My 2007 has the same issue. It is driving me insane. I have tried everything. The dealer says it the nature of the beast.. If any other vehicle I've ever owned made that kind of clattering, I would park it till the engine was replaced. This is ridiculous. I want to get rid of it.

First of all... I almost didn't buy my used R* because the very first time I test rode it before purchase, it made so many noises and vibrated so much, I thought it must be defective (it only had 3,100 miles). I thought only 1 cylinder was firing!Haha

A friend who was more familiar with them said it was completely 'normal'. The price was so good I bought it.

Here are the points. It's engineered to emulate a you-know-what, so it's supposed to make the right noises and to vibrate the right amount. Get used to it... it's all part of the R* charm.

Next, if you suspect the valves... adjust them. It's a bit time consuming, but get them right once, use good oil and change it often enough, you may not need to ever adjust them again.

Third, if the performance seems adequate/normal, it's probably running as it is supposed to, as poor valve performance will certainly translate into poor engine power/performance.

Hope this helps. mine shakes and rattles and makes all kinds of sounds, but does it ever run! Starts, pulls and cruises without a fault.

mine makes noise, but first take the headlight apart a reasemble, it will usually be the culpret, the motor on all 1600, 1700 roadstars rattle, like a singet sewing machine, i kind of like it

I have read others refer to it as sounding somewhat like a sewing machine, and I have to completely agree. Mine does too!

But, with this one caveat... with the stock exhaust, it's annoying, especially behind a windshield! Put a nice rumbling aftermarket exhaust on and it is downright charming! I now listen for the different sounds that come forth at different rpms/speeds. That's how I know its running healthy!

I'm feeling better once reading these last few posts. And since writing the original post I had an interesting observation. I bought the bike in the fall and it was always cool when riding and I never noticed this noise.

I'm in Texas and due to my schedule I almost always ride in the heat now. And the chatter is loud! Until this last weekend! Got up early and headed out while it was rather cool. No noise. Stopped for a bite and some fuel and it was getting warmer out. Noticed over at the bank it was 86 degrees now. And lo and behold the chatter started again. It's posible the bike always sounded this way (when hot) but I never noticed this during the cooler months.

To be on the safe side I'm going to let Yamaha check her out. Since one of the dealers claims the other had a quart and a half too much oil in my bike I'm gonna play it safe.

Thanks Guys, I'll keep you posted.

I'll jump onboard also. My 2007 Make noises too, but you'd feel better if you heard the noises that come from my brothers' Victory. Seems every different type bike will have a different type of engine sound. Mine kind has a high pitch chirp unlike the constant high pitch whine of the VTX or the click clank whir of a Victory. I ride with 6 other guys, all have diffirent bikes and different engine soumds amd bike vibrations.
My 2 cents worth

completely 'normal'. The price was so good I bought it.

Here are the points. It's engineered to emulate a you-know-what, so it's supposed to make the right noises and to vibrate the right amount. Get used to it... it's all part of the R* charm.

Next, if you suspect the valves... adjust them. It's a bit time consuming, but get them right once, use good oil and change it often enough, you may not need to ever adjust them again.

Third, if the performance seems adequate/normal, it's probably running as it is supposed to, as poor valve performance will certainly translate into poor engine power/performance.

Hope this helps. mine shakes and rattles and makes all kinds of sounds, but does it ever run! Starts, pulls and cruises without a fault.[/quote]

DITTO!

i guess if i would have been able to ride a demo i would not have this bike.
the noises and clattering only appeared when on the road.

if the salesman would have told me it's going to vibrate and make a bunch of noises
and your right leg will roast, i would have walked away.

he told me it was a smooth ride, more like a little rumble.

wel, i own it now, (my wife gave me the down payment for our annversary)
and maybe the dealer service dept. can find something to improve the vibes and noises.
they've had it 2 days with a pretty extensive list i wrote up.
one good thing is i bought an extended warranty: four years

i think my bike's noises are excessive, and i still ride a 650 BSA, which is the king of vibration and noise.
you can't see the spokes at a stop light....

i got to say though, the bike is a beautiful looking machine.

cat

That's exactly part of the problem. I have nothing to compare it to. They claim the fuel injected 08's sound completely different. The dealer said he would try to get his hands on a used Road Star and let me take it for a spin. Still waiting.

P.S. Tried the Mobil 1 suggestion tonight and its not any better.

I guess life can't be all that bad if we are debating on the engine noise of our 1700 V twin.

Amen Guys?