Smoothest motor (no vibration)?

[JMD]

What is the smoothest race-ready woods bike out there? By smooth, I mean the least vibration through the bars. By race-ready I mean a competent woods racer, not a DR Z400, or an XR or anything like that.

I have carpal tunnel syndrome, so I'm very sensitive to vibration in my hands. I ride a KTM 300, and even with Fasstco bar inserts and Pro-Tapers, it vibrates too much for me to tolerate. I'm considering a KTM 400, because I think it will be much smoother and easier on my hands. Another idea is a Gas Gas EC; they are reportedly extremely smooth motors (counterbalanced?). But I'm open to suggestions. What's the smoothest bike out there?

 

[kooade]

I have a gas gas ec 250, gas gas xc 300, and a atk lq250. The Atk by far has the least ribrations. It feels like an electric engine.

 

[jeb]

For 2 strokes, it'd be the counter balanced GG250 that Jim Cook owns. Very smooth. However, US bound GG's have not had CB's since 98 or 99. You can retrofit them and I know Jim Cook of www.smackovermotorsports.com is working to get them installed as an option.

My 400EXC is very smooth. It also has a CB and it works great. At very high RPM, it's got a little vibration but I don't go there often and it's not bad at all. I really notice how buzzy ALL the 2 strokes are when I switch with people on the trails now that I've been riding the 400.

I don't have CTS but I'm very sensitive to vibration, too. I see it in hand numbness (not arm pump) when I ride bikes that have a lot of vibration. This problem is virtually eliminated for me one the 400.

 

[JMD]

John, that is exactly the answer I was hoping for. I have put in a few brief rides on the RFS machines, but not long enough to know how my hands would hold up in comparison. If the 400 is significantly less buzzy than the 300, a set of Fasstco inserts and a triple clamp with rubber-damped bar mounts might eliminate the tingle.

The DRZ 400s are super-smooth, I know. But I don't like the idea of the extra weight, along with the heavy infusions of money to make them competitive.

I may try the rubber triple clamp idea on my 300 first. Then, if that doesn't work, I may have to buy a new 400. At least that's the story my wife will hear, and I'm sticking to it.

 

[GlennP]

The '01 and '02 GasGas have an ecentric weight on the primary side of the crank, to help balance the crank and reduce vibration. I installed one on my '00 and it made a noticable difference, although not as good as the original counterbalancer. I'd still say for a new racing 2-stroke the GG is the smoothest. I'm somewhat sensitive to, and switched from a KTM300 to a GG250. Instant improvement in comfort and results.

I read a test from an Austrialian mag on a preproduction Husky TE250. They claim its the smoothest running motor they have ever ridden (really emphasized this point), no vibration, and makes unreal power for a 250 stroker. Fred Hoess also rode one in the ISDE with no problems and loved it. The price is good, and if the quality is like the 2-strokes it will be a winner. My local dealer already has all the '02s sold. If the production bikes end up as good as they say I'm getting on the list for an '03.

 

[Offroadr]

Originally posted by GlennP
If the production bikes end up as good as they say I'm getting on the list for an '03.

say it isnt so! :eek:

 

[Anssi]

My -02 520 SX does vibrate, but it's not a buzz like the two-strokes. I used to get the numbness on CR5s and YZ250, but not on the 520. Also, the vibration is most obvious by far in the upper revs, and even there it seems to have gotten a bit less intensive as I have broken the engine in.

 

[RoadRunner]

My 380 doesn't vibrate like a 250 or 300 2-stroke. It's more like a harley. I find that the sharp little vibes 125's give off bother me, but the big, nasty, leave the 380 idling on the stand and it walks across the yard type vibrations don't bother me. I have rubber mounted bars though. The bars are lots better, but the levers still dance all over when it's running. I don't know how bad it is without rubber bar mounts as the bike came with them.

 

[ride_red_15]

i think the KDX is extremely smoothe. and its a good racing bike