grinding noise

[sparko]

I have a new 2014  (1800 miles now). When I was shopping a few mos. ago I looked at an almost new valk 1832.at a Honda dealer. I listened to it and asked about the noise. The salesman said they all sound that way even new in showroom. It scared me off. Long story short; I bought a new off S.R.floor. Guess what ? It sounds like grinding coffee?? ball bearings???  Weird!!!  O.K. I believe this bike will run 50,000 miles w/o a problem, it a Honda . but every time I ride It bugs me why a wonderful motor sounds like this. (transmission). WHY????????

[hungryeye]

Its hard to describe a sound in a post, just make sure it has oil in it and ride to the service dept. and let them listen. Mine has louder internal noise when started cold for maybe 8-10 seconds. I am certain mine will go 300,000 miles with no trouble.

[Robert]

I know what you mean about the noises but at the start let me assure you that its normal.

  Before I bought my bike and I would listen to the wings and they would all make a characteristic whine noise. When I got mine and before it had many miles the bike would make the whine but it would also make some other noises that were concerning. One was almost like a bad bearing in 3rd, another of course was the whine, another a tap occasionally. Now that I have almost 20k on the bike all the noises have settled down,  it sounds like a wing with just the whiny noise left over. It did take awhile and occasionally, I swear I do hear vague remnants of those noises. One noise at first was particularly troubling was the sound of what I perceived as the chain on the timing chain rails. It was like a grumble type of noise and could even slightly feel it. I pulled the clutch in and the noise did not go away so I knew it wasn't transmission. I put on a timing chain chrome cover at about 7k miles so I got a chance to look inside and check the timing chain rails and thought for sure I would see some bare metal with shavings of some sort. But what I saw was everything was in perfect condition. NO bare metal, no excessive wear, NO shavings of any sort and everything clean and in good order.

  If you have any concern's then find someone with a wing since there are many around and listen to the bike. Or find a local dealer and ride by and ask them is there anything wrong.  Its doesn't help either that when you drain the oil for the first time you will see much in the way of shiny metallic gold shimmer in the oil. That coupled with the noises is enough to drive a OCD type of person off the edge. LOL. But at 1800 miles mine was not any different from when it drove off the factory floor. It will take at least 8k for things to simmer a bit and a comfort factor to set in.

  But now after deciding to say the heck with it and with 20k doing 80 or any speed is a true joy. I LOVE the sound the engine makes, I love my bike and I dont know of any other bike or car that makes quite the same sound.

 It has at least a 3year unlimited mile warranty, and you did mention it to the dealer to listen too so dont worry. Its like your first born child that you fuss over and ever little noise or movement you call the dr, so its the same with these bikes. I'm pretty sure things are a bit tight in the engine when we first get them. In time and miles things work together to fit and work properly. But in the beginning things wearing to each other may be the thing that makes some noise. They do have a break in oil in the bike hence the gold shimmer oil, if they have this then things are still wearing in and actually polishing to each other. 

[bscrive]

Sparko, put on a louder exhaust and the sounds will go away. 

[Smithim]

Ooooh the noises of this bike, they are different from any other I've had. I'm real close to 6k miles now and what Robert described is exactly the types of things I hear. The bike runs well though, the engine has the power it should. The transmission shifts damn slow but it isn't a sport bike so I can't be too surprised by that.

Sparko can you make a sound clip? I might try to get one made tomorrow since this topic comes up a bit and I want to make sure I'm not crazy.

I hope Robert is right about the sounds going away because other 1800 wings I hear sound so smooth and crisp.

[Robert]

Wings have more noise cancelling fairing and shields than our bike do. Most have more miles on them also. AS for shifting keep experimenting they do shift fast but again its not the same as most bikes.

[st2sam]

Sparko, "your at 1800mi. now", I would change the oil ASAP.

I changed my oil at 2000mi., night and day difference as far as shifting smoothness was.

HOWEVER, as far as grinding noise? Never heard any noise what I would call unusual or that would be of concern.

- just make sure it has oil in it - I am certain mine will go 300,000 miles with no trouble.

Hungryeye makes two very good points, especially the first one...

Oh, and as far as what brand oil???  (I ain't go'in there  )

[goldstar903]

Sparko, "your at 1800mi. now", I would change the oil ASAP.

Oh, and as far as what brand oil???  (I ain't go'in there  )

[/b][/u]

Shhh! Don't let Adrian know! Most appreciated, Sam!

[Robert]

Sparko, "your at 1800mi. now", I would change the oil ASAP.

Oh, and as far as what brand oil???  (I ain't go'in there  )

[/b][/u]

Shhh! Don't let Adrian know! Most appreciated, Sam!

 

[woofred1832]

                      I changed oil at 1500 miles to a good full synthetic, both in engine and final drive, and the engine smoothed out shifting improved, and most of the wine from the rear went away.  I now have over 20, 000 miles on it and it gets better all the time. LOVE this bike and am sure it will be the last bike I will ever have to buy. I just turned 67 and have had 9 bike in my riding since I was 18, and over 130, 000 miles. Not alot compaired to some other riders I know, but I plan to ride until I can't put my leg over it and feel good. Others go to trikes but that's not an option for me........ ride safe .........

[ledany]

Don't worry woofred, if you are patient (and have some $$$$$$$$ left  ), you know that bikes won't need to be ridden the way you use to :


No legs with this one :



No arms with that one :


Until then, personnally, as I am in good health, I'd like to ride this one