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AndyW · 07-03-2009, 06:04 PM

Hi,

I recently purchased a 2009 Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Classic and I feel a vibration in high gear over 100km (70mph). It feels like the motor is going to blow. I'm kind of disappointed because it's a new bike and the mechanic that I took it to (where I purchased the bike says it's the nature of the bike). I was wondering if anyone has any ideas or problems with this issue. I've always driven a Honda this is my first Yamaha. Never had this issue before.

All advice is welcome.

Andy:

seruzawa · 07-03-2009, 07:21 PM

Try googling for a V-Star forum. There may be other owners who have had the same issue.

MOKE1K · 07-03-2009, 07:43 PM

How bad is the vibration? Can you maybe ride another one and compair? We had a customer that complained about the same thing on his brand new Gladius (bought at another dealer). So we serviced out a brand new one on the floor and let him ride it about 2miles. He returned with a smile and said ah, ok thanks. Thats a customer for life!

MOKE1K · 07-03-2009, 07:48 PM

The other thing that I wonder is what is your experience, how many different bikes have you owned? How many miles have you ridden in total-every bike youve owned. The internet sometimes hurts more than it helps and its a great place to find people who think they have a problem and make a mountain out of a mole-hill. Not speaking of you of course but people you might find on the net that will lead you to believe you have a problem.

SmokeU · 07-04-2009, 06:02 AM

V-twins do tend to vibrate a bit at speed. Especially solid mounted non-90 degree vees.

Kenneth_Moore · 07-04-2009, 09:22 AM

Although you'd expect some vibrations from your V-Twin, it should never be enough to make you wonder if the bike is going to self-destruct. That's way too much for this bike.

There are two characteristic forms of vibration: engine-based or wheel/suspension based. is it a shimmy or shaking feeling coming through the handlebars, or do you feel it coming through the seat as if from the engine? It might be a simple wheel balance issue, or it could be a poorly assembled engine. See if you can get some details and report back.

I'd be relentless with the dealer. If you have a bum engine you want to document it and get your service ticket history in place. Most states have a Lemon Law that you may have to resort to. That's a $10k bike and there's no reason you should have to put up with this. If you don't like the dealer you started with, go to the next closest one.

SmokeU · 07-04-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenneth_Moore

Although you'd expect some vibrations from your V-Twin, it should never be enough to make you wonder if the bike is going to self-destruct. That's way too much for this bike.

There are two characteristic forms of vibration: engine-based or wheel/suspension based. is it a shimmy or shaking feeling coming through the handlebars, or do you feel it coming through the seat as if from the engine? It might be a simple wheel balance issue, or it could be a poorly assembled engine. See if you can get some details and report back.

I'd be relentless with the dealer. If you have a bum engine you want to document it and get your service ticket history in place. Most states have a Lemon Law that you may have to resort to. That's a $10k bike and there's no reason you should have to put up with this. If you don't like the dealer you started with, go to the next closest one.

I don't know Ken, those pre-TC88B HD Softails were pretty bad. The Shadow VLX I had felt like a giant vibrator at high(75ish) speeds. I say 75 because that's all it'd do with a headwind. Gutless unbreakable thing it was.

mscuddy · 07-06-2009, 05:40 PM

Virago's are pretty smooth. Excessive vibration points to bad crankshaft bearings, a bad mainshaft in the transmission, or the shaft drive is shot, and telegraphing the vibes back to the motor. Does it get real hot when this happens? Might be an oil pressure issue too...

Since it's a 2009 have someone steal it and get another one, sounds like you got a lemon. I know this guy in Long Beach...

07-03-2009, 06:04 PM	#1
AndyW Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1	Vibration with 2009 VSTAR 1100 classic Hi, I recently purchased a 2009 Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Classic and I feel a vibration in high gear over 100km (70mph). It feels like the motor is going to blow. I'm kind of disappointed because it's a new bike and the mechanic that I took it to (where I purchased the bike says it's the nature of the bike). I was wondering if anyone has any ideas or problems with this issue. I've always driven a Honda this is my first Yamaha. Never had this issue before. All advice is welcome. Andy:

07-03-2009, 07:21 PM	#2
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Try googling for a V-Star forum. There may be other owners who have had the same issue. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

07-03-2009, 07:43 PM	#3
MOKE1K Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kalapana, Big Island Posts: 3,956	How bad is the vibration? Can you maybe ride another one and compair? We had a customer that complained about the same thing on his brand new Gladius (bought at another dealer). So we serviced out a brand new one on the floor and let him ride it about 2miles. He returned with a smile and said ah, ok thanks. Thats a customer for life! __________________ "YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL" "The only thing limiting your bike, is you" We survived Bush you'll survive Obama! "the most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work. therefore we should not be surprised to find the left concentrated in institutions where ideas do not have to work in order to survive." --thomas sowell

07-03-2009, 07:48 PM	#4
MOKE1K Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kalapana, Big Island Posts: 3,956	The other thing that I wonder is what is your experience, how many different bikes have you owned? How many miles have you ridden in total-every bike youve owned. The internet sometimes hurts more than it helps and its a great place to find people who think they have a problem and make a mountain out of a mole-hill. Not speaking of you of course but people you might find on the net that will lead you to believe you have a problem. __________________ "YOU CAN'T BOLT ON SKILL" "The only thing limiting your bike, is you" We survived Bush you'll survive Obama! "the most fundamental fact about the ideas of the political left is that they do not work. therefore we should not be surprised to find the left concentrated in institutions where ideas do not have to work in order to survive." --thomas sowell

07-04-2009, 09:22 AM	#6
Kenneth_Moore Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: VIsiting the GIft Shop in the Pit of DIspair Posts: 7,118	Although you'd expect some vibrations from your V-Twin, it should never be enough to make you wonder if the bike is going to self-destruct. That's way too much for this bike. There are two characteristic forms of vibration: engine-based or wheel/suspension based. is it a shimmy or shaking feeling coming through the handlebars, or do you feel it coming through the seat as if from the engine? It might be a simple wheel balance issue, or it could be a poorly assembled engine. See if you can get some details and report back. I'd be relentless with the dealer. If you have a bum engine you want to document it and get your service ticket history in place. Most states have a Lemon Law that you may have to resort to. That's a $10k bike and there's no reason you should have to put up with this. If you don't like the dealer you started with, go to the next closest one. __________________ www.kennethmoore.org

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07-04-2009, 06:02 AM	#5
SmokeU Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: pet**...pet...pet** Posts: 1,865	V-twins do tend to vibrate a bit at speed. Especially solid mounted non-90 degree vees.

07-06-2009, 05:40 PM	#8
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,444	Virago's are pretty smooth. Excessive vibration points to bad crankshaft bearings, a bad mainshaft in the transmission, or the shaft drive is shot, and telegraphing the vibes back to the motor. Does it get real hot when this happens? Might be an oil pressure issue too... Since it's a 2009 have someone steal it and get another one, sounds like you got a lemon. I know this guy in Long Beach... __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.