotten used to a bit of roughness over the months, it has never been as smooth as the metric bikes I tried. When I rode my gf the other day she swore it must me "mistuned" due to vibration. It definitely shakes a bit--as if you can't quite find the right gear at times, lower has too many rpm's but higher has vibration. I'm not talking about at 60mph or 70mph, I mean just at idle and during low speeds this bike does shake and rattle.

Normal or possibly mistuned? I know, hard question, the problem is I don't have a baseline as it's virtually the only street bike I've ever ridden. I bought brand new and only test rode the one Sportster--kind of wished I'd have tried a few sportsters just to see.

Most of the posts I see about vibration seem to center on higher speeds: above 50. I actually feel pretty good at higher speeds with high rpms.

Maybe I just don't know how to ride this and I keep the rpms too low? I'm not too proud to admit I'm a starry-eyed newbie who just likes to ride and doesn't know much of anything.

Also, anyone have an idea how much gas is left when the indicator light starts glowing?

I dont believe your bike is mistuned. There are a few things you can check.

Check the torque of all motor mount bolts and linkages. Harley used to have a torque quick reference guide,im not sure if they still produce it.

Check the torque of the footpeg mounting brackets.

If you have footpegs and handgrips that are mostly metal,not mostly rubber like the stock ones,you'll feel way more vibration.

Check torque of exhaust mounts to the bracket assembly and torque of heat shields.

I checked these items on my bike. A couple were off torque by a significant margin. It made a more than slight improvement in vibration.

For a baseline for comparison,ride a solid mount sportster on the freeway. Its a world of difference compared to a rubber mount sportster. The rubber mount bike has much less vibration,though it will never match a metric bike.

[azrunr66]

BTW, I forgot to mention that at idle, the engine and mufflers do bounce around quite a bit. This is perctly normal.

[bwana01]

I doubt that there is any thing abnormal abaout the bike. You don't have a tach, but I will bet you that at 23, 33, 43, 52, and 61 mph, in each of the respective gears, the bike gets very smooth. Those miles per hour equate to 3000 rpm where the engine is happy. 10-20 mph in 1st gear it is a rough sob.

Milege should be around 45mpg unless your really beating it.

Bwana

[Highwayman]

When my low light comes on, I still have 60-70 miles of fuel left.