do I just need ear plugs?

[hodge1150]

1150 GS 78000 miles making a noise at road speed, by this I mean the noise is apparent only when the bike is moving.
It makes the noise in neutral with engine switched off but is louder when the bike is warm.
Rear bearing checked and OK, front wheel bearings replaced (one was v rough) but noise still there.
Not the brakes ( I wont say how I checked this).
Recently changed tyres to Distanzias (could this be it ? anyone had similar) BUT it does sound like a bearing.
Could it be the g/box output bearing ? but there is no roughness at all from the rear wheel when rotated on the stand in neutral and no noise.
Any ideas ?

Its not the mudflap either, Ive checked.
Cheers
Hodge

 

[Packer]

If you have only noticed it since fitting the new tyres I would suspect those.

The Distanzia tread pattern does appear to have large blocks and the engine noise would reduce as the bike achieves its normal operating temperature hence making things like tyre noise more obvious.

Is it feasible to do a temporary wheel swap with a friend using other tyres?

You might also try putting the bike on the centre stand preferably with the front wheel well chocked or against a wall and running the bike up through the gears with the rear wheel off the floor, pull in the clutch and see if the noise is still there. Try loading the transmission by applying the rear brake at the same time. Be careful as the disaster potential of this is quite high

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[hodge1150]

thanks Packer

Cheers mate, I knew somebody sensible would help, going to try it this weekend.
Hodge

 

[Den]

You might also try putting the bike on the centre stand preferably with the front wheel well chocked or against a wall and running the bike up through the gears with the rear wheel off the floor, pull in the clutch and see if the noise is still there. Try loading the transmission by applying the rear brake at the same time. Be careful as the disaster potential of this is quite high

Good luck and keep us posted.

If you do that, you WILL get worried. The shaft & gearbox make terrible noises when run on the stand.

 

[bob the grizz]

noise ?

Remember to keep your garage door open,so you can shoot up the drive when the rear wheel makes contacccccccccccccctttttttttttttttt-------

 

[Packer]

If you do that, you WILL get worried. The shaft & gearbox make terrible noises when run on the stand.

Ahh, but they will probably be different noises

 

[Packer]

If you do that, you WILL get worried. The shaft & gearbox make terrible noises when run on the stand.

I have just followed my own advice and run the bike up to 4000RPM in overdrive 6th gear, equivalent to 80MPH with nothing more than engine noise until I closed the throttle and the backlash in gears and final drive made themselves delicately obvious with a lovely musical note