Paranoid - Whats that noise

Irn-bru

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I'm just breaking in my 2012 WC GS so all the noises are new to me (I just picked it up a few weeks ago, It was three months old with only 30 miles on the clock, so it must have been sitting in someone garage idle). Given some of the issues stated with the 2012 bike I've become a bit paranoid so would welcome your feedback as to what's normal and what's not.

The noise that I'm noticing on the GS is a whine that seems to come from the front wheel. My initial though was the pads were rubbing, but it's too consistent for that and breaking makes no difference. I also wondered if it was simply the wind whistling through the bike. Final theory is its the drive shaft throwing its voice and making it sound like its from the front wheel. Different road surfaces can make it louder.

The noise is hard to explain and I'm sure impossible for you to diagnose, but if it does sound familiar to you I would love to know what it is.
 
Could | be the first to say

"They all do that sir"
AND
It sounds like it is scrap - I will give you £10 for it (if you can deliver)
AND
"What oil are you using?"
AND
Mr General Knowall will be along in a minute
AND
This thread is useless without pictures



I feel better already:beerjug:
 
Do you have Anakee 3's? On certain road surfaces, they are VERY loud.
 
if you have Anakee3s on your water GS , there have been owners mentioning noise from these tyres.

have the bike on the center stand , get someone to hold down the rear , and spin up front wheel to check brakes/bearings. that will eliminate anything serious. If nothing , then IMHO just ride the hell out of the bike.

.
 
Sorry 2013 WC, everyone is so forgiving on this forum. I'll check out the tyres. I'm also going to remove the front fender extender which was fitted recently and I think coincides with the noise.

I'm sure its nothing, I just want to make sure I capture all possible issues before I put it in for its service. Starter switch is the latest, it seems to be sticking and needs a lot of pressure to press it down.

While I'm moaning I'm also going to cancel my Mudsling order and get a traditional hugger, I can't believe how much crud builds up on the swing arm.
 
My starter switch was a bit stiff too so I sprayed some GT85 into it and it has been fine. I now do this to all the switch gear after washing the bike. had the same with the high beam switch but all are silky smooth now

terry
 
Irn-bru said:
Sorry 2013 WC, everyone is so forgiving on this forum. I'll check out the tyres. I'm also going to remove the front fender extender which was fitted recently and I think coincides with the noise.

I'm sure its nothing, I just want to make sure I capture all possible issues before I put it in for its service. Starter switch is the latest, it seems to be sticking and needs a lot of pressure to press it down.

While I'm moaning I'm also going to cancel my Mudsling order and get a traditional hugger, I can't believe how much crud builds up on the swing arm.
Click to expand...

Hugger makes more sense, stop the problem at it's source, but I have had my hugger on order since NN's early discount offer, and just maybe the hugger looks better...subjective though!

Just hope it does the job.
 
Hi Irn-Bru. Picked up my new GS today and noticed the noise you have tried to describe and understand why its difficult too.
Sounds like a knackered bearing in the front wheel and listened to through a box if that makes sense or similar to a knackered
wheel bearing on a car that is also dry as a bone.
The noise starts at low speed around 10mph and increases up to about 50mph when it seems to level off. If I ride with my
visor open the noise is much much louder which to me indicates its coming from the front wheel area and being directed up through
the fairing gaps. Have spun the wheel and nothing out of the ordinary. Wheels are wires and tyres are anakee 3's. Having read the above
replies I think it may be tyre noise or aerodynamic. Two friends have ridden the bike who have the same with different tyres and they
noticed the noise straight away, I rode one of their bikes and no noise present. Biggest difference between the bikes are the wheels (mags on theirs)
and the tyres. Any ideas anyone? Im thinking tyre's to be honest.
 
Is it possible that the WC engine noise is now "quieter" and our ear tunes into the other noises we never really heard before?
 
This has reminded me i did notice a strange noise from the front end of the bike on a wc test ride. It had alloy wheels. It wasnt the howl that i got from the anakees on my gsa at about 60mph. it was a faint background noise but distinct and coming from the front of the bike. could it be a case of 'they all do that sir'.
 
Quick update. Been back to the dealers today and they could not have been more helpful. Swapped my wheels over
with their demo bike which Conti Attack tyres I think and the noise massively reduced to the point its almost
inaudible. Still a tiny amount of road noise but I'd call it normal. So the answer is tyres.
 
gt40driver said:
Quick update. Been back to the dealers today and they could not have been more helpful. Swapped my wheels over
with their demo bike which Conti Attack tyres I think and the noise massively reduced to the point its almost
inaudible. Still a tiny amount of road noise but I'd call it normal. So the answer is tyres.
Click to expand...

Told you.:P At least you know for sure now.:thumb
 
I would welcomes members views on whether I can replace my front tyre on its own with a different brand. I know the recommendation is usually to replace tyres as a pair but with only a 1000 miles on the clock it seems a waste of money to replace both. What would the potential issues be?
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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