Should my Bike whistle?

[quark]

Hi all,

Its great finally being able to go out on my new bike, an 09 er6-f.

I've only covered 50m so far, not much I know, but I plan to do a lot more as the weather allows.

Anyway it's all good so far and it rides well, but as it's my first bike I don't really have a point of reference and I just wanted to check one thing . . . . .

The bike is brand new, and from day one (about 3 weeks ago) I have noticed a constant high pitch whistle when the engine is running. It's loudest if I put my ear over the centre of the tank, just behind the filler cap, but I can easily hear it when seated normally on the bike. Is this normal?

I did a few searches and did not find anything that seemed similar for this model so if anyone can shed some light or if you have an er6 and can verify that you do/don't hear this then that would be great.

Cheers

Stuart

[Guest]

First thing I would check, would be petrol filler cap. It is known to happen, as the bike uses petrol and creates a negative pressure inside the tank, the air going in whistles.

Its either that or someone has a kettle on

If it isn't that ... i'll get a thinking

[quark]

First thing I would check, would be petrol filler cap. It is known to happen, as the bike uses petrol and creates a negative pressure inside the tank, the air going in whistles.

Its either that or someone has a kettle on

If it isn't that ... i'll get a thinking

 

Thanks Dan,

I did see a post on another forum about the ninja 250 petrol cap whistling, so I did a quick check on this and with the cap open the noise is still there. It sounds sort of mechanical and possibly comming from just below the tank. I will have to try and get a recording of it in the morning to post. Sounds like you don't think this is "normal" then?

Cheers

Stuart

[quark]

Here is a recording of the noise. The noise is constant, but varies in this clip as I move the microphone around the engine.

Edit:: I have added the file again as an mp3, instead of the m4a (itunes format).

er6_whistle.zip

er6 Whistle

er6_whistle_mp3.zip

er6 whistle mp3

[Guest]

Sounds like a hoover!

Strange sound though, ive never had it before. Is there no kind of air intake for the engine? Perhaps the radiator fan ?

[Guest]

listened to it... certainly strange!

Even if it isnt harmful at all, i imagine it will be BLOODY annoying!

[Guest]

Harrumpf

How odd. Personally it was an effort for me to hear, so I am assuming you are referring to that real high pitched whistle?

Option 1, wait til your old like me and can't hear high pitched stuff ....

Heeeeeheeeee

Soz, not helpful.

TheWife has an ER6 as well. I can tell you that it certainley does not whistle like that.

As for a solution...... got me....

so, its either take it back to shop (assuming you bought it from one recently) who may not be very helpful either

or monitor it for a while and see if it persists.

[cyberwolf]

take it back to dealers get them to check it, it could be nothing to worry about, but to me it sounds like 2 metal parts rubbing just like drilling into metal with a blunt bit!!

[klutch]

u sure thats not a recording of someone taking an angle grinder to ur bike lol

nah jokes aside id take it back to the dealership if possible and get them to find out what it is just incase it is something to worry about.

hope it works out for u mate

[Guest]

Does it get worse as you pick up the revs? or is it constant, that way you would know if its engine speed related. What about slow speed riding?

No idea what it is though (well, if dan doesn't know, we are all stumped)

(jokes)

hope its nothing serious though.

[Guest]

I would check the exhaust, see if it is louder from where the pipes and endcan connect or from the exit..., looking at the exhaust on google, it wouldn't surprise me if it was the culprit..

[quark]

Thanks guys.

It does not seem to be comming from the exhaust and does not pick up with the revs. Its the same in all gears and idle at all speeds and starts as soon as the engine turns over, and yes its quite annoying.

Even though I am older I can still hear it Guess it would be much more irritating if your high frequency hearing is good, but possibly it would stop any young asbo types nicking it, ha ha.

Seriously though it is a bit worrying as the bike is brand new, and I will be on to the dealer (George Whites - Swindon) to see what's up, I hope their after sales service is good.

As a seperate thing (at the risk it may make me think that I got a lemon), should the oil window be cloudy like the attached pic with the oil looking a bit milky, unlike the noise which was there from mile 1, this has clouded over in the last few days? Like I said the clock has only 50m on it, all done in the last two weeks

 

.

[Guest]

Its moisture in the oil, you get it with short start ups, not getting fully warm then as it cools down it sucks in the moisture.

as long as its not too bad then its fine, i have it aswell.

