Funny Noise ,Help !

[Motorbike Mike]

Hi All, My bike is an R1150 GS 2002 ( single spark, 36 k miles ), as the title suggests I'm getting a funny noise, it happens when accelerating, mostly 3rd and 4th typically when coming out of a bend and using the torque to increase speed, if I drop a gear and accelerate then no funny noise - just seems to be when the engine is under the greatest strain. The noise sounds like gravel on the road flicking up at high speed and pinging against the front of the engine, doesn't seem to be effecting performance but I'm worried it could be something about to break. Any ideas? thanks in advance.
Mike

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

Sounds like it's pinking. Not good for your engine. Is your bike modified at all? Like a y-piece, anything like that?

Pluck

 

[Motorbike Mike]

No She's absolutely bog standard....

 

[beermonster]

Mine does that if I am too lazy to change down, just keep it spinning in the correct gear. (Not that I am suggesting you are )

Simon

 

[Grizzly]

Pinking - Change plugs??

Hi Mike, used to get the same thing (pre-ignition or "pinking")on my '01 GS now and again.
Now run with Champion EON2 spark plugs and never happens now
Do a search for "Eon2" for more info/background,

Cheers........................Grizzly

 

[Motorbike Mike]

Cheers Grizzly I'll have a search, current plugs are whatever Steptoe put in last but one service, it's due another plug change ( 36k service ) so when I book the service I'll ask Steptoe to use those if it could be a cure.
Mike

 

[Packer]

Pinking can also be caused by over advanced ignition.

Possibly suspect whatever tells the computer where the crankshaft is in relation to TDC. I believe that it's the "Hall sensors" behind the front cover on the crankcase.

 

[Motorbike Mike]

I think Sgt Pluck and Grizzly are right - seems pinking is almost certainly the noise, what I didn't mention was that it's intermittant, and has just started last week whilst I was in Morocco, if it was poor fuel then it would have been the fill up I did when I was just outside Marrrakesh on the road to Oukimeden, It hasn't been making the noise to any degree following further fill ups,so praps it was a bad batch of fuel, thanks everyone that has put my mind at rest.
Cheers Mike

 

[Voyager]

I think Sgt Pluck and Grizzly are right - seems pinking is almost certainly the noise, what I didn't mention was that it's intermittant, and has just started last week whilst I was in Morocco, if it was poor fuel then it would have been the fill up I did when I was just outside Marrrakesh on the road to Oukimeden, It hasn't been making the noise to any degree following further fill ups,so praps it was a bad batch of fuel, thanks everyone that has put my mind at rest.
Cheers Mike

A few of us had the same problem in Morocco a couple of weeks back. poor fuel is almost certainly the cause.

As soon as I could I put 98 RON in and ran the tank as low as I could before putting nice clean (!) 95 in. No problems since.

Mine is a 2004 1150GSA (twin spark).

Bob.