Vibriation under heavy load

[jorgebri60]

Good morning all,
I realize there's other vibration threads, and I've read through some, but as I'm new the the R18 world, I'd like to get some specific questions out there to see if what I'm experiencing is what should be expected. For the record, I have a late model '25 B and I love the bike and all it's quirks so I'm not complaining. So, now that we have that out of the way, I'd like to share my experiences thus far with the bike to see if you all concur with me. When I first purchased the bike (12/21/25) the first thing I had to do was ride it home 300 miles. The bike was stock at that point, no trunk, lowers, taller fairing, etc. First thing I noticed off the bat was the wind management sucked balls. Traveling back home at 80-85 mph in that configuration was brutal, to say the least. That was quickly taken care of by adding the side winglets, taller windshield (TC version), and lowers. Up to that point I'm loving the ride and all is well. Vibration is minimal and as expected. Didn't matter if I push the bike hard (heavy torque) or just easy cruising down the road, say 70-80, not an issue. Normal vibration as expected. As I've added miles and more weight to the bike I've noticed that it's vibrating more. Especially under heavier loads such as quick take-offs. The addition of the trunk was when I started noticing that as more torque is asked of the engine, it vibrates more. "OK", i said to myself, I'll adjust the way I ride and not push so hard. Still more pronounced vibration than when I first rode her home, but bearable. So last night my daughter and I went to dinner and she wanted to ride on the bike with me. She's all of 120 pounds and I'm right at 200. I haven't checked, but I'm pretty sure I'm well within the load capacity of the bike, I would think. As I entered the interstate and accelerated, I used quite a bit of throttle, not quite full throttle, but yeah, I pushed her really hard, and DANG! I felt as if we were riding a jack hammer. I was entering about 50ish and needed to accelerate to 75-80 rather quickly. Once I settled in to 75, the bike returned to normal cruising vibration, still a little more than usual, but bearable. Any attempt to accelerate, was met with vibration from the bike/engine that I had not experienced up to this point. So my question, is this normal for these bikes? It seems that as the bike is loaded more, vibration increases exponentially. I can control it by easing off the throttle and letting it slowly gain speed, but lets be honest here, that's not why we ride these beasts .
What are your thoughts?

Thank you

 

[LBV]

That definitely does not sound like normal if it's like a jack hammer.

To pinpoint, I'd definitely be taking the trunk off but have you tried adjusting rear suspension settings? (I don't think they're auto on the R18B from memory but could be wrong).

Otherwise, a dealer visit.

 

[jorgebri60]

That definitely does not sound like normal if it's like a jack hammer.

To pinpoint, I'd definitely be taking the trunk off but have you tried adjusting rear suspension settings? (I don't think they're auto on the R18B from memory but could be wrong).

Otherwise, a dealer visit.

Mine are automatic. That's one of the nuances of my particular bike. Automatic suspension, and no CANbus port are the 2 things I've discovered working on my bike. Perhaps jackhammer was too harsh a description, but the entire bike shook like never before. After doing a bit of research, I guess I may have been in too high a gear. I was in 5th and just below 3000 when I accelerated hard. I'll try using higher rpms next time I load it up with a passenger, see how that goes.

 

[need2lose20lbs]

I don’t think the r18 motor has enough HP for 80mph with a single passenger. My Roctane seems to like 70 to 75 as the sweet spot. I actually like the wind, but I don’t really ride more than 1 to 2 hrs at a stretch. The motor seems to run out of steam at maybe 65 to 70mph compared to my old 1250gs that didn’t break a sweat at 75mph. As far as vibes this is one vibey arse bike, but the frequency of the vibes is better than a lot of Harley’s I’ve ridden. Most of the winds in So Cal are tolerable except for the Pam Springs area which has really wicked wind gusts. I actually bought the Roctane cause the weight is very reassuring. It’s a good bike for 1 to 2 hrs at a stretch. The r18 baggers aren’t perfect but man they are so much cheaper than a lot of other bikes.

 

[jorgebri60]

I don’t think the r18 motor has enough HP for 80mph with a single passenger. My Roctane seems to like 70 to 75 as the sweet spot. I actually like the wind, but I don’t really ride more than 1 to 2 hrs at a stretch. The motor seems to run out of steam at maybe 65 to 70mph compared to my old 1250gs that didn’t break a sweat at 75mph. As far as vibes this is one vibey arse bike, but the frequency of the vibes is better than a lot of Harley’s I’ve ridden. Most of the winds in So Cal are tolerable except for the Pam Springs area which has really wicked wind gusts. I actually bought the Roctane cause the weight is very reassuring. It’s a good bike for 1 to 2 hrs at a stretch. The r18 baggers aren’t perfect but man they are so much cheaper than a lot of other bikes.

