Tiger 900 Engine Vibration

[MJS - PA USA]

I have about 1500 miles on the bike and was hoping the level of engine vibration would begin to subside.

No such luck, at higher revs the bike has a lot of vibration.

I was wondering if anyone else is running into this. At this point It just seems like a poor design...

TIA,
Mark in PA

 

[Qship]

Welcome to TT. There have been quite a few dicussions on this on many forums. Some don't mind and some it really bothers. I like the older triples with the smoother motor. Why Triumph messed with a good thing is beyond me. All to make the motor more tractable and the rear tire hook up better in slippery conditions.

 

[BMILN]

I have about 1500 miles on the bike and was hoping the level of engine vibration would begin to subside.

No such luck, at higher revs the bike has a lot of vibration.

I was wondering if anyone else is running into this. At this point It just seems like a poor design...

TIA,
Mark in PA

Yeah, same thing I'm experiencing. I've owned many motorcycles over the years, this 900 bothers me the most. I think it is the frequency of the triple. Here's what I've done to help alleviate the problem.
First, I installed slip on foam over grips. Very slight improvement. Second, I installed Rox antivibration handlebar risers. They placed the bars where I wanted them, but very little improvement on the vibration.
Third, I installed Barkbuster handguards with the bar end weights. This helped much more than the first two, and now, in my opinion, the vibration is tolerable.
I still don't think I would want to ride cross country at highway speeds and anything more than 4 hours in the saddle. It's too bad because it's such a good bike. I'm enjoying my back roads under 4 hour trips.

 

[nickjaxe]

Yeah, same thing I'm experiencing. I've owned many motorcycles over the years, this 900 bothers me the most. I think it is the frequency of the triple. Here's what I've done to help alleviate the problem.
First, I installed slip on foam over grips. Very slight improvement. Second, I installed Rox antivibration handlebar risers. They placed the bars where I wanted them, but very little improvement on the vibration.
Third, I installed Barkbuster handguards with the bar end weights. This helped much more than the first two, and now, in my opinion, the vibration is tolerable.
I still don't think I would want to ride cross country at highway speeds and anything more than 4 hours in the saddle. It's too bad because it's such a good bike. I'm enjoying my back roads under 4 hour trips.

The vibration you feeling are you sure its from the engine.

I bought a T100 new going on 3 years ago....over the past few months I have experienced some vibration in the foot rests and maybe else where but only at high road speed....70mphish

Have you considered its coming from your wheels.....it was with my bike....

 

[BMILN]

The vibration you feeling are you sure its from the engine.

I bought a T100 new going on 3 years ago....over the past few months I have experienced some vibration in the foot rests and maybe else where but only at high road speed....70mphish

Have you considered its coming from your wheels.....it was with my bike....

Absolutely engine vibration. Vibes are RPM related not speed.

 

[triumph900]

I have about 1500 miles on the bike and was hoping the level of engine vibration would begin to subside.

No such luck, at higher revs the bike has a lot of vibration.

I was wondering if anyone else is running into this. At this point It just seems like a poor design...

TIA,
Mark in PA

From the Triumph web site:
A new firing order was incorporated for a more engaged Tiger riding experience giving up to 9% more power across the rev range and a high-overall-peak power of 94 HP @ 8,750 rpm, plus 10% more peak torque than the Tiger 800 predecessor. The Tiger 900’s new T-plane triple crank and new 1,3,2 firing order has improved the character, off-road feel and on road performance of the engine and gives a more aggressive and engaging T-plane triple soundtrack with a more distinctive triple bark.

You get the "soundtrack" and additional vibration at no extra charge!

Seriously, I really, really wanted a Tiger 900, but the new engine just has too much "character" for my liking. Maybe Triumph will tweak it in the future.

 

[MJS - PA USA]

From the Triumph web site:
A new firing order was incorporated for a more engaged Tiger riding experience giving up to 9% more power across the rev range and a high-overall-peak power of 94 HP @ 8,750 rpm, plus 10% more peak torque than the Tiger 800 the th predecessor. The Tiger 900’s new T-plane triple crank and new 1,3,2 firing order has improved the character, off-road feel and on road performance of the engine and gives a more aggressive and engaging T-plane triple soundtrack with a more distinctive triple bark.

You get the "soundtrack" and additional vibration at no extra charge!

Seriously, I really, really wanted a Tiger 900, but the new engine just has too much "character" for my liking. Maybe Triumph will tweak it in the future.

I agree, but I will say as I put on miles (I'm around 2000 miles right now) I'm starting to adjust how I use the engine... Now that it is starting to get more broken in I let the engine lug and pull from lower rpm more. Which the engine seems willing to do. It keeps you away from the buzzy part of the rev range. That said, their are times you need to rev her out a bit (or a lot).

What will remain interesting is cruising at highway speed. At that point I think I will be thankful for the throttle lock. No bike is perfect and all and all it's a good bike but the upper rev range is something that needs to be addressed. Meanwhile I'll be looking for the sweet spot for highway drones. "Character" is not an excuses for poor design.

 

[BMILN]

I agree, but I will say as I put on miles (I'm around 2000 miles right now) I'm starting to adjust how I use the engine... Now that it is starting to get more broken in I let the engine lug and pull from lower rpm more. Which the engine seems willing to do. It keeps you away from the buzzy part of the rev range. That said, their are times you need to rev her out a bit (or a lot).

What will remain interesting is cruising at highway speed. At that point I think I will be thankful for the throttle lock. No bike is perfect and all and all it's a good bike but the upper rev range is something that needs to be addressed. Meanwhile I'll be looking for the sweet spot for highway drones. "Character" is not an excuses for poor design.

