Vibration question

[Josh_SLR]

2009 Sprint ST with ABS

Bike has the original tires on it. 1800 miles total

If you take the bike over 80 on the freeway you can feel a vibration in the bars. The bars do not move at all. it tracks straight and nothing pops or cracks under braking/hard acceleration.

My questions is, can the original tires cause a vibration at that speed that would not be noticed at a lower speed? Can a out of balance wheel do this? Can it be the RPM of the motor at that speed that is causing this? What should I be looking for if there is nothing that stands out and it doesn't do it at lower speeds? I have never come across this on a bike before so any input would be great.

 

[redtail]

If you spin it up in the lower gears, does it still vibrate at all or is it only when you approach 80mph? Typically if it's a vibration from the motor, it'll be noticeable at any speed when the rpm's are just right. Otherwise, since you're not noticing it at lower speeds/gears, I'd say old tires and/or out of balance.

Just my $0.02.

 

[ScottRNelson]

As tires wear, the balance can change. Especially if it took a lot of weights to get the wheel balanced when the tires were new.

Sounds to me like all you have to do to get rid of the problem is obey the speed limits. :laughing

 

[russ69]

Have the wheels re-balanced and see if that makes a difference. You might have thrown a weight.

 

[WWWobble]

2009 OEM tires? I'd replace these, and I suspect they are the problem. Even if they turn out not to be the problem, they are on the old side and newer tires are much improved.

WWWobble

 

[angelsndevils]

2009 with 1800 miles? Is it possible for a bike tire to get flat spotted like a 4x4 truck tire? My 86 chevy sat for 5 years and I could never get the flat spot out of the tires.

 

[Josh_SLR]

Ok thanks for all of the input guys. I thought it would be the tires also but its nice to have that thought confirmed by others.

 

[Pushrod]

Cupped tread did it for me.

 

[flying_hun]

Moved thread to The Garage.

 

[mototireguy]

Up-down vibe or side-side vibe?

If up/down I would suggest rebalancing the wheels.

 

[Josh_SLR]

I don't know if its up or down or side to side its just a vibe.

 

[EastBayDave]

6 year old bike w/1800 miles? Sounds like it sat alot so the tires are the likely culprit. I'd also say it may have "thrown" a wheel weight. Put bike up on a stand & check balance. Make sure they are aired up too....

As other have mentioned, tires sound like the most likely culprit.