Vibration through the handlebars.

Hi, Has anybody experienced the following problem and if so can they share their knowledge:

After 4 years and 45k miles of trusty service on my SV650 half faired, I reluctantly gave her up for a SV1000 H/F last March 05 - must be honest it was a cracking deal from shop iN hinckley that buys the Suzukis from the NEC Bike show once finished (well the ones with engines in them). I have now covered 6500 miles on this SV1000 (no more commuting) over the past 18 months and was enjoying it up until recently when i started to suffer vibration through the bars at speeds over 35 mph, now the only mods so far have been Scotoiler/Tail tidy and Heated grips, don't think these would suddenly cause this bloody annoying problem! It's getting to the point where any journey longer than 60 miles and the hands go numb - PLEASE HELP!!

[TSM]

you could try getting heavier bar ends, or try balancing the throtle bodies.

have you had any of your wheels balanced recently when fitting new tyres?

No new tyres fitted as yet.
Think i will give the Bar end weights ago and see what that does.

Cheers

It could be the tyres. Incorrect pressures and/or worn tyres. Could also be the headstock. Suzuki are well known to not apply anywhere near as much grease and lubricant as would be deemed sufficient. I'd go for my first guess though.

[mattSV]

6500 miles from stock tyres

I only got 3300 from my OE tyres, and then 5000 from my Z6 rear

[jambo]

Originally Posted by mattSV

I only got 3300 from my OE tyres, and then 5000 from my Z6 rear

My Diablo stradas (near as makes no difference same as Z6) have done 11,000 miles on my ZX6R (Front & Rear). Either your suspension is shot or you're running pressures way too low Riding style and typre of roads make a difference... Maybe it's all the burnouts

I would look at having the throttle bodies ballanced myself, otherwise you've fitted heated grips, are the bar end weights both tight? Are the grips built up to be less soft than the originals?

[mattSV]

Originally Posted by jambo

My Diablo stradas (near as makes no difference same as Z6) have done 11,000 miles on my ZX6R (Front & Rear). Either your suspension is shot or you're running pressures way too low Riding style and typre of roads make a difference... Maybe it's all the burnouts

I would look at having the throttle bodies ballanced myself, otherwise you've fitted heated grips, are the bar end weights both tight? Are the grips built up to be less soft than the originals?

Tyre pressues are checked every week and before any long ride and are always as per recommended pressures (36/42 for the Z6s, 36/36).

Suspension is fine - has been set up properly by an ohlins technician.

I do a fair bit of two up riding, and tend to ride 'enthusiastically' - especially two up through twisties and on roundabouts

My first Z6 rear was finally and well and truely killed off on the Norf/Sarf trip - so it went out in style

[jambo]

Originally Posted by mattSV

I do a fair bit of two up riding, and tend to ride 'enthusiastically' - especially two up through twisties and on roundabouts

That may be it then!

Just a quick point if it's the SV1000 (Nekkid) you've got, if ballancing the throttle bodies & other advice given above doesn't help you could always fill the handle bars with sand, not tried it myself, but I've heard of people doing it to kill vibes. May be worth checking with those in the know in case there's a good reason not to.

My money's still on a loose bar end weight or out of sync throtle bodies though

[Stu]

Think he said his was half faired. At least with sand you can remove it again. I'm guessing you could still try with clip ons.
I thought balancing the carbs was just for carbed bikes. Didn't realise you have to balance throttle bodies on FI. What's involved? How do you know it needs doing, and how do you do it? Is this a service item?
Thanks