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Vibration 3000 rpm

Dadioh

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Hey everyone.

New owner of a 2016 NC750X Manual transmission Canadian model. I started my motorcycle riding relatively late (5 years ago, now age 60) and began with a new CBR500R which turned out to be a great starter bike. Still really enjoy riding that but my son fell in love with it so I donated it to him. I picked up the NC750X thinking it would be a be probably a more age appropriate commuter bike for me. I ride about 40km back and forth to work each day and the more upright seating position and a Madstad windscreen will make for a more comfortable ride particularly in colder or wetter weather. The 2016 NC750X has 12,000 km on it so not very high mileage and was purchased by original owner in summer 2016.

I am liking the bike but not sure if the vibration that I am feeling through the handlebars is of concern. My CBR500R is silky smooth with barely a buzz at any RPM. Also the 500 pulls strong even when in 6th at 100km/h and want to pass (being lazy about downshifting). My experience with vibration on the NC750X may just be inexperience on my part. I have only ever ridden a handful of bikes so I don't have a breadth of experience with different riding characteristics.

My observations.

Bike is smooth accelerating up to 5th gear and about 100km/h. However, when I shift to 6th at 100km/h and RPM is a little over 3000rpm I am getting a low frequency vibration in the handle bars. Seems like engine frequency, not a high frequency buzz. If I pull in the clutch it goes away so I don't think it is tire balance or suspension related. If I drop back to 5th gear at 100km/h it mostly smooths out. If I use 6th gear at a lower speed and rpm down around 2800 that is smooth. Likewise if I cruise around 120km/h in 6th with rpm up past 3500 then it is likewise smooth. So the rpm range for the vibration is in the 2900-3200 range. Worst with 6th gear but notice it a bit with 5th gear as well.

If I am at 100km/h in 6th and try to accelerate the vibration is worse and acceleration is not great. Seems worse when trying to accelerate.

I don't know if this is just normal or if it could be engine, chain, sprocket, etc...

Would appreciate any thoughts or ideas. Have been enjoying browsing the group and learning as much as I can about my bike.
 

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Is it at 3000 only in 6th gear?

I find 3k is where 'the power' is, so it may be that, but I do feel some chain wobble if you want to call it that in the middle of 6th gear. If the chain is in good shape, greased and maintained, I wouldn't worry too much.
 
Is it at 3000 only in 6th gear?

I find 3k is where 'the power' is, so it may be that, but I do feel some chain wobble if you want to call it that in the middle of 6th gear. If the chain is in good shape, greased and maintained, I wouldn't worry too much.
6th gear is the most noticeable. Can notice it in 5th as well but less so. Haven't really noticed it in the first 4 gears but I only have a few hours experience on the bike and trying to fully characterize it in my mind. I may take it to a mechanic to have a look. I don't know if it is the original chain and some of the threads on here say that the factory chain is not great. Maybe changing the chain isn't a bad option since it does have 12K on it if it is original.

Thanks for the quick reply!
 
I find the motor gives a pronounced pulsing in 6th gear when I open the throttle. More pulse and less acceleration. Shifting to 5th eases this. It’s the characteristic of the motor. I have a 2019 nc750x manual that came stock with a 17 tooth front and 42 tooth rear. Switching to a 16 tooth sprocket in the front on my bike helped ease that sensation and also gave me a more usable 1st for when I’m in the dirt. I will advise that I’ve read threads where the dct model does not like the sprocket change and to keep the stock sprockets.

If I’m above 4K in the revs in 6th, the motor pulls “normal” compared to other twin style motorcycles.

Hope this helps
 
From your photo, I see hand guards installed, but I can’t see if the stock handlebar weights are still in place. I think I see them but I can’t be sure. Vibrations felt in the handlebars give the rider an overall perception of the motorcycle’s smoothness. Are the stock internal and external handlebar weights intact on your motorcycle?
 
I find the motor gives a pronounced pulsing in 6th gear when I open the throttle. More pulse and less acceleration. Shifting to 5th eases this. It’s the characteristic of the motor. I have a 2019 nc750x manual that came stock with a 17 tooth front and 42 tooth rear. Switching to a 16 tooth sprocket in the front on my bike helped ease that sensation and also gave me a more usable 1st for when I’m in the dirt. I will advise that I’ve read threads where the dct model does not like the sprocket change and to keep the stock sprockets.

If I’m above 4K in the revs in 6th, the motor pulls “normal” compared to other twin style motorcycles.

Hope this helps
Yes that is helpful. I will take the highway back after work and get it up to 120KM/h in 6th and see what that is like.
 
