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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
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Message started by Lanz on 03/27/17 at 23:23:47

Title: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by Lanz on 03/27/17 at 23:23:47

First post! I have a 2014 LS650 (Canadian badge) that was sold NZ new and has only had 1 PO. The bike has currently 21780km on the clock. I bought it from the dealer that sold it new, with 17600km on the clock. They insist that it has been regularly serviced by them and has never missed a service interval. I have had some questionable experiences regarding this but they have done some free work for me to check things that I was concerned about and they always go by the book.

I have gone back to them numerous times with concerns about the amount of noise the engine makes once it heats up. It is dead silent when I first start the bike but once up to full operating temperature the noise from the engine is quote noticeable. The noise speeds up and slows down with the engine, but doesn't really increase in volume much. Seems to be more prevalent at certain RPMs. If I were to characterise the noise I would say "ticking" and "sewing machine". The noise seems to originate/sound the loudest near the front of the head on the left side of the bike. It has always seemed to come from there. It doesn't sound malicious, clunky, or like anything is knocking. The dealer insists that the bike is running fine and that the noise is nothing to worry about and normal for this type of engine.

The dealer did a valve adjustment for me when they were checking the spec of the cam chain, and said they loosened one of the exhaust valves as it was a wee bit too tight. The noise seemed louder, and to start happening earlier in the warm-up after this. Interestingly though, it actually seems quieter once full operating temp has been reached (i.e. after 100kph for an extended period).

I have been to a separate motorcycle mechanic/dealership that also checked my concerns about the noise. They were convinced it was cam chain noise, and pulled the cover and told me the tensioner was out 18mm. I have never verified this and there has never been any knocking or concerning sound coming from down near the tensioner assembly. I have also just got in contact with Verslagen about getting a replacement for this once the bike reaches the 24000km service interval.

So the crux of this: How much noise is normal for this engine, and for air-cooled singles in general? Is the noise I'm hearing normal or should I be scrambling to find the problem? It has always been like this and over the xmas period I rode the bike over 1000km with several full day rides, and the noise has never changed as a result of riding.

Cheers in advance. I have attached a picture of the bike for general interest.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by eau de sauvage on 03/28/17 at 00:28:10

I would say "ticking" and "sewing machine"

That's exactly how I describe the sound of a normal S40! Dyna muffler improves the sound to the extent that it actually sounds like a proper motor sickle. I think I've got a before and after around somewhere.

http://picosong.com/pAP7/

http://picosong.com/pAcq/

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by Lanz on 03/28/17 at 00:52:57

Hot dang that Dyna muffler sounds good!

That's exactly how I describe the sound of a normal S40!

Well, that makes me feel a bit better about it. Less so about being a pest for the dealer... haha

Dyna muffler improves the sound to the extent that it actually sounds like a proper motor sickle.

One of my friends used to have an LS650 and he put a knock-off dyna muffler on it. I'm pretty sure it has no baffles and did about the same as just taking the muffler off ;D. Sounds pretty cool though.

There is also a guy in NZ who makes aftermarket bolt-ons for the LS650. I have no idea how they sound though so I'm a bit hesitant for the amount he wants for one.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by eau de sauvage on 03/28/17 at 02:51:50

If by cool you mean obnoxiously loud and anti social yeah, kinda. I found a local Harley work from home guy who puts after market exhausts on Harley's and he had a stock of brand new Dyna's for like $100 a pair, bought a pair and sold one to another S40 owner for $40. It was the latest one that has a built in heat shield. Frankly I couldn't believe how good it sounds, you certainly do not need to remove the baffle, apart from reducing the power.

Also it's amazing how different the engine can sound just by putting your head in slightly different positions, sometimes you can hear the ticking sound real clear and moving your head a bit and it's gone! Plenty of threads on the Dyna install, plus it's a really good looking muffler, it makes a massive difference getting rid of that 7kg ugly monstrosity it comes with, including that fugly heat shield. Some people bolt it straight on some people like myself used an angled adapter, which I had made in a muffler shop.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by jcstokes on 03/28/17 at 02:54:01

Are you in jafaland or near it, you could listen to mine and compare.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by Dave on 03/28/17 at 04:45:56

If you have a full coverage helmet, it can collect the sound of the valve train and make it sound far louder than it really is....the opening around your neck is pointed at the cylinder head.

Also the headlight bucket and speedometer can rattle and make you think the valve train is going to come apart - and it does tend to rattle in sympathy with the engine vibrations (but the engine being cold/warm doesn't come into play). When you hear the clicking put your hand on the speedometer or headlight bezel and see if the sound goes away (if you can't reach the headlight put some tape on the bezel and glass temporarily).

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by IslandRoad on 03/28/17 at 13:21:13

Also, if you do have a speedo rattle, and you fix it, next you'll be wondering what the other sound is .... it's the sound of the speedo cable whirring ;)

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by verslagen1 on 03/28/17 at 13:45:52

Being that you're out 18mm, putting on a verslavy will quiet it some because when it's hanging out that far it can rattle against the case.
And the chain tension is a little lower.

