I am new to the forum, also new to Harley.

Before this Iron 883, I only had a Korean Hyosung 250, never had Japanese ones. 

This Iron 883 shake a lot, compared with my 250. I know people saying Harley will vibrate a lot. Is there a way to tell the normal shaking from the bad shaking? 

the bike: 

2013 Iron 883 with stage 1

z-bar (higher bar will vibrate more?)

My riding condition:

I commute on this bike 25 mins each morning. The first 10 mins is always traffic jam, 2nd gear is the max, moving like 40kms all the way; and then 5mins on highway, 4th gear at 100kms; then another 10mins, light traffic, 60kms on 3rd. So not really a fun ride on any types of bikes.  

Basically, at all speed, my hand and foot pegs are shaking, of course, my Hyosung 250 wasn't like that. on 1st gear, the vibration will stop at 40kms, if go up to 2nd, the rpm will drop and also shake again; 2nd gear, vibration will stop at 60kms, then change gear, rpm drop, shaking again; 3rd gear, stop at 80kms, change gear, rpm drop shaking again. its like that. 

The extent of the vibration: the handle bar's vibration is visible standing 1 metre away, but it's not like that "barely see anything from the mirror", mirrors are fine. 

I checked on the internet, some people suggest I should check the front engine mount. I did, they look tight. I also don't think it is anything loose, because if anthing loose, the vibration will become irregular right? now the vibration is pretty synced with harley's special "patato sound", in other word, synced with the pipe sound.

Is this normal?  

do sportsters vibrate more than other heavier models? due to the imbalance?

or it is the stage one that causing more vibration? 

 

thx

Xin

I've ridden Harleys a long time. and the older one's did not come with Rubber mounted motors or counter balancers. both these systems smooth out the feel. the old Harleys had Rigid frame to motor mounting & the balance factor was about 60%. the newer motors have 52% balance factor this smooths them out a bit also heavier flywheels.

I still ride a rigid mounted motor 1200 Sporty, so I would think my one I would feel vibration more, but to me it feels smooth compared to the Old Harleys. Having said all this I also have a Buell they are rubber mounted Sporty motor. I notice Buell seems to vibrate more at low speed & at idle than the rigid mounted motor sporty, but when you go faster & the motors rev higher. the rubber mounted motor smooths out, the rigid mounted motor you feel the motor, but it don't bother me.

But as your new you are just getting used to it. motor probably shakes a bit as you start it and when it idles ( normal with Rubber mounts )

take it for a good ride where you get up to 100kph it will smooth out, also rev motor more don't try to ride with motor lugging at low rev. enjoy it!!

It's fun to ride. Harley does have characters both my wife and I love it. 

The first day I rode it, the shaking caused me several "all shit, did I forget the seat belt??.....no this is a motorbike" moment. 

see u guys on the road.