Weeeellll, She'll do way more than 80.. I agree that 70-75 is the most comfortable, one up or two, that's where she settles in and feels just right. That being said, I've gotten 109 out of her on more than a couple of occasions....rock solid . No where near the GSA or RT, mind you, but that's one of the reasons I opted for the B. It was a promise to momma that I'd slow down..hehe

 

[need2lose20lbs]

Weeeellll, She'll do way more than 80.. I agree that 70-75 is the most comfortable, one up or two, that's where she settles in and feels just right. That being said, I've gotten 109 out of her on more than a couple of occasions....rock solid . No where near the GSA or RT, mind you, but that's one of the reasons I opted for the B. It was a promise to momma that I'd slow down..hehe

Damn son. 109. Respect.

 

[Noelpolar]

MMmmm.... this is a world wide place..... so thoughts may be a bit varied..... what fuel are you running..... how many tanks of fuel have you noticed this over.... do you have an OBD tool? worth talking gears and revs as much as speed. How many miles on the bike?

Anyway, Australian here, other than the new bolted on hardware stuff..... I'd go for a tank or two of other fuel and (with a OBD tool) a reset of the "adaptions". In Australia I run our top premium fuel 98.... this is your 93 I think.

 

[jorgebri60]

MMmmm.... this is a world wide place..... so thoughts may be a bit varied..... what fuel are you running..... how many tanks of fuel have you noticed this over.... do you have an OBD tool? worth talking gears and revs as much as speed. How many miles on the bike?

Anyway, Australian here, other than the new bolted on hardware stuff..... I'd go for a tank or two of other fuel and (with a OBD tool) a reset of the "adaptions". In Australia I run our top premium fuel 98.... this is your 93 I think.

Always 91 octane, the highest I have available in my area bike has right at 1500 miles. I don’t really get pinging symptoms so not sure the fuel is the problem. Fuel is rarely from the same place so I don’t think I’ve picked up a bad batch. I dont know , I’m going to try higher rpms, see what that does.

 

[Cu Dubh]

I don’t think the r18 motor has enough HP for 80mph with a single passenger. My Roctane seems to like 70 to 75 as the sweet spot. I actually like the wind, but I don’t really ride more than 1 to 2 hrs at a stretch. The motor seems to run out of steam at maybe 65 to 70mph compared to my old 1250gs that didn’t break a sweat at 75mph. As far as vibes this is one vibey arse bike, but the frequency of the vibes is better than a lot of Harley’s I’ve ridden. Most of the winds in So Cal are tolerable except for the Pam Springs area which has really wicked wind gusts. I actually bought the Roctane cause the weight is very reassuring. It’s a good bike for 1 to 2 hrs at a stretch. The r18 baggers aren’t perfect but man they are so much cheaper than a lot of other bikes.

I ride 1-up & 2-up on my TC. I am also one of those that finds long-distance highway cruising is most comfortable between 70-80mph; I try to keep it 75 or a bit less.
However it often, er... I mean occasionaly, happens that I find myself hitting 90-95 mph if I'm not paying attention to my speed... it just kinda creeps up on me!
I may or may not have crept into triple digits (plausible deniability!) but I try not to, anymore I'm just too old and 'comfortable' for that shit.

 

[Anibal]

The B and TC are heavy girls. Adding payload and then asking the engine to go from 50 to 85 in 2 seconds may be too much, they are not speedy machines. Try easing the throttle to get to the desired speed gradually, specially if you are in a higher gear. If a sudden acceleration is needed, maybe a quick downshifting is necessary? I ride at 70/75mph and I get not troubles getting there in Roll mode. Rock is a different game and she will accelerate a lot faster but still.
When I bough my B, she vibrated quite a bit until I reached 2.6K mls or thereabouts, now she is smooth like silk when cruising at motorways speeds. She has 11.3K miles so far and she still pulling like a freight train.

 

[Rufus]

I’m with Anibal, these are heavy bikes and yes they are very torquey but you’ve got to be realistic with expectations. Trying a hard pull in 5th with rider and pillion is a big ask, no wonder it vibrates, drop down a gear or two and repeat, I expect you’ll get a better result. I had a 6th Gen Goldwing for a short while and tbh I was quite underwhelmed by its performance at first, especially in anything other than SPORT mode, until I gave my head a wobble and remembered what I was on. These bikes take a while to run in and loosen up aswell so you’ve not yet had the best out of it.

