What Works for Vibration at Freeway Speeds?

The vibes that numb my hands is my only real gripe with my 2015. I can deal with the soft under dampened suspension, but numb hands actually hinder my control of the motorcycle. Let's face it, it is quite shaker.

I avoid the freeway and try to remember to have a light grip on the controls. I have found that shaking increases with loads as well. On my bike, it is the least obnoxious at 4100-4300 RPM, which with my 15/42 gears is sort of around 55 mph, which is the general non-freeway speed limit in California. So, easy cruising on the straights and connecting roads fall naturally at less than arrest me speeds and gets 50+ miles per gallon fuel economy. Anyone can ride fast in a straight line, so, what's the hurry? Funny but I don't seem to notice the vibrations when the road gets curvy with only short straights at best. I figure that if you are planning to do a lot of high speed highway riding, a 690 Duke might not be the best choice of bike out there because if there were some easy way to get rid of the shakes, other than a 2016, I am sure that we would have heard of it by now.

After reading that 5000 RPM was a smooth spot I hit the freeway today to test it out, and it did seem to be a good freeway RPM, perhaps because vibrations were higher in frequency. I am sure that it still would numb my hands with time. With 15/42 gearing, 5000 RPM is an indicated 70 mph, so it works OK for stints on the freeway if they are necessary.

Still I only went about a total of 35 miles today due to both the heat and the fact that both my hands went so numb that it worried me. But, I have bad carpel tunnel, so I am sure that most people would not get as numbed up as I do.

But, after scientific testing, 5000 RPM on the freeway felt like it was as good as any speed as far as vibration goes. But, with stock 16/40 gearing, 5000 RPM would be 78+ MPH (125/hr of those strange metric units), which might get a ticket in many locations.

It also felt odd to be buzzing a giant 690cc single along at 5000 RPM, but, apparently, the KTM was not aware of this as it seemed happy at those RPM's. It is a strange thumper that idles at 1700 RPM, won't run below 3000 RPM without bucking, and that will run 5000 RPM, or more, all day long. And it got 50+ miles per gallon and the temp gauge never quite got to the final bar even in city stop and go.

Carpel Tunnel and Funny Engine Speeds

Tetge said:

.Still I only went about a total of 35 miles today due to both the heat and the fact that both my hands went so numb that it worried me. But, I have bad carpel tunnel, so I am sure that most people would not get as numbed up as I do.

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I am willing to bet my crown jewels that you do NOT have carpel tunnel syndrome. I am willing to bet that under your shoulders, at the back of your armpits, and around your elbows, that your muscles are spastically tight. I am willing to bet your hands go to sleep when you sleep on your sides.

I can be fixed easily. But it is hard finding someone who knows how to. I have some DIY hints if you are interested.

Tetge said:

It is a strange thumper that idles at 1700 RPM, won't run below 3000 RPM without bucking, and that will run 5000 RPM, or more, all day long. And it got 50+ miles per gallon and the temp gauge never quite got to the final bar even in city stop and go.

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One of the best observations made about the Duke - ever.