I went into my local Harley dealer with the idea that may be some of what I perceived as being vibration might be attributable to wheel balance. The wrench rode the bike and dismissed the idea of it being either a balance or engine vibration problem.
He thinks that I shift too soon that I am not keeping the bike in the power band and that the engine is lugging as a result. I tend to shift about 2600 RPM. He wants me to shift no earlier than
3000 RPM.He says sixth gear is for 80 miles an hour. Well I’m trying his technique I’m not sure I agree with him. He wants me mostly in fourth gear unless I’m on the highway.

 

I shift ideally between 3-4K. I think you’ll find the bike is happier and more responsive. Does not apply to downshifting.

 

accelerating to 2600 before shifting is not lugging, but if that's regular for you you aren't burning carbon off either...I rarely shift below 3000, if ever and regularly up to 3500 and often much higher..all that being said I think he is FOS if he's attributing that to excessive abnormal vibration

 

Softails are geared lower than the touring bikes. No way is 2600 lugging. In the canyon where I live I am in 6th gear on my Heritage where I would be in 4th gear on my touring bikes. Completely different. The tech is FOS.

 

Along side my Harley I used to have a (bought new 2012) BMW R1200R, nice bike bike but couldn`t ride for 30 mins without totally numb hands!
Hands are fine riding my HD.

 

If you want closure, take another Softail for a spin and see. Maybe during your dealerships demo days? Or just straight up talk to the person you bought the bike from and tell them what you want to do. And tell them you think their service dept. is full of ****. That ought to get their attention.

 

I had two Harley techs and the dealership owner ride the FLFBS. I had figured it was wheel balance. But They all said it was normal.
I still can hardly believe it because it’s quite a lot of vibration.

 

Is this your first motorcycle? Is this your first Harley? Did you test ride another bike of the same model?

 

My right hiway peg will vibrate noticeably at times until I put my foot on it. But other than than I get no sense of abnormal vibration at all on this bike. My VTX 1800 had 4" pistons, was rubber mounted to the frame, and was dual pinned and I got more vibration effect in my hands, even with Kury iso grips on it than my Fat Boy with its stock grips. And I don't feel much in my feet either. I wouldn't have this bike set up any differently than it is. Must be kind of like felt recoil, to which some are very sensitive but has never bothered me.

 

Please. Half a dozen. I have a 2000 FLFB that is smoother. It smooths out with rpm.