2 Issues on used 09A test ride

[TheZsdad]

I searched but did not come up with any answers. I looked at a low mileage 09A yesterday.

The bike looked great but on the test ride I noticed kind of a growling/roaring sound. I have a

97 dodge ram that makes a similar sound when the cooling fans are on high. I think the outside

temp was about was about 42F. The sound was noticeable as I was taking off from a stop light.

As I got up to 35 mph wind noise would drown it out. I did not notice it at idle. I only spent about

20 minutes on the bike as I thought it had a problem. I also pulled into a large empty parking lot

to try some low speed maneuvers. Just some background this is only the second FJR I've riden and

probably have about 40 minutes total. I currently have a Yamaha Stratoliner. The bike seemed to want

to fall over or dive as begun to initiate a parking lot turn. Another time it felt like it did not want to turn.

I know the FJR has a steeper fork rake than I'm used to, maybe that explains the diving feeling.

I asked the owner about it and he said a friend of his had commented about it but he was use to

the way it handled. Said he had not noticed the roaring sound. This is the second owner and has

only put about 300 miles on since he bought it. Hmmmm... The 1st FJR I rode was about a month

ago under totally different riding conditions I did not notice the sound or the diving

on that bike. Does any of this sound familiar ? Sorry for the long post.

Dave

 

[Ignacio]

You're probably going to get a long list of possibilties.

And the tire pressures and tread condition were....? Low pressure could account for diving feeling and cupping could account for roaring sound or feeling.

 

[Scooper]

I searched but did not come up with any answers. I looked at a low mileage 09A yesterday.The bike looked great but on the test ride I noticed kind of a growling/roaring sound. I have a

97 dodge ram that makes a similar sound when the cooling fans are on high. I think the outside

temp was about was about 42F. The sound was noticeable as I was taking off from a stop light.

As I got up to 35 mph wind noise would drown it out. I did not notice it at idle. I only spent about

20 minutes on the bike as I thought it had a problem. I also pulled into a large empty parking lot

to try some low speed maneuvers. Just some background this is only the second FJR I've riden and

probably have about 40 minutes total. I currently have a Yamaha Stratoliner. The bike seemed to want

to fall over or dive as begun to initiate a parking lot turn. Another time it felt like it did not want to turn.

I know the FJR has a steeper fork rake than I'm used to, maybe that explains the diving feeling.

I asked the owner about it and he said a friend of his had commented about it but he was use to

the way it handled. Said he had not noticed the roaring sound. This is the second owner and has

only put about 300 miles on since he bought it. Hmmmm... The 1st FJR I rode was about a month

ago under totally different riding conditions I did not notice the sound or the diving

on that bike. Does any of this sound familiar ? Sorry for the long post.

Dave

I agree with the above post but,, if in doubt pass on it. I don;t like the 300 miles and sell either.

Scooper

 

[fjrrider]

You're probably going to get a long list of possibilties.

I'd check up on this one, go to the next. Unless you just like a mystery!

 

[tesla]

Dave, I am currently going through the same thing you are. See this thread that I started "Buying a 07FJR Tommorrow". Pretty sure my problem is squared off tires but they have nearly 4K miles on them. How many miles on the tires on the bike in question? Mine are the stock Metzler Z6. Is it possible that this tire is more prone to cupping? I had the roaring issue too but quickly realized I was doing 30mph in 5th gear and was lugging it. The lugging sound on this bike is different from other bikes I've ridden. Can you FJR vets confirm that?

 

[TheZsdad]

You're probably going to get a long list of possibilties.
And the tire pressures and tread condition were....? Low pressure could account for diving feeling and cupping could account for roaring sound or feeling.

Sorry I could not narrow it down a bit. The owner said he had just just the tires 41 in the rear 36 up front if I recall.

The bike only has 1900 miles on it. The sound seemed like it was bouncing off the wind shield which was the yamaha

touring shield.

 

[TheZsdad]

You're probably going to get a long list of possibilties.

I'd check up on this one, go to the next. Unless you just like a mystery!

I do like to solve problems but don't think I'd pay to get one. I think I'll take your advice.

