'09 Voyager running rough at speed

[MrMikey]

2009 Voyager, 53,000kms. starts fine, idles fine, runs around 1200± rpm when cold and then drops to around 900± rpm after a couple of minutes.
Seems to pull ok but when running steady speed around 100KPH at 3000 rpm in 5th there seems to be a lot of engine vibration, more so than a twin should have.
If I pull the clutch at 100kph so the engine drops to idle, the vibration stops so it's not drive train, least ways not from the rear wheel to the output shaft, at least in my thoughts.
I'm thinking an air leak would show itself at idle as well, I'm going to use some WD40 and spray around any intake joint and see if anything changes.
Going to change the plugs even tho it sounds too simple a solution.

Anyone got any other thoughts?......Mike

[redjay]

How long have you had the bike ? Is this vibration something that just started ?

[MrMikey]

This is my third season with it. It never was what I would call 'smooth' but not enough to be disconcerting. Being the first 1700 I've owned (previous was a Nomad 1600 before that a 'wing) I figured it was normal as I know the feeling of a twin. It seems to have gotten more pronounced in the past month.
I had to lay it up early last year because of my hip going bad so it was laid up for a good 6 months if not more. I'm wondering if it might be something to do with that. I did give it a good dosing of stabilizer before I laid it up and have run a good dozen tanks of fuel thru it since.
It feels 'rotational' if that makes sense, rhythmic, a consistent vibration that seems to intensify with engine rpm that doesn't change with road speed, just engine speed.
There's no hesitation when giving it fuel at any speed.
--Very, very-- occasionally I'll get a slight backfire thru the throttle bodies when I blip the throttle to downshift 2-1.
I'm wondering if I'm just getting more observant or sensitive for lack of a better word, a tender a$$ LOL......Mike

[redjay]

Have you checked the bolts that attach the engine to the chassis ?
Are they torqued to the correct setting ?

Have you inspected the drive belt for adjustment ? Is the belt damaged ?
Maybe inspect the dampers in the rear wheel ?

http://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/a/kaw/500b6f7bf8700223e479822d/rear-wheel-chain

I doubt the vibration is because of laying the bike up for a while.

[mike07nad]

Spend $360 to get your ECU IVANIZED and all your vibrations will go away. I think what you are describing is just the nature of the stock 1700. If you downshift it should go away.

[MrMikey]

Have you checked the bolts that attach the engine to the chassis ?
Are they torqued to the correct setting ?
Good call, will do

Have you inspected the drive belt for adjustment ? Is the belt damaged ?
I will, can't see it tho as the vibration disappears the minute the clutch is disengaged. I'd think if the belt was damaged or out of adjustment it would vibrate all the time as it's always turning. Not disagreeing, just thinking out loud here.

Maybe inspect the dampers in the rear wheel ?
Will do


http://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/a/k...ar-wheel-chain (http://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/a/kaw/500b6f7bf8700223e479822d/rear-wheel-chain)

I doubt the vibration is because of laying the bike up for a while.
Agree, again just putting my thoughts to words.......M

[MrMikey]

Spend $360 to get your ECU IVANIZED and all your vibrations will go away.

Unfortunately so will CAN$450 plus shipping.I did think of it tho but that's a fair amount of $$.
I would like to find out if this is a problem and repair it first before putting that kind of dollars into it. ....Mike

[Demolition Man]

About about running 100 kph in 4th gear or in 6th ?

Same vibration at same speed in a different gear ?
If yes and no vibration with clutch pulled, could be the transmission or outputshaft to the front pulley. Heard about some bearing failure due to too much belt tension.

Sounds weird, but have you thought about the tires ? You said the bike has been "parked" for a while. Correct air pressure or a flat spot due to the long period being parked.

[Sabre-t]

Don't discount the drive train just because the vibration goes away with the clutch pulled. Very different dynamics when you are coasting instead of pushing. From your description I agree though, it is probably not in the drive train. RPM and not speed related and no apparent loss of power with the vibration. Does it go away, stay the same or get worse above 3000 rpm?

[MrMikey]

Sounds weird, but have you thought about the tires ? You said the bike has been "parked" for a while. Correct air pressure or a flat spot due to the long period being parked.
Vibration goes away with clutch pulled so that, to me, says not the tires.

