| Author | Message | ||
     Jcbikes |
When I got my 2004 xb12s, the motor always has made a noise like the pistons being loose. I was told this is normal that the top ends were noisy. Now I here all the discussion about pinging (detonation) but I know what that sounds like and it doesn't seem to be that sound. it makes the sound cruising anywhere from 2,500rpm and up. only stops when off the gas. Bike runs great otherwise just sort of annoying at times. 4,100 miles on the bike. Anyone else here this sound? IS THIS NORMAL? | ||
| Eurotwins |
Jc, The noise mine makes is at 3800 to 4200 rpm at any speeds or gears,sounds like marbles rattling.....John | ||
| M1combat |
Mine makes quite a bit of noise from the upper end. It's downright scary if I ride for a short distance w/o a helmet (I don't to that very much). It's hard to say "Yeah, your upper end noise is normal." though, because I haven't actually heard it. I know mine makes quite a bit of racket though. | ||
| Jcbikes |
Yeah, guys..the dealer told me it was normal but did not ride the bike. its almost like a ringing, piston rattling sound. I think its more prevalent when the engine is not working hard. so thats why I thought it was piston slap or something. Once I was going up this really steep climb and under that pull,the engine got quite. I really do not think that these engine work very hard with all that amazing torque. Also,today I started by first ever tank of gas of 87 octane to see per other postings, if it would get worse or not...checking for detonation. NO difference in sound and I was surprised - no detonation either. The bike ran just as good on 87 octane as 91. I have a feeling the altitude here in Colorado might help in no detonation. | ||
| Xb12burner |
What you may be hearing is the valve train. On the small engines that I repair and dyno test I notice the same noise in them that I hear in my 12R. If I let the engines die then you can slowly hear the noise start to quit as the internals quit rotating. As it gets slower and slower you can tell that it is the intake/exhaust valves opening and closing. .02... | ||
| Jcbikes |
Paul - is what I am describing what you hear on you xb12 too? | ||
| Xb12burner |
Yep, I believe it is one and the same. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Jcbikes, my XB12R has always had the rattling pistons sound as well, not detonation, not valve train noise, seems like others I rode have had it too. Some louder than others. My XB9R didn't have it, My tube frame bikes don't have it either, first bike I have ever owned with this sound.  Don't particularly like it but, what the hey, it's under warranty! | ||
| Jcbikes |
Yea, it hard to explain it. doesnt make the sound at idle, just riding down the road it seems to come up around the airbox and then to your ears. The only other buell i rode was a xb9s and I dont recall the sound either. I just always wondered about it and if others had experiance the same. Sound like its a xb12 trait. Wonder what the factory says about it. | ||
| Poondogger |
Another 12r with the same issue here. I'd been considering taking it into the dealer so when he told me the noise was normal I had some recourse later when it blew up. Mine sounds like a tapping noise as Jc describes it. Besides that annoyance the bike runs like the day I bought it almost 10k later. | ||
| Dtx |
My XB9SX seems to be pretty noisey too. You can really hear it at idle when you bend down next to the motor. Everybody seems to say its normal, but I think mine is louder than my buddies. (Message edited by dtx on September 16, 2005) | ||
| Reducati |
i had the same issues. not pinging but def a metalic noise, not at idle just basically on accel...thought it was the primary chain, (wasnt) went to my hd dealer (under warranty have 12k on the clock)..piston rods were loose...new pistons/ cylnders covered underwarranty..now have to rebreak in the new engine | ||
| Jcbikes |
wow, I hope all of noisy 12's don't have the problem you did. When you say piston rods - do you mean connecting rod's? or Piston pins? | ||
| Fullpower |
ear plugs helped quiet mine down. | ||
| Apex_assasian |
i have my mp3 player and yes my 12 is a bit noisey....but it runs flawlessly and after all it is a air cooled v-twin with pushrods....so enjoy the noise..it's gonna be there. | ||
| Reducati |
connecting rods....the shop let me look at it, it was loose.... | ||
| Martin |
My squeak turned out to be the front isolator which was totally donald ducked at 5000 miles | ||
| Pwnzor |
mine has sounded like steel shot in a blender since day one. | ||
| Choldy |
Don't know how you can tell a strange noise to be honest, my bike (9r) has always sounded like a bag of spanners in a tumble drier  | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Good one Choldy! I've always thought my bike sounded like a coffee can full of nuts and bolts used as a maraca! I love my bike btw and it has made this racket for each of its 38,000 miles! Runs like a champ! XB9R | ||
| Johnparts |
all three of my xb's sound like they are falling apart but they run like champs and i havent had a problem yet | ||
| Riclyd |
Someone shuld make an internetside of different Buell soundsfiles  | ||
| Howieshotrods |
I've had that marble in the blender sound too, seems to be when under load in the 3-5k range on the tach. Only seems to happen when I am already doing 3k or so, and try and get on it. Don't think it is detenation, but would really like to know what it is....sounds like a common thing. | ||
| Monorad |
Totally normal for a pushrod engine. Look at a diagram of how this particular engine works, and you'll understand why it sounds like that. Clickity Clack! It definitely freaks people out. My buddy rides an in-line-4 and after taking my xb9 around the block he jumped off it and said "that thing sounds like its about to blow up between my legs ..." hehe. | ||
| Nick |
Get the primary checked tho, mine sounded like a bag of spanners and it was the chain. |
