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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: LEVO on January 19, 2005, 06:45:55 PM

Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: LEVO on January 19, 2005, 06:45:55 PM
Is there any way to make these mirrors not to vibrate or some other better aftermarket mirrors.  Impossible to see what is behind at any speed.  Handlebar doesn't vibrate though.  I searched the posts but couldn't find any useful info on how to make the image steady.  Bike has 1600 miles on it.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: geekonabike on January 19, 2005, 07:00:46 PM
Are the mirrors on the fairing?  (In other words, is it an F?)  --Mike D.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: LEVO on January 19, 2005, 07:04:26 PM
It is an 02.  No fairing.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: JetSwing on January 19, 2005, 07:13:37 PM
well, any mirrors will vibrate to certain a degree...even the best ones. i have barend mirrors that cost $60 a piece and they still do vibrate (not as much as the stock though).

one thing you can do is pull in the clutch lever when you're using the mirrors. that will elminate the vibration.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: Daniely on January 19, 2005, 07:19:13 PM
I have CF replacement mirrios on my 01, they vibrate but not enough so that i cant see. Not sure how its so bad on yours...
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: geekonabike on January 19, 2005, 07:20:51 PM
Anyone ever tried heavy bar end weights, or lead-filled bars?  Do they help?  Just curious.  --Mike D.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: LEVO on January 19, 2005, 07:32:18 PM
I try the clutch trick tomorrow to work (benefit of living in San Diego, 80 degrees and wonderfully gorgeous weather).  Thanks for the tip.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: Kerry on January 19, 2005, 07:37:47 PM
Just make sure to let off on the throttle too.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: pixelmonkey on January 19, 2005, 08:31:38 PM
something you might want to consider is rubber mounted bars... these are commonly found for larger diameter bar conversions on dirt bikes. i'm thinking it will raise your bars up an inch, but the viberations to the bars and mirrors will be greatly reduced.

then again... there is something to be said about wind drag
chris<pixelmonkey>:D
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: LEVO on January 19, 2005, 09:26:26 PM
I should also ride my son's TL1000R (it is monster of a bike, scares me).  See how his mirrors are...
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: Eisenfaust on January 20, 2005, 02:19:54 AM
See, I have one aftermarket mirror and one factory mirror.

My factory mirror is far clearer than my aftermarket. In fact, the aftermarket mirror has a higher 'zoom' factor that makes everything huge and seriously narrows the useful field of view... I hate it. I really wish I had a replacement factory mirror... but they're $$$.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: JetSwing on January 20, 2005, 05:14:52 AM
Quote from: EisenfaustSee, I have one aftermarket mirror and one factory mirror.

My factory mirror is far clearer than my aftermarket. In fact, the aftermarket mirror has a higher 'zoom' factor that makes everything huge and seriously narrows the useful field of view... I hate it. I really wish I had a replacement factory mirror... but they're $$$.
what year is your bike?
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: Michael on January 20, 2005, 06:24:11 AM
You'll probably find that there is a particular rev range where the vibration is the worst.  My '01 was really bad about 4500-5000 rpm from new.  Of course, this was where I would run on the highway.  When I put the case guards on, the vibration band was lowered to 4000-4500 rpm.  This meant that at cruising speed the vibes were a lot less and the mirrors useable.  I also now have bar-end mirrors in place of the bob-weights.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: dgyver on January 20, 2005, 06:27:10 AM
Quote from: LEVOI should also ride my son's TL1000R (it is monster of a bike, scares me).  See how his mirrors are...
I never really bother with what is behind me anyway. Plus my elbows cover half of the mirror.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: LEVO on January 20, 2005, 10:06:47 AM
Pulling the clutch and letting go off the throttle helps a little.  Tried it this morning.  This is not something I want to do while changing lanes in traffic though.
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: callmelenny on January 20, 2005, 11:28:41 AM
I don't really notice a problem with vibration in my stock mirrors, maybe my vision is blurry already!

I use stick-on wide angle mirrors to get a better view of what is behind me, they really help that mirror full of shoulder problem. Their wide angle may make the vibes less noticeable too.

(http://www.southwestern.edu/~bolesl/mirror.jpg)
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: JetSwing on January 20, 2005, 02:13:21 PM
Quote from: LEVOPulling the clutch and letting go off the throttle helps a little.  Tried it this morning.  This is not something I want to do while changing lanes in traffic though.
i'm always aware of my surroundings...but when i'm changing lanes, i just do a quick shoulder check (as you should always do)...i uesually use the mirror for who is behind me...
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: GSRider on January 20, 2005, 04:39:49 PM
One thing that I noticed was that one of the biggest reasons why the mirrors vibrate so much is because the mirror stalk is so long. If you can get your hands on shorter stalks (Yamaha cruiser; right side only) it will help. What doesn't help is the fact we are using car mirrors (Seriously folks, look at them!!) it's the flying wall effect. These OEM mirrors tend to give you a lot of turbulence, especially if you are under 6 feet tall (Sans fairing models, anyways).

Don't believe me? Take your mirrors off and go for a spin. :)

When I replaced my mirrors, I wasn't looking for a decent field of view or anything of the sort. No matter how you do it, you're always gonna get a shitty view, and vibes are always present. I have mirrors on my GS because the law says I need them.

Besides. Aren't we trained that you should NEVER trust your mirrors?
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: spotswood_suzuki on January 20, 2005, 05:59:15 PM
I put a set of SV lollipop mirrors on my 97 last year.  They are amazing and I never have had a vibration problem........and they look great! :)

Wayne
Title: Useless OEM mirrors
Post by: Cal Price on January 20, 2005, 09:03:53 PM
The US and European bikes seem to have different stock mirrors but the vibration problem is common. I have used heavy steel bar ends and now have fancy lightweight ones with no discerable difference, mind you as callmelenny said my vision is like that anyway. It is something that you do get used to, after all you just need to know if there is something there not read the registration.