 

[TheZsdad]

Dave, I am currently going through the same thing you are. See this thread that I started "Buying a 07FJR Tommorrow". Pretty sure my problem is squared off tires but they have nearly 4K miles on them. How many miles on the tires on the bike in question? Mine are the stock Metzler Z6. Is it possible that this tire is more prone to cupping? I had the roaring issue too but quickly realized I was doing 30mph in 5th gear and was lugging it. The lugging sound on this bike is different from other bikes I've ridden. Can you FJR vets confirm that?

1900 miles on the oem bridgestones. I don't think I was lugging it. I noticed the noise when taking off in 1st gear.

Really sounded like a loud radiator cooling fan or like a old truck that needed to shift out of granny gear.

I think I'll just move onto another bike.

 

[sin_loki]

1900 miles on the oem bridgestones. I don't think I was lugging it. I noticed the noise when taking off in 1st gear.Really sounded like a loud radiator cooling fan or like a old truck that needed to shift out of granny gear.

I think I'll just move onto another bike.

those tires suck, mine cupped at about that and made some noise when i turned with some speed.

IMHO you have a messed up front tire, replace it with a PR2 (or any other high quality tire) and it should be good.

 

[Karmak]

1900 miles on the oem bridgestones. I don't think I was lugging it. I noticed the noise when taking off in 1st gear.Really sounded like a loud radiator cooling fan or like a old truck that needed to shift out of granny gear.

I think I'll just move onto another bike.

those tires suck, mine cupped at about that and made some noise when i turned with some speed.

IMHO you have a messed up front tire, replace it with a PR2 (or any other high quality tire) and it should be good.

Maybe a stupid question, but did you check to see if the fans were on? Maybe a problem with the fans-

 

[fjrchooser]

Or it could be the FJR turbo whine. Road speed/wind noise drown it out after a bit, owners become used to it but always appreciative.

 

[TheZsdad]

1900 miles on the oem bridgestones. I don't think I was lugging it. I noticed the noise when taking off in 1st gear.Really sounded like a loud radiator cooling fan or like a old truck that needed to shift out of granny gear.

I think I'll just move onto another bike.

those tires suck, mine cupped at about that and made some noise when i turned with some speed.

IMHO you have a messed up front tire, replace it with a PR2 (or any other high quality tire) and it should be good.

Maybe a stupid question, but did you check to see if the fans were on? Maybe a problem with the fans-

No I didn't check to see if the fans were on.

 

[TheZsdad]

Or it could be the FJR turbo whine. Road speed/wind noise drown it out after a bit, owners become used to it but always appreciative.

Turbo Whine. I saw that mentioned some where but didn't pay much attention to it. After doing some reading about TW

maybe that is it. My hearing is pretty shot after 60 years of loud music, guns and women. I only hear the low tones.

A whine to some may come accross as a growl to me. Thanks Chooser this makes the most sense yet. I appreciate all the replies.

 

[djon]

FWIW

My 09 had a front end growl from mile 1. Was only noticeably when slowing to stop. Didn't really notice it when starting out though, but I take that was the difference in the wind noise in my helmet going up versus down. I did the Motoman breakin so I had some pretty high speeds early on, ran out of road for the redline step.

My first inclination was wheel bearings, but I finished the Yamaha breaking period and had no more noise that when I first heard it so I figured ti would last until tire change. In retrospect had I suspended the front tire and spun it by hand I could have pinpointed whether it was a bearing or if it was a tire issue.

I read the forum the stock tires had issues with cupping and making noise so I dismissed as tire noise, even thought my tires hadn't started cupping yet.

At 5500 miles I change out the front tire with PR2 and balanced with Dynabeads. I have 3000 miles on PR2 and don't have the growl anymore. I did the tire change myself.

I cannot definitely say if it was the tires or maybe the factory tension on the front axle possibly making bearing noise, but when the tire was changed it made a difference.