From your photo, I see hand guards installed, but I can’t see if the stock handlebar weights are still in place. I think I see them them but can’t be sure. Vibrations felt in the handlebars give the rider an overall perception of the motorcycle’s smoothness. Are the stock internal and external handlebar weights intact on your motorcycle?
I think they are there. See photo below. Just noticed that the left hand guard attaches outside the weight and right seems to attach inside the weight? I have ordered a set of Oxford Hand Heaters as per the advice I saw on this forum. Will hopefully be installing those in a few days. I assume that the weights go back on after putting the heated grips on.
 

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My 2018 750X is very smooth at all speeds, I gotta feeling you have a issue. I do use Grip Puppy foam hand grips that slid over the stock grips mostly to make the grips bigger, but they help with vibration too. I replaced my chain at 12,000 miles, some of the links were frozen.
 
My 2018 750X is very smooth at all speeds, I gotta feeling you have a issue. I do use Grip Puppy foam hand grips that slid over the stock grips mostly to make the grips bigger, but they help with vibration too. I replaced my chain at 12,000 miles, some of the links were frozen.
Yeah I suspect there is something not quite right. I was really expecting it to be comparable to my 500R in terms of smooth acceleration. I am going to have a close look at the chain tonight.
 
I can't imagine it's anything wrong and anything but normal. There are at least 50 threads in here on how the NC700/750X has a pulsing vibration under acceleration or low rpm steady cruuse when the engine is operating in the lower end of the power band. You shouldn't compare it to the CB500's engine - they are totally different in crankshaft design. The 500 has 2 cylinders firing 180 degrees apart like a bicyclist bearing on the crank pedals. The 700/750 has a 270 degree crankshaft with two cylinders firing 90 degrees apart and then 270 degrees apart. Downshift to 5th or 4th instead of loading up the engine by trying to accelerate from 60 mph in 6th.



 
I can't imagine it's anything wrong and anything but normal. There are at least 50 threads in here on how the NC700/750X has a pulsing vibration under acceleration or low rpm steady cruuse when the engine is operating in the lower end of the power band. You shouldn't compare it to the CB500's engine - they are totally different in crankshaft design. The 500 has 2 cylinders firing 180 degrees apart like a bicyclist bearing on the crank pedals. The 700/750 has a 270 degree crankshaft with two cylinders firing 90 degrees apart and then 270 degrees apart. Downshift to 5th or 4th instead of loading up the engine by trying to accelerate from 60 mph in 6th.



I went for a bit of a highway trip with my son (to whom I gave my 500R). I found the lowest vibration at 100km/h is to stay in 5th which puts it at around 4000rpm. Or accelerate to 120km/h and put it in 6th. Reading your links it sounds like this is normal around 3000rpm. Mostly noticeable in 6th gear. Ok at 2800rpm and ok at 3600rpm so it is a resonance at 3000. The one link you shared mentions the clutch plate and to prove it you slightly engage the clutch and if it goes away then that is it. I will try that tomorrow on my commute.

If it turns out to be normal I will probably just get used to it and do 6th gear to save gas.

Chalk it up to my lack of experience with different bikes. This will just be the “unique character” of the bike. I am still hoping I get used to the extremely firm seat on longer trips. Might look into a solution for that at some point.

I am loving all the other positive aspects of the bike. Especially the tall windscreen in our current cold spring weather. Don’t need my earplugs anymore for wind noise.

Many thanks for the help. Great group of people
 
From your photo, I see hand guards installed, but I can’t see if the stock handlebar weights are still in place. I think I see them but I can’t be sure. Vibrations felt in the handlebars give the rider an overall perception of the motorcycle’s smoothness. Are the stock internal and external handlebar weights intact on your motorcycle?
 
I felt that the sweet spot for me to shift from 5th to 6th was about 105km/hr. It is a bit of a different shift for me as the bike is reving higher and I am holding the 5th longer than the other gears. I just didn't feel like I had the same pull from the throttle when I shifted lower than that. Welcome from the West Coast.
 
I can't imagine it's anything wrong and anything but normal. There are at least 50 threads in here on how the NC700/750X has a pulsing vibration under acceleration or low rpm steady cruuse when the engine is operating in the lower end of the power band. You shouldn't compare it to the CB500's engine - they are totally different in crankshaft design. The 500 has 2 cylinders firing 180 degrees apart like a bicyclist bearing on the crank pedals. The 700/750 has a 270 degree crankshaft with two cylinders firing 90 degrees apart and then 270 degrees apart. Downshift to 5th or 4th instead of loading up the engine by trying to accelerate from 60 mph in 6th.