If yes and no vibration with clutch pulled, could be the transmission or outputshaft to the front pulley
I had thought that initially but if it were the output shaft,would it not still be turning with the clutch it, driven by the rear tire thru the belt? I mean the vibration stops immediately when the clutch is pulled.
Got me second guessing my self now, wondering if it is indeed worse. I still think it is. I'm going to check the belt and engine mounts after I grab a bite of something for dinner.
I might even loosen the belt off some, I know it was tighter than I thought it should be.........Mike

[Snake Ranch]

Vibration goes away with clutch pulled so that, to me, says not the tires.


I had thought that initially but if it were the output shaft,would it not still be turning with the clutch it, driven by the rear tire thru the belt? I mean the vibration stops immediately when the clutch is pulled.
Got me second guessing my self now, wondering if it is indeed worse. I still think it is. I'm going to check the belt and engine mounts after I grab a bite of something for dinner.
I might even loosen the belt off some, I know it was tighter than I thought it should be.........Mike


You report the vibration when running steady speed around 100KPH at 3000 rpm in 5th.If you pull the clutch at 100kph so the engine drops to idle, the vibration stops.

Does the engine vibrate when the engine is at 3000 rpm in neutral and you are not moving, or in gear with the clutch lever pulled and not moving?

The more you can do with different "checks" or tests makes it easier to narrow down the cause.:tup::tup:

[MrMikey]

Does it go away, stay the same or get worse above 3000 rpm?
Increases, not a lot but noticeable
Does the engine vibrate when the engine is at 3000 rpm in neutral and you are not moving, or in gear with the clutch lever pulled and not moving
Duhhh, that makes me a dumb ass, never even thought to try that scenario, I could even try while moving with the clutch in. I'll have to wait till Thursday now, taking the truck to work tomorrow and I'm not going outside any more tonight, I'm getting discouraged.
Had it up on the lift, the belt was tight enough you could play a tune on it, I loosened it up a bit and took it for a ride. The vibration was still there but not quite as intense so it's belt/drivetrain related. I also noticed it's slightly easier to push backwards now.
Engine mounts were tight, never took the rear wheel off to physically look at the cush rubbers but there was no slop between the wheel/drivesprocket.
I took a prybar and pushed/pulled poked at the drive sprocket, no play that I could see.
While I had it on the stand I ran it in gear and used a stethoscope to probe around to no avail, no bearing noises.
I'm just going to have to pass it off as me noticing more now for some reason, or I'm becoming paranoid.
Much appreciate all the replies and suggestions......Mike

[mbarr10]

How soon after your operation did it start? Could it be your new parts? Just a thought since my dad had a new Knee installed he has noticed differences in things in life.

[MrMikey]

How soon after your operation did it start? Could it be your new parts?
When I first read that I thought WTF, this guys out to lunch but you know what, you very well might have a point the more I think about it.
Looking back since I first had it out this year since my operation, I do believe you're right, nahhh......maybe, now that is screwing with my mind.
Now how the hell am I going to prove/disprove that? Doesn't that make me look like an ass................M

[Snake Ranch]

Increases, not a lot but noticeable

Duhhh, that makes me a dumb ass, never even thought to try that scenario, I could even try while moving with the clutch in. I'll have to wait till Thursday now, taking the truck to work tomorrow and I'm not going outside any more tonight, I'm getting discouraged.
Had it up on the lift, the belt was tight enough you could play a tune on it, I loosened it up a bit and took it for a ride. The vibration was still there but not quite as intense so it's belt/drivetrain related. I also noticed it's slightly easier to push backwards now.
Engine mounts were tight, never took the rear wheel off to physically look at the cush rubbers but there was no slop between the wheel/drivesprocket.
I took a prybar and pushed/pulled poked at the drive sprocket, no play that I could see.
While I had it on the stand I ran it in gear and used a stethoscope to probe around to no avail, no bearing noises.
I'm just going to have to pass it off as me noticing more now for some reason, or I'm becoming paranoid.
Much appreciate all the replies and suggestions......Mike


Don't feel bad, that's what this form is all about. Different perspectives.

There is a lot of knowledge and experience here you can tap into.

That drive sprocket has a bearing, like the wheel bearing. You might not see anything until the belt tension is released.:tup::tup:

[MrMikey]

That drive sprocket has a bearing, like the wheel bearing. You might not see anything until the belt tension is released.

Yup, I was prying all around it in different directions, I think I would have noticed something, maybe not. Didn't hear any weird noises with the scope right on the block around it.
I'm going to ride it as is unless it gets worse........Mike

[mbarr10]

I thought WTF, this guys out to lunch
Yes I am, But It was a thought. Stranger things have happened. I am Betting it's the bike.
Good Luck with the fix.

