So I'm new to the Roadstar world (1 month)and love it so far. I'm also new to clinic so please bare with the new guy. This is my first v twin and I'm hearing noises that I'm not sure about. The noises I'm hearing can be broken up in two catagories. One can best be described as a belt whinning sound during exeleration, and even during normal crusing speeds. The other sound happens when I'm in the middle of a gear, not getting "on it"...but just crusing. Duing that time, I hear what sounds like the piston slapping around in the cylinder and it has me a little concerned. Now I've been around engines a long time and am "tuned" in to every little noise, but again, my first V-twin. Does this make sense? Is anyone else getting this??

Thanks

BTW.... it's a 2005 with 5500 miles on it

First
I also have a 2005 and it is a noisy beast. When I first got it, like you, I thought it was making too much noise but came to find out its just the nature of the beast. As far as the belt noise I don't think I've heard that, or just don't know what I'm hearing. Any way I really like mine and have spent gobs of money in upgrades. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have mine.



Moondog

I found out that if my rear tire is a little low on air pressure that it whines some. try checking the tire pressure first. It is an easy and cheap check.

Stan

I too have a 2005, and experienced the noises from the engine as well. Synthetic oil shut it right up. Recommend reading some of the many oil threads on the forum tab above (technical corner/maintenance).

The lifters make a noise like a sewing machine... Is this what you're hearing, when you say it sounds like a piston slapping around?

Welcome to the Clinic, and welcome to the world of Road Star.

I have a 2007 R and was very surprised(and concerned)about the "noises" it makes as well. As far as the whinning noise I'll tell you that the belt and brake rotors can put off quite a bit of noise. The rotors are dilled (like most) and can sound like a bunch of angry bees.

As far as the chatter during cruising, I'm still blown away that this is "normal". Some of the guys in the clinic will joke about the concern which was a little frustrating. But, they are probably the guys who have had very little, if any trouble from their R's. I can't blame them. But as a "newbie" with very little miles, you want to get a problem corrected sooner than later. As the son of a mechanic and someone who raced bikes you tend to "follow your ears" if you know what I mean.

Some say it's the heavy crank. Some say it the valve train. Some say it's "normal". But I will tell you I have had no mechanical problems in 7000 miles. Let us know if you find anything new, but it sure sounds like the Road Star has been one of the more reliable bikes out there.

When first I got my '05 new I thought it sounded like an old Fuller & Johnson hit and miss engine. About to pump a rod out of the case in other words. Then again all the air cooled bikes, and sleds, I've had were noisy.

Don't know if this helps or not but I've beat the snot out of this thing since I got it and haven't had any trouble. It's not any louder now then it was when new and if it was going to blow up I'd think it would have by now.

I love those old hit an miss engines..just fire when needed.. but I'm glad my R* doesn't run like one..

Air-cooled engines are a little looser and noisier than water cooled so most of the slapping and knocking and whirring is normal. I rode Harleys for a long time and always thought they were going to come apart. My Roadie is quieter than any of them were.

Seriously, the best advice is to get used to the noises that you hear now. They are almost surely the normal sounds that our bikes make. Then if you ever hear something new you can pick it out of the rest.

EDIT: One more point that I would like to make. After knowing how my bike sounded and how it ran when I first got it; a bike that is jetted correctly, maybe has the manifold ported and is basically tuned to run the most efficiently will run smoother and quieter.