I have a 2015 Suzuki with almost 9000 miles.  Hoping some of you can give me your thoughts on this, or have had some experience with this.

As everyone knows, the LS650 has that low key backfire when the engine is turned off.  Using that as a reference, I have noticed that quite often after decelerating the throttle, there is a low key backfire ... somewhat louder than the backfire when you turn off the engine, but usually low sounding.  At idle, when I just slightly twist the throttle back and forth, it will give off this low key backfire on deceleration at almost every twist of the throttle.

(It's not the occasional loud backfire that the LS650 can give off.  I am aware of that.)

I didn't notice it because I usually wear earplugs ... plus I don't have the best of hearing (I'm an old timer).  

I'm hoping some of you may have experienced this.  In fact, the best of all worlds is that this is normal (I'm hoping).  Just to let you know, the bike runs great as far as I'm concerned.

For your information, the valves have been adjusted and the spark plug was replaced, both about a thousand miles ago.  The oil/filter have been changed on schedule.  In my opinion it has been well cared for.

Thanks for any help you can give.
Ron G

These big singles can burble, chug and pop.  There is some fine carb tuning that can be done to minimize some of this and maximize performance, but I'm not the guy for that.  My prior bikes were parallel twins and this one is very different.
You may want to check the acorn nuts on the exhaust header at the cylinder and check for any potential other air leaks, though, like at the muffler joint.
When you do the acorn nuts on the header, it's a delicate touch; just finger tips on the wrench and no leverage at the end of the wrench.  Better to check their tightness every once in a while than cause damage.

If I worked on mine and took it for a test ride and it didn't burble and growl after a downshift I'd put it back in the shop and fix it.

Exhaust leak also make it backfire

Thanks a lot for all your input.  Don't know when it started, ... or it might be even be normal as some have suggested.  And the bike seems to run great.

Justin, a year of two ago, you suggested checking the exhaust nuts for looseness, and not to tighten them too tight.  Really appreciated your suggestion at that time because one of the nuts was somewhat loose.  From then on I check them occasionally.  They are now always tight.  

Haven't noticed any other exhaust leak.

I used to do some of my own maintenance.  (What some people do on this website, however, is way out of my league).  However, now in my mid 70's, I recently began taking it to a Suzuki dealership.  The dealer did the valve job about a 1000 miles ago.  I assume it was done correctly.  However, going on this Tahoe trip, I took it to another Suzuki dealership in the area, and a mechanic listened to the noise and took it for a test ride.  He didn't think it was the valves because it would be hard to start if they were too tight.  Too loose would be louder tapping.
His final analysis was to go ahead and ride it.

Thanks again for your help.  Always interested in everyone's suggestions.  

Ron G

Ron, You mentioned going to Tahoe, so I assume you are in California or Nevada. If you are in the lowlands, i.e. lower elevations going to altitude on a single cylinder, carb bike could make a big difference. Though I live at sea level and have never ventured on either of my Savage/S40's to mountainous regions I have read enough to venture some things associated with what you ascribe could be due to that (or you just notice it more). If you ride to substantially higher elevations regularly, re-jet or something like a Dyno-Jet might make sense.  

One thing you learn quickly when you change exhaust is that even in stock mode there is a certain amount of afterfire/backfire that goes on with our rides that the stock muffler with all it's chambers and diversions minimizes the effect, you just barely hear or notice it. Not saying you are good or bad, just my observations. You ride up into the mountains you might notice some different noise.

I kind of agree with JoG on this in that it's the nature of the beast. I have a Honda Fury with fuel injection and an after market Cobra exhaust and even with a Dyna-Jet fuel management system you still get that sometimes.

When in traffic and around a lot of brain dead dolts in cars a little pop when you back off the throttle may make them take notice.

I kind of agree with JoG on this in that it's the nature of the beast.

It's not a bug,it's a feature. You Can, if, say,you're about to pass by a coupla horses or you're going by a hospital, you Can keep it from making the popping, growling music.
But it requires you to not downshift and use the transmission for a brake. If it's making the gunshot sounding noises while you're shifting, that would probably be an exhaust leak.

I live in the valley just east of Lake Tahoe, and I am at 4800 ft elev.  The lake is a pretty good climb from sea level.