Thank you!

I'll say it again. Worry less, ride more! If something is ever actually WRONG with a motorcycle, especially the engine or transmission, it will be more than apparent. Different types of engines make different sounds and different vibrations. Keep riding, there's nothing wrong with your NC or there would be threads all over the web with great findings of issues causing vibrations. They all do it in lower RPM's. Just a characteristic of the 270 degree crank as dduelin stated.

Ride on and enjoy your motorcycle, don't worry about the normal vibrations.
 
I have a 2019 NC750X manual and I can confirm that the bike likes shifting into 6th gear above 100km/hr, anyhting less than that gives more vibration than acceleration.
 
I went for a bit of a highway trip with my son (to whom I gave my 500R). I found the lowest vibration at 100km/h is to stay in 5th which puts it at around 4000rpm. Or accelerate to 120km/h and put it in 6th. Reading your links it sounds like this is normal around 3000rpm. Mostly noticeable in 6th gear. Ok at 2800rpm and ok at 3600rpm so it is a resonance at 3000. The one link you shared mentions the clutch plate and to prove it you slightly engage the clutch and if it goes away then that is it. I will try that tomorrow on my commute.

If it turns out to be normal I will probably just get used to it and do 6th gear to save gas.

Chalk it up to my lack of experience with different bikes. This will just be the “unique character” of the bike. I am still hoping I get used to the extremely firm seat on longer trips. Might look into a solution for that at some point.

I am loving all the other positive aspects of the bike. Especially the tall windscreen in our current cold spring weather. Don’t need my earplugs anymore for wind noise.

Many thanks for the help. Great group of people
I didn't want to come off as one of those guys that pop off a "do a search first before asking questions". For a new member that has be the kind of response that is not helpful and puts this forum in a bad light. Regrettably I do respond harshly sometimes and I don't like that about myself.

One of the things that I think is unique to the NC700/750 is that it appeals to two disparate types of riders. One group has a short riding resume and is building experience and the NC might be one of their first motorcycles. The other group is more seasoned possessing longer riding resumes often with many different types of motorcycles. The NC fits a certain set of criteria for both groups and somehow the intersection of differing criteria brings us together on a singular machine that is not even a blip on many riders' radars. There is a lot of experience here to be shared and I look forward to your contributions to the forum.

Myself, I rather like the gentle pulsing vibration of the NC engine. It "talks" to me and reminds me a motorcycle, unlike most cars and even some motorcycles, is a visceral experience that is meant to be felt throughout my senses. When it is unhappy it tells me so, yet it will pull those low rpms when asked to do so.
 
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I didn't want to come off as one of those guys that pop off a "do a search first before asking questions". For a new member that has be the kind of response that is not helpful and puts this forum in a bad light. Regrettably I do respond harshly sometimes and I don't like that about myself.

One of the things that I think is unique to the NC700/750 is that it appeals to two disparate types of riders. One group has a short riding resume and is building experience and the NC might be one of their first motorcycles. The other group is more seasoned possessing longer riding resumes often with many different types of motorcycles. The NC fits a certain set of criteria for both groups and somehow the intersection of differing criteria brings us together on a singular machine that is not even a blip on many riders' radars. There is a lot of experience here to be shared and I look forward to your contributions to the forum.

Myself, I rather like the gentle pulsing vibration of the NC engine. It "talks" to me and reminds me a motorcycle, unlike most cars and even some motorcycles, is a visceral experience that is meant to be felt throughout my senses. When it is unhappy it tells me so, yet it will pull those low rpms when asked to do so.
No offence taken at all. I do appreciate the help. I was just making sure that there wasn’t some mechanical issue that I needed to address. Having got a few hours of riding the NC under my belt i am adjusting my shifting to accommodate. I actually do like the feel of the engine. Very different from my 500R but there is a nicer growl from this motor that I appreciate. There are 3 types of road that I ride. When travelling 120km/h I ride in 6th and that has no vibration. If riding on the 100km/h roads I just stay in 5th at around 4000rpm and that is very smooth. In town at 60-80km/h I am mostly in 4th.

Also I am riding this bike without ear plugs so I hear a lot more of the engine and I do like the sound. I wear a Schubert C4 Modular helmet that I chose specifically because it was quiet (compared to other cheaper helmets) but the wind noise on my 500R just wasn’t comfortable so I wore the ear plugs. With the Madstad windshield the wind noise is minimal.

Falling in love with the bike. I am sure it is a keeper.
 
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