The valve noise will vary depending on how you've got them adjusted.
The range for you metric people is .08 to .13 mm.
There are 2 on the same rocker and if they are not identical will give you more noise than if they are.
Also a loose adjustment will give you more noise, too tight no noise... no noise is bad!
And it's normal for the noise to change when warm as the clearances will change due to the expansion rates between aluminum and steel.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by Lanz on 03/28/17 at 14:23:07

Are you in jafaland or near it, you could listen to mine and compare.

Nah sorry man no where close. I tried to listen to my friends one but his "muffler" is so darn loud I couldn't tell.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by Lanz on 03/28/17 at 14:25:09

Being that you're out 18mm, putting on a verslavy will quiet it some because when it's hanging out that far it can rattle against the case.
And the chain tension is a little lower.

I sent you an email about buying one actually. Do you still use the camchainclub address?

I'm also quite sure the speedo and headlight aren't loose. I was going over the externals of the bike the other day and didn't notice anything amiss.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by norm92de on 03/28/17 at 14:27:14

The Dyna muffler does sound great. :) Like a completely different bike.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by verslagen1 on 03/28/17 at 14:33:50

002D22364C0 wrote:

I sent you an email about buying one actually. Do you still use the camchainclub address?

Yes, will respond later.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by Lanz on 03/28/17 at 14:50:03

The Dyna muffler does sound great. Like a completely different bike.

Does anyone know if someone makes pre-made adapters? Or if there are plans for said adapter? My welding sucks but I suppose I could make one.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by eau de sauvage on 03/28/17 at 15:29:50

Ryca make one http://shop.rycamotors.com/suzuki_s40_savage_parts_category.html

They also sell it on eBay.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by Lanz on 03/28/17 at 16:20:51

Yeeeeah only problem with ordering stuff from overseas to NZ is you often end up paying more in shipping than the item is worth... But I was thinking about ordering a tachometer from them so maybe once I have a bit of spare cash and a list of parts I will snag something. Thanks for the pointer.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by IslandRoad on 03/28/17 at 17:57:13

I bought a mini tach from Ryca. I would highly recommend it. Great product!

012C23374D0 wrote:

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by eau de sauvage on 03/28/17 at 18:05:34

604D42562C0 wrote:

Look at it this way, $49 USD is about $70 AUD I got my local muffler shop to make an angled adapter and fit the whole exhaust as well for $100. You could prolly get your local muffler shop to make the adapter for less than the cost of the ryca then get a couple of Harley clamps. But plenty of people fit it with no adapter, using the tin can method. Maybe a bit more arsing around but you get that warm fuzzy feeling.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by jcstokes on 03/28/17 at 23:25:20

Lanz, as far as mini tachs go, I would do an EBAY search as well as pricing RYCA. I don't speak with authority on this, but I have a feeling RYCA sells a generic Taiwanese thing, which many other US bike shops sell. I brought mine from Catalyst Cycles in Tennessee or Virgina, or USA. It looks the same as the Ryca product. The tach was landed here for $NZ100, but that's about four years ago and I forget the exchange at the time, the $NZ100, included $NZ30 shipping I think. If you get at tach, get White face black numbers, stands out better at night. What city or province are you?

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by Lanz on 03/29/17 at 13:36:34

Yeah I though that might be the case. I will have a hunt.

I'm in Taranaki.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by piedmontbuckeye on 03/31/17 at 06:07:50

Coming from the BMW world where there was virtually NO engine noise, I was really concerned when I purchased my 5,000 mile, 2011 S40. It was as the original poster described: engine noise was quiet at startup, but after warm-up, it sounded louder. I don't hear any "clunks" or "banging", just noise. Worried me at first, but I figured it was just me (and my helmet at someone described above) that was imagining the worst.
However, I will be checking on my cam chain adjuster in the next few weeks.

Thanks to all for your great input.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/31/17 at 06:46:41

It's not a Goldwing , it's a crude old design. It's noisy, by nature. If it's Not making noise, the valves are too tight.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by eau de sauvage on 03/31/17 at 20:25:58

It took me a while to get used to the sound the engine makes when you really crank it open fast, the sound of the piston is very sharp and metallic, sounds like the piston is about to burst through the head. Weird.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by IslandRoad on 03/31/17 at 21:15:35

Same for me! I was surprised the 'roar' of the engine was louder than the exhaust ... but I was new to riding. My only other experience was a Ninja 250R with a Yoshimura muffler.

Now, I love the sounds the thumper makes [ch9786]

43514546515755300 wrote:

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by KiwiGeek on 04/02/17 at 20:23:10

0B26293D470 wrote:

Find out the dimensions and weight of the package and check what the shipping cost via Youshop is. They have a calculator on the website that will show the shipping costs. (ttps://www.nzpost.co.nz/tools/youshop/youshop-pricing). Often overseas places will take on huge shipping costs for overseas customers because they can.

Title: Re: Engine Noise: What is typical and what is not?
Post by Fazio on 11/19/23 at 14:56:39

I realize that this is an extremely old post... but, OP, do you happen to know where to purchase or what brand that luggage rack is on your bike? Looks good btw. Hopefully you still have it. I love mine! Thanks.