I bought a 2010 Sportster Forty Eight and I took it out for the first time yesterday. I love the power but it has a very annoying vibration/resonance that is RPM related- not speed related.

This is my 4th Sporster and the last one was a 2008 with basically the same frame and motor mounts so I'm very familiar with the "normal" vibrations that they make.

The vibration is most noticeable coming up through the handlebars which have a buzz type feeling but it's also throughtout the whole bike when I accelerate.

Anybody else have this problem or any ideas?

 

i was about to say "its a sporty, and it vibrates" but then i read this is your 4th sporty...so obviously you know what to expect....i wish i could help but i was under the impression that the only difference in the 48 is the tank, seat, bars, forks and tire...but i cant see any of that causing the vibrations...weird.

take it to the stealer...i'm sure they'll try and convince you its normal but if you know your feeling something wrong make them understand

 

did your other sporty have short shots on ?? not much give with short shots compared to the length pipes (slipons) , take it to the dealer and let us know how that goes ...

 

ahhhh good point! the high rmps would make the pipes rattle a whole lot more...especially if they have a more free flowing baffle. even more so if they are loud..my bike rattles more these days bc i have no baffles at all...

 

Yes my last Sporty had Short Shots too.

It's not a rattle- its a vibration. At first I thought maybe the tires had flat spots from sitting all winter but then I realized it wasnt speed related but more RPM related and really noticeble on hard acceleration. I also notice the engine really jumps around in the frame when idling and reving up- I realize it's supposed to move some because of the rubber mounts but it looks excessive.

I'm going to take it back to the dealer but I can pretty much guess what they will do- take a quick test ride and tell me it's normal.

We'll see what happens.

 

Sounds to me like a bad motor mount.

 

or a miss adjusted lower front motormount

 

@1loud96 - I have the same issue. I have 2011 sportster 48 and feel lot of vibration. This is my first Harley so not sure if its normal or not.

What did the dealer say ?

Thanks.

 

I had the same thing.
It's the engine mount behind the alarm under the seat.
I took it to the dealer, and they changed it, and told me that a lot of sporties are coming in lately with the same issue.
Just take it in, it's a warranty item.

L

 

Hi all, I'm new to the forum, just bought a 2013 sportster forty eight, it has excessive vibration through the frame and bars at all times when the clutch is out (engaged). I feel it easier when lightly accelerating or lightly coasting, and I've learned that by applying light pressure on the clutch as to take up the play but not disengage it, the vibration near stops all together. I've had the primary cover off, the primary chain was correctly tensioned, but found that the clutch hub/assembly including the starter gear had play, light wobble. I then replaced everything and adjusted clutch drum free play but left light tension on the screw as to see what would happen, well the vibration was a lot better, but I have masked the problem by over adjusting the clutch. I feel very confident in assuming that I have a clutch bearing with excessive play, but I'm wondering if I'm just masking a different problem altogether. The vibration feels like it has an kinetic effect like as though you can kind of feel the bike pull to the side a little bit when the vibration/shudder is strong. The movement at the starter gear is about 2mm worth of wobble. Anyone have any ideas? Help appreciated.