 

[Star-Lord]

agree w/ Rufus + Anibal: my Model B is locked in "ROCK" mode, occasionally in RAIN mode.....well, when I get stuck riding in the rain..

If you lug the bike, you will definitely get a vibration component; definitely try, downshifting to avoid lugging the bike.. should reduce vibration and lugging an engine isn't good, especially a torque'y bike..

I'm looking at next weekend of possibly hitting 60° F, a couple of us are thinking of sneaking out for a ride - which I'm definitely looking forward for the first ride in 2026.

 

[Petrus]

In Australia I run our top premium fuel 98.... this is your 93 I think.

OZ and European 98 is US 95.
Our 95 is US 93.
Same knock resistance just different testing method leading to different rating.
The stock R18 runs ok with the lower octane rating as the motor management will simply retard the ignition if it detect pre-ignition.
Lugging it two up, or up an incline and than giving it a handful is stretching it though and a higher octane rating would see the engine pull smoother but better still is simply dropping a cog or two.

Note I write ´stock´, Any mod increasing flow will increase BMEP thus ask for higher octane rating if you want to use the extra oompf.

Concerning top speed mine goes just whiff over 190 km/h where the limiter is set at. It does not matter solo or two up. With the air intake modified the limiter is more notable.

For the rest, about the OPs vibrations I have no light to shed. As was observed, that is too wide a field of variables, including experience and perception.

 

[jorgebri60]

ok folks, so went on a couple hundred mile ride this weekend through some of our regular riding spots down here in the desert southwest. It did indeed change the riding characteristics of the bike shifting into the higher rpms. 3500-4500 was comfortable for me (and the bike). Somewhere I was led to believe these engines like it down in the 2k range, which it did, up until I added all the weight. At any rate, we're good. Thank you for the responses. Oh and for the record, yes, 70-80 is a sweet-spot for her, but so is 90-95 ish .

 

[Cu Dubh]

ok folks, so went on a couple hundred mile ride this weekend through some of our regular riding spots down here in the desert southwest. It did indeed change the riding characteristics of the bike shifting into the higher rpms. 3500-4500 was comfortable for me (and the bike). Somewhere I was led to believe these engines like it down in the 2k range, which it did, up until I added all the weight. At any rate, we're good. Thank you for the responses. Oh and for the record, yes, 70-80 is a sweet-spot for her, but so is 90-95 ish .

Excellent!

 

[BER18 100]

jorgebri60.....Use 91 octane fuel. Engine knock happens during the hard pulls with 87 fuel. Also you will be happy to hear the R18 smooths out quite a bit after 7,000 miles. I have found boxer engines to settle in nicely after break in.
I once had a Kawasaki Voyager that jackhammered whenever I asked for acceleration. Paid $350 for a tune and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
I would buy the BrenTune in a heartbeat but can't bring myself to plop down $750.

When I read you added the TC windshield with lowers and winglets I realized you have the best wind management system of any bike. I had a TC once but it was too much bike for my tastes, but my goodness the ride was turbulent free.

 

[Petrus]

I once had a Kawasaki Voyager that jackhammered whenever I asked for acceleration. Paid $350 for a tune and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
I would buy the BrenTune in a heartbeat but can't bring myself to plop down $750.

As was observed, the ´Rock´ mode rocks by design. I lóve it. Have done a ´Hard Rock´ mod.

 

[jorgebri60]

jorgebri60.....Use 91 octane fuel. Engine knock happens during the hard pulls with 87 fuel. Also you will be happy to hear the R18 smooths out quite a bit after 7,000 miles. I have found boxer engines to settle in nicely after break in.
I once had a Kawasaki Voyager that jackhammered whenever I asked for acceleration. Paid $350 for a tune and WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
I would buy the BrenTune in a heartbeat but can't bring myself to plop down $750.

When I read you added the TC windshield with lowers and winglets I realized you have the best wind management system of any bike. I had a TC once but it was too much bike for my tastes, but my goodness the ride was turbulent free.

I use 91 octane exclusively. I’m hoping that’s that case, the longer I ride her the more she’ll smooth out. Bren tune is on my list of stuff to do, just trying to get past the first few thousand miles. And yes I’ve basically converted my B to a TC, even more so now with the Corbin TC seat. I’ve kinda lost the bagger look , but she’s way more comfortable to ride long distances than the stock bagger was.