HTH

 

[UHOH]

a low mileage low priced bike? owned by really a non-user who probably doesn't know jack? give another try.

some thoughts within the limits of short internet post format -

1 - On dive and fall-in: go back to the bike and do these things, in full view of owner:

A) with your tire gauge be sure tires have a good 38+ psi in them (EDIT: on my '04 36-37 psi front seems to be critical in terms of handling),

B ) with screwdriver adjust dampening at bottom rear of forks to 3 clicks backed off from full hard (30 seconds per side) [clockwise stop is full hard]

C) with fingers adjust dampening at top of forks to 3 clicks backed off from full hard (20 seconds per side).

2 - On the roar/growl. Look at the temp gauge, at 4 bars my '04 fan kicks on with a roar, shuts off when cooled down to 3 bars.

If this is the source, it's obviously not a problem. not commenting on a whine, think someone new to the bike might think my bike has a whine.

they're good reliable bikes

 

[TheZsdad]

a low mileage low priced bike? owned by really a non-user who probably doesn't know jack? give another try.some thoughts within the limits of short internet post format -

1 - On dive and fall-in: go back to the bike and do these things, in full view of owner:

A) with your tire gauge be sure tires have a good 38+ psi in them (EDIT: on my '04 36-37 psi front seems to be critical in terms of handling),

B ) with screwdriver adjust dampening at bottom rear of forks to 3 clicks backed off from full hard (30 seconds per side) [clockwise stop is full hard]

C) with fingers adjust dampening at top of forks to 3 clicks backed off from full hard (20 seconds per side).

2 - On the roar/growl. Look at the temp gauge, at 4 bars my '04 fan kicks on with a roar, shuts off when cooled down to 3 bars.

If this is the source, it's obviously not a problem. not commenting on a whine, think someone new to the bike might think my bike has a whine.

they're good reliable bikes

Good advice. You questioned as to low miles and good price. The mileage is very low (1900)

but the asking price imho is high. Private party asking 11K and has 1 month of warranty left.

I'd still need to pay the state tax and tags. A new 09A would only be a grand more OTD and

I'd get a year warranty.

 

[Aasland]

When I test rode my 06 there was an occasionaly "crunch" from the rear end on hard acceleration. I know this isn't what you're dealing with, but bear with me, you might benefit from the same solution.

The bike also had seveal years left on the YES, it looked brand new despite having 20k miles on it, and the price was very good. These factors played into my decision to buy the bike - because I knew the bike was well taken care of, it was ridden often, and for anything big, it was under warranty, and got all of it's service at the local Yammy shop.

The first thing I did when I got it home was pull the rear shaft, lube the splines and replace the rear diff lube. Crunch is gone.

So .. in your case .. might be something very simple to fix, and since it still has the original warranty, you should be eligible for the YES. But ... the price of the bike should be more competitive that than what you are suggesting with the growling/roaring sound. If I were in your shoes, I'd see if the owner would drop the price an equal amount for you to go buy the YES.

 

[Solo]

I'm in Charlotte, too. Let me know if you'd like to borrow an ear accustomed to the sound of an FJR. PM me if you'd like me to meet you somewhere to check out the sounds you are hearing.

Tom

 

[TheZsdad]

When I test rode my 06 there was an occasionaly "crunch" from the rear end on hard acceleration. I know this isn't what you're dealing with, but bear with me, you might benefit from the same solution.
The bike also had seveal years left on the YES, it looked brand new despite having 20k miles on it, and the price was very good. These factors played into my decision to buy the bike - because I knew the bike was well taken care of, it was ridden often, and for anything big, it was under warranty, and got all of it's service at the local Yammy shop.

The first thing I did when I got it home was pull the rear shaft, lube the splines and replace the rear diff lube. Crunch is gone.

So .. in your case .. might be something very simple to fix, and since it still has the original warranty, you should be eligible for the YES. But ... the price of the bike should be more competitive that than what you are suggesting with the growling/roaring sound. If I were in your shoes, I'd see if the owner would drop the price an equal amount for you to go buy the YES.

I understand what you are saying and the fixes may be simple . Then again if the handling and noise issues are accident related YES isn't going to help me. Sounds like you found a good 06.

Thanks for your input.