2015 to 2018 models

[Philj69]

Hi all, has anyone on the forum  gone from a 2015 model to a 2018 model. What was your opinion between the differences and are they enough. Does it handle better? And how about the vibrations

[richy.m.obrien]

I test rode a 2015 and a 2018 bike and the difference was phenominal.  The 15 bike, regardless of having the rubber mounted handlebars vibrated badly between 4k and 6k RPM.  The 2018 bike is smooth as silk and alhough you can feel the bike vibrating (as you can all bikes) it was miniscule in comparison.  I would describe the 18 bike as refined and not a bike with a vibration issue at all.

[Winger]

I got that difference between a 15 demo bike and my early 16 only to be told the previous demo bike would shake your fillings out.

[Bree]

Originally Posted by richy.m.obrien

I test rode a 2015 and a 2018 bike and the difference was phenominal.  The 15 bike, regardless of having the rubber mounted handlebars vibrated badly between 4k and 6k RPM.  The 2018 bike is smooth as silk and alhough you can feel the bike vibrating (as you can all bikes) it was miniscule in comparison.  I would describe the 18 bike as refined and not a bike with a vibration issue at all.

This has been such a topic of conversation. My 15 Reg does not have a Vibe problem, yes it has Vibes but no more than you would expect. From any bike. It really must be down to individual bikes, rather than a built in problem ?

[bnalz]

Rode a 2016 XR and 2018 back to back for approximately 30 minutes
Each , couldn’t tell any difference between the the two. Loved them both
And I have not ridden a 2015. I have been fortunate enough to ride several
Of this model and really think the vibe thing at least on the 16 to 18 models
Is really overblown. Are their vibes ? Yes are they annoying or excessive? No
 
It’s a high RPM in-line 4 cylinder engine,not supposed to be or marketed as
a GS or RT. If you’re main concern is smooth power buy a Gold Wing not a performance oriented sport tourer. Pretty simple in my opinion.

[Patrick Bateman]

Bree is on the money - it does come down to the individual bike.

My 16 had terrible handlebar buzz when I first picked it up - painfully numb hands for hours after an 60mins on the freeway.
Yes it is a high-revving sportsbike but it shouldn't be that bad. If left unchecked for long periods, this could contribute to VWF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibration_white_finger
Has taken a fair bit of focking around with bar ends, mount rubbers and ball bearings  to sort it out but now the vibes are gone.

[smithy]

I was reasonably lucky I guess, my 17 model which has the revised bar rubbers was only marginally vibey when new, after around 2000km, it was a lot better, still there but not enough to bother me. I've since fitted some Evotech bar ends and it's much improved, so much so that I don't even think about it now.

Smithy.

[scotti]

Had the '15, got the '18 - not a blind bit of difference.  And that is a good thing.

[PaulS1000XR]

I have a 17 and refitted the HVMP bar ends which I had purchased for my 15 XR and no vibration on the 17 model. Vibrations on the 15 were fairly bad, particularly the mirror blur.

[Gairo]

This subject is well, erm... subjective lol
Lets face it, we're all different, we all have different tolerance levels and some people can live with it, some can't, an older V twin will rattle your fillings out and yet they're still ridden in their thousands throughout the world I'm sure. I seem to recall the media making quite a fuss about the vibration 'problem' and once they've sunk their teeth into something, its there for the consumer to dwell on. It's there on my 2016 but its no better or worse than the 2018 demo I rode 2 weeks prior to buying mine.