Only real way of getting rid is changing the oil!

[skatefreak]

Well the simple answer there would be while oil means water in the oil

I would get this bike to the dealership, it appears it may not be that uncommon but i would find it a little unnerving

-Jvr

[quark]

Thanks for the info, The oil thing does not sound that big a problem then, and I guess a good long run to heat up and get out the moisure would clear this? I have not been on more than 10m rides at a time so far (just running myself in at the same time as the bike ), so probably thats the cause. Unfortunatley due to the noise problem I likley won't be going out untill I am sure everything is ok.

Its due for an oil change at 600m, but I was planning to get it done at 100 - 200m anyway beause of the advice I have seen on the general forums. So when I contact GW tomorrow I may just get this booked anyway.

Cheers

Stuart

[Guest]

i've heard of a porsche whistle, and it was found to be a crankcase seal, as the internals are pressurised when the motor spins, and it was sucking in air through a dodgy seal.. get a dealer to have a look....

[quark]

i've heard of a porsche whistle, and it was found to be a crankcase seal, as the internals are pressurised when the motor spins, and it was sucking in air through a dodgy seal.. get a dealer to have a look....

 

Thanks, could be something like that and I guess it might also explain the exess moisture in the oil. Going to call the dealer in 15min, to see what they say. No doubt it will be "bring it in and we will take a look" so it will be a ew days till I find out what it is. Will keep the thread updated though.

[Guest]

i've heard of a porsche whistle, and it was found to be a crankcase seal, as the internals are pressurised when the motor spins, and it was sucking in air through a dodgy seal.. get a dealer to have a look....

 

Thanks, could be something like that and I guess it might also explain the exess moisture in the oil. Going to call the dealer in 15min, to see what they say. No doubt it will be "bring it in and we will take a look" so it will be a ew days till I find out what it is. Will keep the thread updated though.

 

Hope its nothing serious!

Although it would all be covered under warranty anyway! (hopefully!!)

[quark]

Hope its nothing serious!

Although it would all be covered under warranty anyway! (hopefully!!)

 

Yes, still have 23months of warranty left

it's booked in for 9am tomorrow. The guy in the service dept did not have any immediate ideas about the whistle, but he did say right away about short trips and the oil being cloudy.

[quark]

So went in with the bike this morning, and the mechanic had a look at mine whilst I was there (which was good).

Sure enough he could hear the whistle, and after a closer inspection he said it was coming from the fuel pump, hence why it was obviously louder around the tank. Whats more he checked a couple of other kwaks and they all did it to some extent. I listened to a versys and a brand new er6-f and yup they both whistled. I would say mine was more noticable but "normal" it seems.

Thinking about it, maybe it's because mine is working harder as I seem to have gone through nearly a tank of fuel in the last 70m, and that surely can't be down to my rubbish, beginner riding style

I'm going to have to "tune out" the noise and get on with riding the bike then . . I think a lttle more speed may just do it

[Hoody]

Run it for longer distances and the emulsification in the oil should go. It is short runs that does it.

The original oil will clean the internals out of any swarf etc. Change it (get it dealer serviced to be on safe side) at 1000k and they should check all tolerances etc.

The running in period should give a chance for any minor niggles (your whistling for example) to be identified and all sorted at first service.

Run it and get some miles on it - the sound may even disappear!

[quark]

Run it for longer distances and the emulsification in the oil should go. It is short runs that does it.

The original oil will clean the internals out of any swarf etc. Change it (get it dealer serviced to be on safe side) at 1000k and they should check all tolerances etc.

The running in period should give a chance for any minor niggles (your whistling for example) to be identified and all sorted at first service.

Run it and get some miles on it - the sound may even disappear!

 

Cheers Hoody,

Went for a longer run and that seems to have a had a bit of an impact, the oil definetley looks darker. I want to go for a good long run this weekend if I can, though it started snowing again today!!, but if it holds off then Sunday is the day

Looks like the Whistle is probably here to stay, though I hope it quietens down a bit. Actualy the mech today said that I may notice that the engine is generaly a little quieter after the oil change due the replacement oil being a bit thicker(??)

[Hoody]

Tends to be a thinner oil from the factory as I said, to wash the swarf out.

The fresh oil will be the recommended oil for the machine, thicker and better quality.

I was out in the snow today, was just pleased it didn't settle!