Another Mike

[Snake Ranch]

Yup, I was prying all around it in different directions, I think I would have noticed something, maybe not. Didn't hear any weird noises with the scope right on the block around it.
I'm going to ride it as is unless it gets worse........Mike

Sometimes you have to throw up your hands and say "let it develop a little more".

Right now it is whispering to you, something is going on here. But you can't put your finger on it.

If you think it is safe give it some more time to show itself.

Sometimes these things can worry a person to drinking.:tup::tup:

[MrMikey]

Sometimes these things can worry a person to drinking

I need an excuse? LOL

[mike07nad]

Is there another Voyager rider around that you could get to take your bike for a ride. - There once was a member here who was just convinced his bike had a problem, the Dealer said it's normal (What do they know anyway), He was going nuts trying to troubleshoot the thing. I offered to go and ride his bike for him (I've had 3 Voyagers 09, 13 and 14) The vibration he was experiencing was the same engine vibration that all three of my Voyagers had. I'm gonna guess that another Voyager rider will say either "Hey that doesn't feel normal" or "Yea that feels just like mine did before I did this......." It would be even better if you were to find another Voyager rider who has the Ivan reflash and convince him to let you borrow it for a test ride to see if it fixes your issue.

[MrMikey]

Is there another Voyager rider around that you could get to take your bike for a ride.

To my knowledge no, I wish there was. Even tho I'm anal about someone riding my bike or any of my vehicles I'd do it in this instance....Mike

[mbarr10]

Is there another Voyager rider around that you could get to take your bike for a ride
Or even a Vaquero, they have the same suspension and forks, Fairing Ect.
But
I'm anal about someone riding my bike
I hear you, had my share of problems with that. But look at their Odometer to help you get over it. It may help some.

[MrMikey]

Ok, I'm a dumba$$...no...an idiot, no worse, whatever that might be.
I found the problem and it was on top of the seat behind the bars.....
It made me think when Mike mentioned the knee replacement making his dad feel different things, so I started thinking (never a good option) "what have I done recently that might have had an effect on the bike".
Went with a slightly lower tire pressure? nope, put it back to where I had it, no change.
Changed the oil? maybe I overfilled it, nope, alls well.
Washed it? nope, have done that more than once.
New helmet? I went from a lid to a 3/4 with visor, no way that would make my whole carcass vibrate. It does make my head shake when I have the visor up but that's understandable. Not to mention clutch, engine speed would not do anything that the helmet would affect...does it?
I've always used a lid/beanie but it drove my daughter nuts that if I ever went down I might as well have nothing so I bought a 3/4, a compromise to passify the kid LOL. It was very comfortable (an FS2 OF569), had an outer visor as well as a flip up tinted inner visor.
Well it does, it must be some kind of resonant frequency thing that the helmet amplifies or some damn thing as that's what it was.
I was out today and it was too effin' hot for the 3/4 so I stopped in at the bike shop and bought a lid/beanie whatever you call it, and lo and behold no vibration. I was beyond "WTF" this is not possible.
So, Moral of the story, don't ever discount the impossible as ridiculous as it may seem.
My thanks to all that replied, if nothing else I did loosen my belt up a bit which took some whine away.......Mike

[mike07nad]

You have left me speechless - Glad you found it. Isn't life funny when our minds are allowed to wander.

[MrMikey]

You have left me speechless
You speechless......imagine how I feel LOL.
If someone had told me that story, I'd say they're full of it..........Mike

[mbarr10]

Excellent,... a solution and it did not cost much and No down time. Happy riding.

[smokier]

Ok, I'm a dumba$$...no...an idiot, no worse, whatever that might be.(snip)
I was out today and it was too effin' hot for the 3/4 so I stopped in at the bike shop and bought a lid/beanie whatever you call it, and lo and behold no vibration. I was beyond "WTF" this is not possible.
So, Moral of the story, don't ever discount the impossible as ridiculous as it may seem.
My thanks to all that replied, if nothing else I did loosen my belt up a bit which took some whine away.......Mike
:tup: Glad the problem is solved! :D
We have all done :wtf: or :crazy: , :ohno:, or even :hmm: and :cry: to ourselves!
Welcome to the :???: club!

[Demolition Man]

Expect everyting, even the unexpected - I would say !


Cu,
Sven