Handlebar vibration?

**pete-blen** · 26th March 2013, 22:10

Prob not the right forum here... But this is where most of the
big vibey singles hang out...
How the hell do yer cure it....
I have the feeling I may have "CTS"carpal tunnel syndrome & any
vibration sets it of..20 mins on the XT hands are numb can't feel
the levers..In fact they are sore..
" the XR 250 is vibration free & I don't get the prob"
I'm finding I have to wined the XT up where I can so I let it coast
and take my hand of the bars and exercise it... On the week end in
the lees valley I was able to short shift it to keep the revs
below the vibey area of the rev range... can't always do that...
It's getting to the stage I have to stop every 15mins or so...
Ever tryed useing the front brake when yer can't feel the lever
almost had a couple of good offs locking up the front on gravel...
Have to slow down well before the corners on gravel so i can
get away with just the rear brake...

So any & all idea's how to cure the vibration.. or at least reduce it...

**nzspokes** · 26th March 2013, 22:24

Fill the handlebars with sand. Thank me later.

Worked well on my CBX250rs single.

**pete-blen** · 26th March 2013, 22:38

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Fill the handlebars with sand. Thank me later.

Worked well on my CBX250rs single.

kool...thats already on my list...
along with...
bars that don't have alot of sweep...so wrist stay straighter..less pull on the nerve..
interal vibration weights to change the harmonic frequency & bar end weights...

??????????????????????????????????

**FJRider** · 26th March 2013, 22:42

Try Bar end weights.

**hayd3n** · 26th March 2013, 22:56

also check wheel bearings and steering bearings

**Frodo** · 27th March 2013, 05:45

I have a Pegaso with the same motor, which I find is pretty smooth for a big single. I have the standard bar end weights fitted. You could try foam grips. Engine mounts all tight? And something different: I find that running 91 octane, rather than the recommended 95, makes it run smoother.

**Trade_nancy** · 27th March 2013, 07:53

I agree with FJRider - bar end weights are designed to alleviate this. I had a similar issue on a road bike - after fitting newer and better bars I would get a buzzing and ticklish tingle....(don't say it). I removed the weight inserts from old bars and made them fit in the new bars and all became well.

**Paul in NZ** · 27th March 2013, 08:01

Or sometimes removing the weights works as well. Its all about resonant frequency .... I think....

**Night Falcon** · 27th March 2013, 12:06

As you will know vibes can come from the engines but also suspension set up, wheel balance, tires etc which on their own or if combined can be a real problem and tend to get worse on a big thumper. So maybe theres something there you could look at to help reduce the vibes through the bars?

KTM have an aftermaket handle bar damping kit for the 990/950/690 but don't know if they fit anything else. Ive had the same issues from time to time on long rides and found adjusting the position of the clutch and break levers helped a bit as well as tire pressure.

good luck getting it sorted

**pete376403** · 27th March 2013, 12:35

steel bars or aluminium?

The standard steel bars on the KLR were not too bad with the standard bar end weights fitted, but I'm convinced the Renthal fatbars are better. Still got the standard end weights installed.

All the other obvious things - engine state of tune, motor mount bolts tight, engine balancer system (if it has one) operating correctly have been checked?

**JimmyC** · 27th March 2013, 12:56

I bought some Grip Puppies ($32 on TradeMe) a couple of weeks ago, rigid foam grips that go over your existing grips. They've helped in a couple of areas actually, vibration is one but overall it's made riding in general a lot more comfortable for me.

**NordieBoy** · 27th March 2013, 15:42

Vibrinators.

First ride on the TT350 over to Mot and my hands hurt.
Now, the bars still vibe but just not in sync with anything (Tonic vibration reflex).

**Woodman** · 27th March 2013, 16:35

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Vibrinators.

First ride on the TT350 over to Mot and my hands hurt.
Now, the bars still vibe but just not in sync with anything (Tonic vibration reflex).

Yup, got em and they work. They sorta like a bar end weight but inside the bars not touching the inside of the bar itself. Google it . Ricor vibranators.

**pete-blen** · 27th March 2013, 17:05

Thanks..will be trying the lot...
the vibes have got worse since I put alloy fat bars on..
back to a set of old steel bars I think...
fill with sand in the lower section...vibanators..bar end weights... vibe reduceing grips..
if that don't do it... a set of ROX vibration mounts..the XT has rubber mounted handle
bar clamps so that would give 2 sets..
Maybe try diffrent grades of rubber in the XT handle bar mounts..I have
a few diffrent grades of urethane bar I could turn some bushs out of..

Any way it's makeing the bike almost un-rideable for me as it is...
so off to build the trickest set of bars known to the motorcycleing world...