Usually while moving slowly, hot or cold engine, It's not the radiator fans and not the air bag pump.When is the motor cycling? Is is while you are going very slow or stopped in city traffic?YES Is it when you are riding at moderate speeds?NO
Does it do it only while moving YES, or does it do it while stopped most of the time NO?
Has it ever done that before it gets up to normal operating temperature?
On the bottom of the shaft that connects to the handlebars, there is a steering assist motor. It operates to make steering easier while going at very slow speeds. It is directly under the handlebars on the lower end of the steering shaft. It would not operate while stopped or while going at higher speeds. It would only come on while moving.
Thanks Gwolf. Can it usually be heard? Is it hard to get at it? Is it hydraulic? Since I can hear it is it about to quit? Is there something that can be done to fix it besides replacing it?
I don't know. I don't notice mine coming on, but I got a 2019 that only has a little over 7,000 miles on it. They are pretty expensive. Not sure how hard it is to get at. Most likely have to strip most of the front end. The shaft comes down from the handlebars and would be in front of the engine. I am not even sure that would be what is making the noise. I was just going by when it makes noise and when it doesn't.
https://www.cheapcycleparts.com/oemparts/a/cam/546f7a7af870022084623db5/steering
That parts picture will expand to huge size.
Should be part #118 in the diagram. Might be able to turn the wheels all the way to one side and see it from down low behind the wheel. I don't know know on your model. If you can see it, put a light on it and look for anything leaking or that looks loose on it.
It is not hydraulic. It is electric motor to give steering assist at parking lot speeds. It might cycle off and on if you rode slow in a quiet place and turned the bars back and forth some.
I guess I haven't studied the DPS parts diagram really close so that's a new one on me. My understanding is that everything related to the DPS unit is all contained inside the DPS unit and none of it is repairable, except maybe by the DPS manufacturer. It's also a pain to replace. When the one was replaced in my 2013 RT (that was a common failure back then) the shop guys had the lady service writer come out and finagle it out. Her smaller fingers made it easier to get out; not easy, just easier! AFAIK there are no rebuilt DPS units available. You might find a good one from a m/c salvage yard. According to the service manual you must reset things with BUDS after you change it out.I've been looking at the exploded view of the steering section at Cheap Cycle Parts and perusing some older posts about the DPS unit. Someone mentioned that a bad battery or connection might be a culprit. Since my battery is probably 5 yrs old and has been giving me low voltage readings, I decided to order a new battery anyway. Also on the diagram I noticed a part that is labeled "Sensor Sleave", that looks like it could be made of brass or copper with a boss on top so that it won't fall thru the hole it sits in..