I agree with everything you've said. I too am at about 2000 miles and I try to keep all my shift points below 4000 rpm. 4k is where the buzzing starts and equates to about 65 mph. But wait! I discovered that the displayed 65 mph is really only 61 mph. I've checked this against GPS, radar, and fellow riders. The tires are too new to have an affect on this. I wonder if this can be reprogrammed at the dealer?

 

[Qship]

Bike speedometers tend to lean on the conservative side as do car/truck speedometers. Keeps the big corporations out of courts and avoids legal claims and the associated costs.

 

[BMILN]

I agree, in the last 15 years or so, the lawyers got too involved, but I've never seen a lean of more than 4 or 5 percent. At 10 percent, I think Triumph did more than lean, possibly tripped and fell. Anyway, not a big deal once you are aware.

 

[nickjaxe]

I agree, in the last 15 years or so, the lawyers got too involved, but I've never seen a lean of more than 4 or 5 percent. At 10 percent, I think Triumph did more than lean, possibly tripped and fell. Anyway, not a big deal once you are aware.

Seem to think my 2020T100 is accurate....I know cars of old seemed to indicate under most of the time.

 

[CarlS]

Bike speedometers tend to lean on the conservative side as do car/truck speedometers. Keeps the big corporations out of courts and avoids legal claims and the associated costs.

I agree with Q. The discrepancy is by design. It is not something we users can change. However the odometer is very accurate. My 2020 T120 has the most accurate speedometer of any bike I have ever owned in 64 years of riding. It is 2 mph optimistic at 70 mph.

 

[Windy]

I am approaching 6,000 miles and, like others, almost all of my riding is under 4,000 rpms. When I was above that, it was on an interstate at 75-80 mph with so many sources of vibration, I can't say the engine was the source. I was expecting the reported vibration to bother me, but not so far.

While I wish the speedometer was accurate, I always have a Garmin running, so use that instead. It usually reads 3-4 mph lower than the speedometer which I am happy about.

 

[CarlS]

While I wish the speedometer was accurate, I always have a Garmin running, so use that instead. It usually reads 3-4 mph lower than the speedometer which I am happy about.

That error is absolutely normal and built in.

 

[brooke]

I agree, in the last 15 years or so, the lawyers got too involved, but I've never seen a lean of more than 4 or 5 percent. At 10 percent, I think Triumph did more than lean, possibly tripped and fell. Anyway, not a big deal once you are aware.

I checked it many times and it’s 8 % on the 850 Sport . My Tiger 800 was 7 . They’re moving in the wrong direction .
I can concur on your Bark Buster comment . I didn’t use the bar end weights but the vibration seems much less with the guards on . Could be that I’ve got 9 k KM on it now too , at any rate I was distraught when I got the thing but totally happy now . Poor old Thruxton hasn’t been out all summer .

 

[brooke]

I agree, but I will say as I put on miles (I'm around 2000 miles right now) I'm starting to adjust how I use the engine... Now that it is starting to get more broken in I let the engine lug and pull from lower rpm more. Which the engine seems willing to do. It keeps you away from the buzzy part of the rev range. That said, their are times you need to rev her out a bit (or a lot).

What will remain interesting is cruising at highway speed. At that point I think I will be thankful for the throttle lock. No bike is perfect and all and all it's a good bike but the upper rev range is something that needs to be addressed. Meanwhile I'll be looking for the sweet spot for highway drones. "Character" is not an excuses for poor design

 

[brooke]

As usual for Triumphs I recommend installing an extra tooth on the front sprocket before it’s first start up .
.

 

[oldjack]

I have about 1500 miles on the bike and was hoping the level of engine vibration would begin to subside.

No such luck, at higher revs the bike has a lot of vibration.

I was wondering if anyone else is running into this. At this point It just seems like a poor design...

TIA,
Mark in PA

when mine was new, I played with the suspension (put on max soft) & put it in sport mode. it was vibrating out of control! I rang the dealer & he said something about sport mode not liking soft settings.
Mine is just the GT, not the pro, It had not had the first service then.
I put the suspension back & was okay.
After the first service I've tried again & no problems.
There is a vibration at approx. 4150 rpm. which comes in at 104 kilometres p/h, goes away at 106/7 k/s.
It dosen't worry me, as the the speedo is 10 % slow, our Aust. limits are 100 k/s & 110 k/s , so it is actually there at 96 k/p/h.
The longer I have this bike, the more I love it!
I haven't found it the need to fit bar end weights.

 

[shanered6]

I must admit i do wonder about long term reliability of the 900 against the 800 , ive seen many 800's well over 100.000 and still running smooth as silk .
But i wonder if an engine as unbalanced as the 900 will make it that far ? ... only time will tell !

On the question of speedo inaccuracy my 2019 800 xca with the TFT is terrible at a registered 70mph im actually doing 63mph , so i run with my tomtom gps on all the time as it can be damn right dangerous on the motorway when your not doing the right speed .

 

[CarlS]

I must admit i do wonder about long term reliability of the 900 against the 800 , ive seen many 800's well over 100.000 and still running smooth as silk .
But i wonder if an engine as unbalanced as the 900 will make it that far ? ... only time will tell !

On the question of speedo inaccuracy my 2019 800 xca with the TFT is terrible at a registered 70mph im actually doing 63mph , so i run with my tomtom gps on all the time as it can be damn right dangerous on the motorway when your not doing the right speed .

I certainly agree with about the need ro ride at the speed of the traffic on motorways. I too ride with my GPS most of the time. The speedometer on my 2012 Tiger 800XC was about 6% optimistic. The speedometer on my 2020 T120 is two mph optimistic at motorway/highway speeds.