Whinning Sound Downshifting

[Highway Star]

Hi!

I know this has come up several times here...but I just wanted to clarify. My 2000 RSV makes a loud Whining sound but only when throttle is closed...that is once i give it gas or steady gas the noise goes away. Is this the sound I hear so much about that is inherent in the machines or should I be concerned?

 

Thanks in advance for your responses,

Highway Star

[SaltyDawg]

What you hear is normal, in fact the whine sound that bothers some is normal for straight cut gears like the RSV has. I doubt you have anything to worry about.

[N3FOL]

At deceleration, I say that is normal as well. My engine sounds like a mini turbo diesel when it starts to really warm up and go.

[Highway Star]

Thanks Guys!! Like I said I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something...

[Venturous Randy]

OK, being the devil's advocate here. There have been problems with the pinion nut breaking off and under accelaration loading and being quite, but under coast, it causes too much gear mesh. I would be suspicious of a LOUD whine under decellaration.

RandyA

[KiteSquid]

what maintenance has the splines of your drive-shaft received?

 

What is the condition of the splines on your drive-shaft?

Edited May 4, 2009 by KiteSquid

[frogmaster]

Agree this is NOT normal. Me thinks something is shifting "forward" (deceleration) vs "aft" (Acceleration).

 

Clutch In vs Out?

In Gear vs In Neutral?

Does this sound same when down shifting?

 

I'm not a great mechanic but I bet someone here can use these answers to get ya very close to Spot On.

 

Goodluck

[Highway Star]

Hello again,

I do not know the condition of the rear splines or the maintanence on them. The sound only occurs when in gear rolling with no throttle. The faster the speed the louder the sound seems to be. Please reply! I am not a mechanic at all, but want to take care of this if needed.(without a trip to the dealer if possible!)

 

Highway Star

[SaltyDawg]

If the sound is coming from the rear of the bike then there might be cause for concern, but I doubt it.

 

From what you described you are doing you are engine braking the bike and it IS NORMAL to hear some whining and it will get progressively louder as you go down through the gears. It's the nature of the beast. These things have straight cut gears and they do make noise. I have had 2 99 RSV's and they both did/do it.

 

You have to consider what you are doing when you engine brake. You are taking something that, with you on it is over a half a ton and using relatively small gears to dissipate your speed and energy. It's going to make some noise.

 

If it really concerns you, look for others in your area you can meet up with to listen to theirs or have them listen to yours. Or take it in to a shop and have them listen to it.

[Highway Star]

Thanks Wayne!! I will follow your advice.

[Highway Star]

Spent yesterday afternoon removing the rear tire and greasing everything with Moly...still the noise when throttle closed. Performance not affected however...I will just enjoy the ride and turn up the tunes for now!!!

[SaltyDawg]

Spent yesterday afternoon removing the rear tire and greasing everything with Moly...still the noise when throttle closed. Performance not affected however...I will just enjoy the ride and turn up the tunes for now!!!

 

Greasing the rear will not get rid of the whine, it is something that should be done with every tire change as a normal maintenance procedure. If it's not done, you will start to get a "Clicking Noise" coming from the rear end when moving forward slowly. Usually a sign of dry splines. The gear whine is always going to be there. The Jetson chirp if you have it can be lessened by changing the clutch basket.

[Highway Star]

What is the Jetson Chirp? I believe I may have missed something...can you explain?

[bobbyduck]

Hey,

 

I believe the "Jetson" chirp refers to the clutch basket whine, or chirp, that is caused by the fitment of straight-cut gears on the clutch basket and primary input gear. Yamaha's party line is that "some do it and some don't but it's not a problem". Personally I think they have loosened their manufacturing tolerances over the years and that is why this is far more prevalent in later models than it was in the First Gens and early VMax's.

 

My 2006 RSTD was an extreme example, with the windshield removed and BUB slip-ons installed, at 70 mph I could hear ONLY the clutch basket.....when I pulled into a driveway people would come over to ask what is wrong with my bike!

 

Mine was improved significantly when Yamaha Canada finally ponied up a new "I" coded clutch basket and installed it. This knocked out about 85 or 90% of the noise. Changing to Amsoil made it even quieter, now it is there but is not an issue.

 

One difference that I had, is that the "chirp" or "whine" was present when I was ON the throttle, it disappeared under deceleration......good luck with yours!