1250 RT odd metallic rattle/ringing

[mehere]

Hi all. My 2023 R1250RT (~16,500 km) has a quiet metallic rattling/ringing noise that I recently noticed after a service. I’m not certain whether it was present before.

The noise is almost entirely load-dependent rather than RPM-dependent. I can hear it in basically any gear and over a wide RPM range when the engine is pulling, especially even slightly uphill. As soon as I reduce the throttle/load, it disappears. On level ground I can ride at ~2,000 rpm without hearing it.

It sounds a bit like a saucepan lid lightly rattling while water is simmering, or a quiet metallic rustling/sizzling noise. The bike otherwise runs perfectly: no warning lights, power loss, unusual vibration or clutch problems. I’m also running 100 RON E5 fuel.

Has anyone with an R1250 experienced the same noise? Is this considered normal boxer/clutch/engine noise, or something worth having checked? I also have a recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1miRwO8lig1-bFK0i1qD4xEeWEn2HTn2p/view?usp=drivesdk
I'm riding with low rpm there, but the sound is heard on 4000 rpm too, if there's an uphill.

 

[Hann]

There have been quite a lot of 1250 owners who have reported the same noise, me included.
As far as i know no one has ever pinpointed a definitive cause or remedy.

For example, see here;

Thread 'New R1250RS “Pinking” noise'

Nov 17, 2024

Hi, new member, new bike. I took delivery of a new 1250 RS in August having had a 1200 RT and a Nine T in the past. From new, I have a “Pinking” noise when accelerating under load in lower gears at around 3000 revs. I am not “lugging” the bike and it revs very smoothly when not in gear. It has been through its 600 mile service and dealer says all ok. This gets some mention online but it all seems inconclusive with “some of them do that”. Do other owners experience the same ? Is this just a feature of Euro 5 fueling for this engine and bike ? Thanks for taking the time to read.

• Caterham07
• Replies: 65
• Forum: R1200/1250 RS

The noise is easily heard at about 25 seconds in the first video in this thread;

Thread 'R1250GS Rattling noise'

Sep 18, 2023

Hello. I face an issue with a rattling noise at my R1250GSA MY21. It is noticeable when I accelerate from 3000-4000rpm and when I am fully loaded and uphill is worst. So when load increases, noise is higher.

I have replaced exhaust cams under warranty, with dealer we suspected the decompression mechanisms but no luck. I have used the best fuels with additives but no luck. I have removed all protection bars and engine protection but no luck. I have inserted a spacer at right cam chain tensioner but no luck, left one replaced with the updated one. Any idea?

Below I attach 2 videos with 2...

• scarab1987
• Replies: 305
• Forum: 1200/1250 GS Watercooled

Is this the same noise you are experiencing?

 

[squibb34]

Sounds more like the TB or exhaust flapper rather than pre-ignition. Never noticed it on my R1250RS, but I guess the RT fairing will amplify the noise.

Let's not forget these motors like to be revved, so don't really enjoy lugging a high gear..............although they will.

Presumably the shift cam change is smooth but readily perceptible in terms of performance, with no strange tapping noises or CCT rattles. I gather opening the throttle hard at low revs in a high gear can induce a shift cam change at relatively low revs - sounds cruel, mechanically unsympathetic to me.