BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I have a 2004 Edition 80 Rockster.
The only problem so far is, there is a high frequency buzz / vibration in the hand grips / bars that makes my hands go numb in as little as 5 minutes.
Gel gloves have helped, they give me about a 15-20 minute window of comfort before my hands go numb.
Other than a discomfort, this is a real safety issue, when it happens, I can barely feel my fingers on the clutch or the front brake, and those of you that have the power assisted ABS know what I'm talking about.
I have bar risers on it which make the bars 2 inches taller and 2 inches back towards me.
Anyone have this problem and solve it?
I'd love to hear how you did it.

There is a certain amount of vibration inherent with a big twin, but, IMHO, BMW does a good job of keeping it manageable. Anyone who complains of bad vibration usually has something out of whack-throttle body synchronisation can have a very large effect. I used to swear mine had none, until I spent a couple of weeks on an R1200GS--1200(hexhead) motors have a balance shaft, missing in the earlier models. First ride back on the Rockster had the vibration VERY obvious--not crippling, but it was there. I find I only have a real problem if strong and blusery winds combined with sustained high speeds have me hanging onto the bars tightly. Relax the grip , as you should, and the problem is minimised. I am guessing you have a bad TB sync. problem.

Something isnt quite right here. They definatley have a little vibration, enough to add character, but it shouldnt make your hands numb.

Balance the TBs.

12,000 mile service ( Valves, TB, etc ) was done 3 weeks ago at Max BMW.
I took a ride on my V-Twin Honda ACE Tourer 1100cc today, I'd forgotten just how smooth a bike can be, absolutly no buzz or bad vibes.
I leave for Americade in Lake George, NY in the morning, I'll follow up on the TB sync when I get back, thanks for the info.

Another thought.

Check the wheels are both balanced up properly. I don't know what standard practise in the US is, but whenever I have the tyres changed I get the wheels balanced up properly.

Mine has this same buzz problem which seems to be getting worse, 20K.

Maybe the extra summer work contributes to my hand numbness but the bars definitely buzz more than it has before.
I've already set the valves and sync the carbs, that got the buzz out of the seat but it's still in the bars and driving me towards selling unless I can fix it.

Got a set of bar backs today to try and I might re-do the valve setting and carb sync again.

Wheel balance will be next.
I did notice that when I swapped tires from Metzlers to Michlens Pilot Roads, that I noticed more vibration and immediately took them back to re-balance, they said they were dead on. Then I just brushed it off as having tires with a thread as opposed to ones without.

I've also went through the bike and tighten every nut and bolt on it, none were abnormally loose.

That Buell TT or the new GTR is looking mighty tempting.

Have you tried a higher grade fuel? (that has made my bike smoother recently).

riceburner wrote:Have you tried a higher grade fuel? (that has made my bike smoother recently).

funny how the littlest things can make a difference.

took your advice but added a bit of Seafoam then filled it up with Chevron (not my usual brand) amazing difference, must of had an accumulation of bad gas.

smoothed out and back to normal.

also intsalled the new set backs, http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /2015/246/, .....just what the Doctor ordered.

After you verify the TB synch, you may want to give these a try:

http://www.beemerboneyard.com/foamgripcov.html

Wish I had bought them sooner.

I bought a pair of these foam grips earlier today, I'll let you know how they work after a few miles on them.