Hi,

I have always had a very slight vibration in my handlebars, as all of my bikes have had. But I had a thought that I want to run by you, hoping for some input. I bought some "rubber electical tape' and was thinking of removing my handlebars from their holders and putting this tape around the bars where it fits on the holders. I don't know what the proper word for "what secures the handlebars". But I am going to put the tape on and have it go around the bars 2 times to see if this will lessen the vibration. I'm sure it will fit back down in the holders properly.

I was just thinking that the rubber tape may lessen the vibration a bit by absorbing some of the vibration. I was thinking if this would make it less safe but the tape isn't really thick and the handlebars could still be tightened down securely.

So what do you some of you think about this? Do you think it would lessen the vibration that comes up through the handlebars? I would think it would do something since the tape is rubber and should absorb some of the vibration. But also do any of you think this could be a safety hazard, even if I am able to tighten the bars securely? I'm going to try it this weekend and I will report back but was just curious if others have an idea about this. Thanks.

The rubber tape may help, but the source of the vibration starts in the engine. The vibrations travels throughout the bike like the waves from a rock dropped in a pond. The vibrations are not as noticeable in the solid parts of the bike, but are very noticeable in the hollow parts. I believe that to disrupt the vibrations in the handlebars is to make them more of a solid----stuff "silly puddy" or some compacting substance in the bars back about 6 or 8 inches. The bar ends that you can buy are doing the same thing on a smaller scale---however, most are not long enough to make the handlebars solid. The bar ends help but not as much. It doesn't bother me so much, but if it did I'd figure a way to fill the handlebars as compact as possible. I'd bet that the handlebar vibrations are similar but different on all bikes, and more than likely, the vibrations are reduced with greater speed. Interesting problem in physics though.

I bought my '03 used last year. The original owner had already replaced the grips with Kuryaken grips, so I don't know what the original grips felt like. However, my bike does not have bar ends and rides smoothly. I don't have any problems with vibrations numbing my hands or bothering me. I don't even feel any vibrations in my hands.

I would not think that you would get enough benefit from the electrical tape idea to warrant the time spent taking things apart. I would suggest replacement grips instead.

Two other comments on the Kuryaken grips - they are a big diameter and feel good if you have larger hands, and if I could change one thing about them it would be to make them heated grips. I may try some of the heated overwrap grips I have read about next winter.

Philip,

I have aftermarket grips now that are softer and bigger diameter and they are better than the stock grips. My hands don't go numb but I was just thinking of trying to get even less vibration to the handlebars. I also thought that the handlebars and the holders are metal to metal now, and the rubber tape would lessen some of the vibration. It really isn't much at all but just playing around. It should only take 20-30 mins at most to do this and I like to play around.

I read on the VTX site (my other 2 wheeler), that some fill the bar with BB's or some such, then put bar end weights back on. They say it helps. Cheap fix if it does. go to Wally world and buy a carton of them and try that. it may be the cheapest fix out there.

Personally , I have not noticed or had your complaint.

Good Luck
MaxB

Max,

It isn't a complaint but I always want to try to make things better. There is only a slight amount of vibration but at the lower rpm range. Once I hit about 30 it all goes away to virtually nothing. I just like to play around with things alot.

Sorry if I sounded like I was complaining. I just wanted to add some information on the topic.
MaxB

Hey Max,

I didn't think you were complaining or anything. And I think I heard the same thing though about the bb's. I wonder if the handle bars need to be completey packed or just some what filled. I will try the tape and I also found some weighted bar ends in the garage I will try too. Thanks.

I would think completely filled with BB's. Or else it wound sound like a popcorn machine... Quite it...making me hungry .....riding down the road. HAHAHAHHA

MaxB (who doesn't have any popcorn in the kitchen)

Been thinking for a while about this subject. I have a fine vibration through the bars. I also have a tingling in my left hand and muscle ache in the same upper arm.

It isn't serious but I wouldn't want the tingling to get worse, it may be the vibration and tingling aren't related, but I may try different bar end weights to see if it does change anything.

Well, I went out to put the Manic Salamander bar ends, that I bought some time ago, on my bike. When I replaced my grips about a year ago I didn't put the Salamanders back on, since the grips had an end on them. I took the ends off and found they were only a plastic cover that didn't weigh anything at all. So I got the Salalmanders on and went for a short ride and the vibration is gone now.

I didn't have much vibration at all but I think the handlebars have to have some bar ends, even if they are the stock ones. The stock ones still were much heavier than the ends on the grips so that helps. I didn't even think of the bar ends since I planned on putting them on last year but just forgot to. I guess when you hit 50 you start to forget things.

yeah when you hit 50 you..............uhhhhhhhh......nevermind ....I forgot what I was gonna say.
MaxB (now where did I put my keys)

Bill,

I'm not exactly sure but they are black and don't butt up directly to the end of the throttle, which is good. I don't notice any steering difference so far and I did have them on for atleast a year or so, and didn't notice anything different either then. I can't believe I forgot to re-install them last year.

Bill,

I will take a picture of them and the box they came in. Maybe the box still has the tag on it for what type they are. They look like the 2nd link except longer and mine are black. But I will post a pic tonight.

Bill,

I posted a picture in the previous post. They are black ends and not the silver ones in the ads.

I had a pair of BMW K100 bar ends that I modified to fit the Swing. They are about twice as heavy as the stock Honda parts. I experience NO handlebar vibration with them. I suspect that the rectangular profile Salamander parts are very similar.

Bill,

I'm not sure what they are called but they are round and not rectangular. I need to get a new hex screw on the other one since it got bent when someone backed into my bike and knocked it over. It still works but is a bit bent.

I looked on the Salamander site and didn't see these. They are the 6mm Yamaha ones according to the box. And I'm glad the pics helped somewhat.