Passenger Backrest Vibrates!!

mobandy78 · 06-14-2010, 01:58 PM

My fiance complains that the backrest vibrates too much and it makes her back itch and tingle when she rides with me. ( Sounds like I'm opening up a whole can of worms ;) ).

Do you guys have any suggestions on how to lessen the vibration in the backrest? I've thought about some sort of padding/cover to put over the backrest, but not sure where to start. I also read that adding a fuel processor will smooth the bike out also, but don't really have the funds to purchase one, yet.

I welcome and am thankful for your replies.

mikey911s · 06-14-2010, 02:12 PM

Have you tried to isolate the backrest mount by adding rubber O-rings or rubber washers between the rest and the bike? Just a thought.

recumbentbob · 06-14-2010, 02:31 PM

It's a V-Twin so it's going to vibrate some.

Try isolating the back rest bar where it mounts to the bike. Maybe some bicycle inner tube would work.

Also isolate the pad where it bolts to the bar.

mobandy78 · 06-14-2010, 02:47 PM

Dang! I never thought of that ??? Thanks a lot guys. I will try that out this week and see if we get some results. Thanks for the suggestion.

**glwilson** · 06-14-2010, 05:05 PM

That has been a complaint from others as well. (Not all, but some.)

Not really sure I have ever seen where any "quick-fix" has worked completely -- sorry to say -- although there have been many discussed through the years.

Some have increased the back rest padding -- or have changed it out completely to softer foam. (Easy to do - no big deal to try it.) If my memory serves me well, I believe that seemed to have the most success.

Good luck.

**billmac** · 06-14-2010, 11:28 PM

I have owned two Nomads and both have had back rest vibration, according to the wife. I have mounted rubber grommets or O rings between the backrest and its metal frame. The wife says that fixed it on one bike and helped on the other.

I agree with all these posts. It is a V twin and probably always going to have some vibration.

**Cajunrider** · 06-14-2010, 11:41 PM

My wife complained of the vibration until I mounted the trunk. It has more flex than the solid backrest did. She says the vibration is gone.

dogdoc · 06-15-2010, 08:36 AM

Not had this problem with my '05

bsa2nomad · 06-15-2010, 11:34 AM

My experience is similar to cajunrider's, when I first got the Nomad the wife didn't mention the vibration, but then I added a trunk for when she rides with me. Last week we went for a ride and I didn't have the trunk on, just the stock backrest. It only took a few miles before she mentioned the vibration from the backrest. I guess it is what they get used to.

scott2007nomad · 06-15-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey911s

Have you tried to isolate the backrest mount by adding rubber O-rings or rubber washers between the rest and the bike? Just a thought.

Worked for me.

phenrichs · 06-15-2010, 12:22 PM

My wife complained of this as well. Alot. This is how I fixed it.

phenrichs · 06-15-2010, 12:22 PM

Is that too mean?

dank · 06-15-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OP

Is that too mean?

I would expect her to complain about how hard the seat is now!!

dogdoc · 06-15-2010, 12:31 PM

Good one OP.

jandreu · 06-15-2010, 12:33 PM

OP, is this now an ex-wife? Would be if it was mine. I'm in the process of spending a lot of $$ to get her comfortable. Easier in the long run!

06-14-2010, 01:58 PM	#1
mobandy78 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Owasso, OK Posts: 1,485	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! My fiance complains that the backrest vibrates too much and it makes her back itch and tingle when she rides with me. ( Sounds like I'm opening up a whole can of worms ;) ). Do you guys have any suggestions on how to lessen the vibration in the backrest? I've thought about some sort of padding/cover to put over the backrest, but not sure where to start. I also read that adding a fuel processor will smooth the bike out also, but don't really have the funds to purchase one, yet. I welcome and am thankful for your replies. __________________ Matt "Mo" Moore Owasso, Oklahoma VBA #1250 2005 Nomad 1600 - Darkside "There is no normal life, there's just life. So get on with it." - Doc Holiday Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

06-14-2010, 02:12 PM	#2
mikey911s Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 144	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! Have you tried to isolate the backrest mount by adding rubber O-rings or rubber washers between the rest and the bike? Just a thought.
	0

06-14-2010, 02:31 PM	#3
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! It's a V-Twin so it's going to vibrate some. Try isolating the back rest bar where it mounts to the bike. Maybe some bicycle inner tube would work. Also isolate the pad where it bolts to the bar. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
	0

06-14-2010, 02:47 PM	#4
mobandy78 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Owasso, OK Posts: 1,485	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! Dang! I never thought of that ??? Thanks a lot guys. I will try that out this week and see if we get some results. Thanks for the suggestion. __________________ Matt "Mo" Moore Owasso, Oklahoma VBA #1250 2005 Nomad 1600 - Darkside "There is no normal life, there's just life. So get on with it." - Doc Holiday
	0

06-14-2010, 05:05 PM	#5
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! That has been a complaint from others as well. (Not all, but some.) Not really sure I have ever seen where any "quick-fix" has worked completely -- sorry to say -- although there have been many discussed through the years. Some have increased the back rest padding -- or have changed it out completely to softer foam. (Easy to do - no big deal to try it.) If my memory serves me well, I believe that seemed to have the most success. Good luck. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

06-14-2010, 11:28 PM	#6
billmac Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,472	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! I have owned two Nomads and both have had back rest vibration, according to the wife. I have mounted rubber grommets or O rings between the backrest and its metal frame. The wife says that fixed it on one bike and helped on the other. I agree with all these posts. It is a V twin and probably always going to have some vibration.
	0

06-14-2010, 11:41 PM	#7
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! My wife complained of the vibration until I mounted the trunk. It has more flex than the solid backrest did. She says the vibration is gone. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
	0

06-15-2010, 08:36 AM	#8
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! Not had this problem with my '05
	0

06-15-2010, 11:34 AM	#9
bsa2nomad Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western PA Posts: 23	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! My experience is similar to cajunrider's, when I first got the Nomad the wife didn't mention the vibration, but then I added a trunk for when she rides with me. Last week we went for a ride and I didn't have the trunk on, just the stock backrest. It only took a few miles before she mentioned the vibration from the backrest. I guess it is what they get used to.
	0

06-15-2010, 12:22 PM	#11
phenrichs Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 2,498	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! My wife complained of this as well. Alot. This is how I fixed it.
	0

06-15-2010, 12:22 PM	#12
phenrichs Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 2,498	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! Is that too mean?
	0

06-15-2010, 12:31 PM	#14
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! Good one OP.
	0

06-15-2010, 12:33 PM	#15
jandreu Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Makawao, Hawaii Posts: 1,409	Passenger Backrest Vibrates!! OP, is this now an ex-wife? Would be if it was mine. I'm in the process of spending a lot of $$ to get her comfortable. Easier in the long run! __________________ James Andreu '07 1600 Red/Silver VBA Member #1356 jandreu@hawaiiantel.net
	0

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Logo for Passenger Backrest!	steammarc	1700 Nomad, Vaquero & Voyager	5	01-31-2011 07:40 PM
Mustang passenger backrest?	scott2007nomad	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	2	12-07-2010 08:08 AM
WTB passenger backrest	4dtvman	Wanted	0	05-23-2010 05:14 PM
Passenger backrest	spirello	1500 & 1600 Nomad	4	02-01-2009 05:25 PM
Passenger Backrest Vibration	MikeInFla	Vulcan Nomad/Vaquero/Voyager	12	01-06-2009 04:01 PM