Noise at higher RPM

[Baphomet]

2010 RS SE5, about 10K on the odometer. I don't ride this machine very often because it belongs to my wife. She told me that it makes a loud sound when she is going fast. I took it out for a test ride and what it "sounds like" is top end noise after 3k RPM. I ride an HD Sportster and the top end is notoriously loud on my bike, nothing unusual ... but I do not know what is normal on a Spyder.

At idle it is quite as a mouse, and you can go through all the gears and it is quite as a mouse. However, if you get it on then every time it hits around the 3K RPM mark it sounds like valve noise or maybe a loose motor mount. I'm not sure. I did a recent oil change myself on it and followed the service manual to the letter for the complete service and the wife drove it quite a bit without mentioning any issues. I checked the oil level first thing and with the motor hot it is just shy of the top mark.

Is this something I should be concerned about? What should I be checking? Do you think it is normal and my wife just never noticed it before? She's a new rider and only recently has been "getting it on". It's still under warranty, but I have always worked on my own stuff unless it is beyond my abilities. TIA

 

[boborgera]

2010 RS SE5, about 10K on the odometer. I don't ride this machine very often because it belongs to my wife. She told me that it makes a loud sound when she is going fast. I took it out for a test ride and what it "sounds like" is top end noise after 3k RPM. I ride an HD Sportster and the top end is notoriously loud on my bike, nothing unusual ... but I do not know what is normal on a Spyder.

At idle it is quite as a mouse, and you can go through all the gears and it is quite as a mouse. However, if you get it on then every time it hits around the 3K RPM mark it sounds like valve noise or maybe a loose motor mount. I'm not sure. I did a recent oil change myself on it and followed the service manual to the letter for the complete service and the wife drove it quite a bit without mentioning any issues. I checked the oil level first thing and with the motor hot it is just shy of the top mark.

Is this something I should be concerned about? What should I be checking? Do you think it is normal and my wife just never noticed it before? She's a new rider and only recently has been "getting it on". It's still under warranty, but I have always worked on my own stuff unless it is beyond my abilities. TIA

:dontknow:Has the belt ever been adjusted for the proper tension??

 

[NancysToy]

The Spyder turns a lot more rpm than your Harley. The noise is probably normal. If in doubt, have a tech who is familiar with the Spyder take a test ride. Noises to be leery of are those that change from what your wife heard previously, clattering, knocking, grinding, or squealing (not the brakes). The bad ones make a deep sound that is hard to mistake for anything but trouble. My personal opinion on things like this is to "drive it 'til it blows." There is nothing you can do to head off a major engine failure if it is going to happen...which I doubt yours is. I'd relax and stop worrying, if I were you.

 

[Baphomet]

The bad ones make a deep sound that is hard to mistake for anything but trouble.

That is kind of what I needed to hear. The wife and I are fixing to start on a 500 mile round trip later on today, so I will at least know if it is better, worse, or the same by the end of the trip. I'm going to make sure I have phone numbers for road service just in case. Thanks for your thoughtful response.

 

[Bob Denman]

Have and enjoyable and uneventful ride! :thumbup:

 

[Campverdefela]

Could she be shifting it at too low an rpm. My normal upshift is between 5 and 6 grand. Remember the Spyder loves to run in the higher range and also your sitting on top of the engine right where your ears are and the v-twin does have a lot of mechanical noise to it....