Mine has had terrible noise, vibrations due to belt having oil on it, loose belt, loose primary chain, unbalanced tires, on and on it goes. Sportsters are hearty and require TLC, you know.

Do your best, ride and enjoy.

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150,000 KM and still going.

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'04+ ... Tighten your front lower engine mount - they're usually a little loose. Makes a big difference. It will still vibrate, but it smooths it out a lot.

 

Okidoki

 

Some of the info in this thread has been very useful. Quite a few people have been taking test rides in the win a Harley competition and have come back and giving them a rough time. I've been able to counter the ignorance with some of this info.

Along the sporty side of things, quite a few people rode the 48 and most absolutely hated the unsupporting and uncomfortable, seat? It was a notable gripe from a lot of people. The forward controls wee the othe rmoan, but I kinda expected that from people that are used to their footpegs being under/behind them.

 

Off topic but, how a seat fits/feels for people is subjective for sure. I found the stock seat on my 2007 XL1200R fine for me but most people hated it.

I am one of those who hated the 48 seat. 30-min tops on it for me. I test rode the new 48, seat felt the same to me as the one on my 2014. I was not surprised that the new improved seat from HD on the 48 was more looks than comfort.

I replaced my forwards on my 2014 48. I have a small inseam, bad back with arthritis and the "C" posture of riding killed me. Put the mids on and all is well. Again, control position is subjective as we are all built differently. I really don't go by what others say in regards to these two things because of that.

 

Love my forwards on my 48.. Coming off sport bikes it was a little getting use to but I can throw her around pretty good now.. The seat was ok but after 100 miles or solid feel it.. Something changed slightly in my posture after installing my zed bars and poof my but doesn't hurt anymore.. Vibrations are part of the HD experience.. Take care of your bike and she will take care of you.. I've done that for 25 years now, I've been riding on the street longer than I haven't been.. From Italians to rice and back now on to Harley.. I've never been happier on 2 wheels

 

My 1200xlc vibrates more than any Harley I've ever had. Feels like a bucking bronco at idle, then hard hammering with the throttle on. Something wrong here. I did just change pipes back to stock from V&H straight shots.

 

It's not vibrating,
It's not shaking,
It's not breathing,
It's quivering in anticipation of going for a ride!

 

No, I don`t know that all Softails are counter balanced...

 

Gonna try a carb clean.