Mirror vibration

[Will McClard]

The mirrors vibrate so much it is hard to make out what is behind me. I can see cars but can't tell if they are cop.
The heavy things that stick out past the bar ends are loose. I think these are some kind of vibration dampers?
I also raised my bars, this could add some to the problem?

Any one else have a problem seeing with all the vibration, and any solutions?

[scratch]

Yep, those bar ends are vibration cancelling, but they'll only work if they're tight.

[Kerry]

The raised bars might add to the problem - hard to say.

I have similar issues with my GenMar-heightened bars, but I don't remember it being any better with the stock setup.  The only sure-fire method I have come up with is a quick "throttle-off, clutch-in, take a good look, clutch-out, throttle-on" maneuver. 

[Will McClard]

I got the bar ends tightened, but it was little help.
The clutch in throttle off thing works pretty well.
At 5k car head lights make little circles like smoke rings. Kinda cool but annoying.
I am thinking of way to rubber mount the bars, any suggestions?
If Kerry knows of nothing I'm probably out of luck.

[12thmonkey]

i was having the same problem, and i picked up some SV mirrors off ebay for about $25. It solved my problem. Not only can i see a TON better...but the mirrors look a ton better too.

[Will McClard]

what are SV mirrors ?

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

what are SV mirrors ?

The OEM mirrors from an SV650 (another Suzuki bike)... They can be found on sites like ronayers.com, but most people buy from ebay, or members of SV forums, as they're cheaper used.

[Will McClard]

The OEM mirrors from an SV650 (another Suzuki bike)...

These mirrors seem to be fairing mouted. My bike is 01 so I have to have bar mount.
Perhaps I missed something?
Help

[Egaeus]

That's because you're looking at an SV650S, not an SV650.

[12thmonkey]

Yeah, the naked SV mirrors are a direct-replacement. And just because this thread is on the verge of becoming the obvious debate anyway...i'll go ahead and push it over:

Get the 2nd generation mirrors. They are rectangles and are superior in every way. Round SV mirrors are for suckas.

[squelch]

At different engine speeds mine make different shapes: circles, stars, wobbly rings, etc.
Making interesting spyrograph shapes out of the headlights behind you is half the fun!


The only questions I ask my mirrors, though, are "is something there" and "is it a lot bigger than I am" ...

[GeeP]

I like my mirrors, they don't vibrate very much at speed.  They're also slightly convex like the right mirror on a car, which helps with seeing behind.  However, I don't have the first clue who makes them.  I looked all over for a maker's mark, but was unable to find one.  Anybody know what these are?



I'd provide other photos but the bike is 2,200 miles away.  

Note:  By the time you recognize a cop in your mirror they have already recognized you as a speeder.  

[Will McClard]

OK I found them.
Square sv 650 mirrors, but they are $42 apiece new.
For a hundred bucks after tax shipping ect... I think I will get over it.
I tried taping wieghts to my mirrors thinking that might cut down on the vibration, but it did nothing.
I like the looks of GeeP's mirriors.
Are the ones for the gs called standard 10 MM?

[Alphamazing]

OK I found them.
Square sv 650 mirrors, but they are $42 apiece new.
For a hundred bucks after tax shipping ect... I think I will get over it.
I tried taping wieghts to my mirrors thinking that might cut down on the vibration, but it did nothing.
I like the looks of GeeP's mirriors.
Are the ones for the gs called standard 10 MM?

Standard 10mm mirrors will work, but generic ones will vibrate even more. Go look on eBay for some used SV mirrors or post on SVRiders.com and try to find some. You shouldn't have to pay more than $30 shipped for a set in near-new condition.

[Will McClard]

what d you think of these. I don't think they are OEM sv 650 but fit the sv 650. They look close, with the bend at the base? No clue if they would vibrate

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-SV650-SV-650-1000-JET-BLACK-MINI-MIRRORS-sx_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35580QQitemZ4651496127QQtcZphoto#ebayphotohosting

[Chuck]

I just touch my clutch-side mirror with my clutch hand.  Maybe I'm too lazy.

[Alphamazing]

what d you think of these. I don't think they are OEM sv 650 but fit the sv 650. They look close, with the bend at the base? No clue if they would vibrate

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-SV650-SV-650-1000-JET-BLACK-MINI-MIRRORS-sx_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35580QQitemZ4651496127QQtcZphoto#ebayphotohosting

They look nice, but seem to be of cheap quality. They look like they are made of cheap plastic and might break if you try to reposition them. I tend to stay away from cheap plastic mirrors after the experience my father had with Hagen F-1 mirrors, also made out of cheap black plastic.

[Will McClard]

Thanks for the opinion. I will take it, and wait for real sv 650 type 2 mirrors.
I mounted my bars with rubber gaskets and rubber washers. I have home made risers so it was easy. I was thinking it would help, but it didn't.
I put the bars back to stock to see if they vibrated as much. It might be slightly better but really hard to tell.
Are there any kind of after market bar ends that might do a better job at stopping vibration? How do they work? Are they just weights or do they have a liquid center or some thing?

[Alphamazing]

Thanks for the opinion. I will take it, and wait for real sv 650 type 2 mirrors.
I mounted my bars with rubber gaskets and rubber washers. I have home made risers so it was easy. I was thinking it would help, but it didn't.
I put the bars back to stock to see if they vibrated as much. It might be slightly better but really hard to tell.
Are there any kind of after market bar ends that might do a better job at stopping vibration? How do they work? Are they just weights or do they have a liquid center or some thing?

The amount of rubber in a thin gasket probably isn't much to quell vibrations, or at least not to a noticeable extent. A bunch of aftermarket bar ends are lighter than stock. Heavier does not always mean less vibration, however. For example, with my SM2 bars aftermarket (lighter) bar ends actually have LESS vibration than the stock ones did. It's about resonance frequencies and stuff like that, but if the stock ones vibrate too much try going with some lighter ones. They are cheap and can be found at many local cycle shops.

The bar ends I have are the "expansion rubber" type. A screw goes through the weight, then through a nut, a piece of rubber, and another nut. As you turn the screw the rubber is expanded by the nuts getting closer together. This causes the rubber to push against the inside of the bar effectively keeping it in place with friction. Some afterkarket bar ends have cheap rubber that is somewhat slippery, so try scuffing it lightly (to scrub it in, if you will) with a file or sandpaper first, then mount it. You can also double that effort and use hairspray or grip glue on the rubber to help it stay inside the bar. I've had problems with mine coming out which is why I'm telling you this. I think I've lost 3 bar ends so far, a stocker and 2 aftermarket.

Conversely, the problem might not be hardware. Try gripping the bars less. Your hands should be light on the bars and you shouldn't be putting them in a death grip. The more you squeeze the more vibrations you notice. The less you squeeze the smoother it will be.

Also, if you don't have any gloves (or gloves with no palm padding) you'll notice vibrations more. Gel palmed gloves can help a lot in this matter. Olympia has many varieties of gel padded gloves.

[Will McClard]

My concern with the vibrations is totally about rear view visibility.
I think I will pull my bar ends out to see if they are actually doing anything.