I rode mine all the way from Key West, Fl to Houston, Tx. Mostly all interstate, I10. About 1350 miles.

The best thing you can do is go faster. About 5200 revs and it smooths out. That and a simple throttle lock made it doable.

 

That is a long ride for sure. I will experiment with different RPMs.
I saw one thread on the Vibranators...

 

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.

 

Best thing to do is avoid any highways or straight roads! Although contrary to that, back on my previous Duke I did a trip which included about 7000kms of absolutely straight never ending horizon roads, i just cruised around 120-140kmh(~85mph) and didn't really suffer from much numbness.
But any other trips around 500kms i try best to go on bends, never get numb having fun in the twisties!
I doubt there's anything on the market that'll stop the vibes in the bars, that's why they invented cars i think lol

 

Get a 2016 - super smooth. :grin2:

 

I see you have owned a nice mix of bikes. Is the 16 Duke your true love?

 

North of 5000 is where mine smooths out.

 

Change ignition timing with a power commander or Bazzazz and run either the stock exhaust with the cat or the full akra.


Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

I have the full Akra, cam and map etc. and i find the bike is smoother with the baffle in. But, that baffle out sound is just so sweet.

 

Bike has a full arrow exhaust, no re-mapping that I know, stock air box, no add-on ECU. I have varied the rpms, no apparent "sweet spot" for me. Central Indiana is pretty flat, takes an hour to get to the good roads in southern Indiana. If I could stop the vibes it would be the perfect bike for me...

 

What about a bar snake? Anyone tried one on their Duke? I also get a little numbness in the right hand, but not as bad as when the bike was in its stock form.

 

I have noticed that a lot of the threads concerning vibration result in numbness of the right hand. I think this may be a combination of the vibration and the heavy throttle spring. I know that when I go down a hill, I take the opportunity to take my right hand off the throttle and give it a break.

As someone has already mentioned, a simple throttle stop would help a lot to help relax the the right hand.

 

Here is another trick, 20+ years old.

Old age: you start thinking about a problem, come up with a brilliant idea, you are really proud of your cleverness, then later realize you did this to other bikes long time ago. Really Dumbass? Yeah, really!

If your right hand gets more numb than your left, it is probably due to excess clearance between the throttle tube ID and your handle bar OD. I have measured a couple bikes with handle bar diameter = 0.870" and throttle tube ID = 0.910, or 0.04" of diametrical clearance.

Get some UHMW bearing tape (McMaster.com, pn 76445A722, 0.005" thick) and in 3 equally spaced places, wrap your handle bar with a couple loops of tape. One wrap increases handle bar diameter/reduces clearance by 0.010". Wrap an extra turn more than you think you need.

Slip the throttle tube over the tape, it should have virtually no clearance, but still turn freely enough to not bind so that the throttle return spring does not allow the throttle to stay open. If it is too tight unwind 1/2 to 1 turn at a time until you get little or no clearance, but no binding.

Re-assemble your throttle and test that the throttle returns by itself before riding.

give it a shot.

 

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

.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.

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.

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.

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

 

My VFR1200F seems to work well to reduce vibes at freeway speeds, can hardly tell the thing is running.

Alternatively don't grip hard on your bars. I have stock gearing on my 2014 and don't really have issue with mine and have done 450 miles in a day on it of mixed riding. .


Seriously though if I am doing miles I go on the VFR which is a joy on the freeway. Wind protection really makes a difference also.

 

I have to agree that the throttle requires a firmer grip as it s only my right hand that goes numb. I have tried a very light grip, moving my hand around, nah. Numbness ensues.
I found a "Karaokte"? Throttle stop that apparently screws in in place of the bar end weight. $141 US. May try a $10 "cramp buster" first.
It would be nice to have another bike for longer rides, but I would REALLY just like to ride the Duke for as far as I want without a numb hand after a half hour.
If I could figure this out I would add a rear rack, Madstat windshield, and a seat upgrade and be all set!

 

Or areas of Texas where the speed limit is 80 mph and everyone drives 90.

 

Well, my father simply can't imagine revving anything over 6000 so short shifting there appalls him. The legacy of 50's MG's and Triumphs.

The GS isn't slow or wasn't the last time I rode it. Been a while. 1960 design brakes are just scary in the Phila. sub-exurban area.

 

That BSA is a beauty and I stole the pic to send it to my brother. But, I agree on the brakes. I had a brand new 1967 BSA Lightning Rocket (in 1967, of course) and it had poor brakes. For 1968 BSA added a double leading shoe front brake which was much better. But, by 1968 I had the first year Suzuki 500 Titan which had a good double leading shoe front brake and the first year porting and carbs. It was a real runner and stopped far better than the BSA.

Ah, the good old days........

 

As to the good old days, there was an old racer around here who had owned all the 'good' stuff, AJS 7R, Norton Manx, etc. Once as he went through the list someone said "wow, don't you wish you still had all of those?" He replied, "hell no, they were terrible motorcycles, they build good ones today." And he said that at least a decade ago...

 

Interesting history lesson.
Test rode a 390 Duke today, it had nowhere near the handlebar vibrations of my 2015 690.
Is it possible or at all likely the vibes may lessen as the engine wears in?

 

I think the topic of vibes needs to be revisited in a new thread, expect one from me soon.

You are 1. blending 390 with 690 - comparing apples and oranges and 2. maybe confusing high compression piston thump with vibration - not so sure on that one and why I want to open a thread on the matter.

I see no reason why the engine would not change its characteristics as it wears in. Yes - I vote - possible.

 

I say just get over it, keep an eye over the oil level and ride it like you stole it.
I had a standard Duke for close to 40000km,thought it was ok till i rode a Honda 500x,then you realise what vibration is lol
But, a year or so after not having one I've now got the Duke R,still vibrates but,omg such fun!!
If you want smooth get a smooth design, if you want fun, enjoy the Duke, and don't ride slow, you'll not notice any vibration when your hanging on with a big grin

 

The 2016 is remarkably smooth. I demo'd one last Saturday. It also has nearly the same poke stock as mine does with a full system and FI mod.

 

OK, let's start a vibration thread to end all threads.:laugh2: I would like to know what helps. Elastomer risers, bar weights, vibranator, best grips, etc.
I appreciate the owner's inputs on the 2016. I am sorely tempted as I see this as my "everything" bike.
I just threw in the 390 test so I knew the difference in the vibration levels (at the handlebars).
Edited to add: When I bought this 2015 690 I was looking for the best power to weight ratio = fun factor. Single, twin, triple, I don't care. Light weight, good power. KTM has opened my eyes wide!

 

My '14 changes almost daily. Some days I think it's so smooth how can anyone complain. Than the next day it's so unpleasant I cut the ride short.

 

I think one can change the sprockets to achieve the desired speed at a certain RPM, when one rides most on the highways.

 

Smart old guy?

That sounds like a brilliant idea!! Well done!
My troubles with hand numbing and arm pump were eliminated after carpal tunnel surgery.
I can relate to the discomfort caused by handlebar vibration. I think your idea arrests the problem at its source. Other methods may help as part of the soloution. I will be trying your method on my off road bike. Thanks.
Best Regards