Cured the Chirp (sort of)

[donaldj2242]

Had a old J&M headsets laying around. I cut the wires going to the helmet speakers and installed a female stereo audio jack, which hangs outside the helmet. I plug in my earbuds and jam them into my ears. Hook up my MP3 player into my audio system on the bike. Turn the audio system to headsets (HS) and hear nothing but classic rock and the rumbling of my V4 coming out of my baffleless HD Road King pipes. Man the sound is great and it makes you wonder how great this bike would be without the CHIRP. The sound quality of the CB is a lot better too.

[gibvel]

Has anyone every tried a chin curtain on their helmet? I know that if I put my hand up to the bottom of my helmet, closing the opening in my full face that's just below the chin, the volume of the chirp drops about 75%

[cecdoo]

I just picked my bike up from the dealer, I would say the "I" basket fix got rid of most of the chirp, its still there but it is totally tolerable now, cant believe the difference. If you havent had it done yet, I would highly recommend it. Even the pipes sound better now:cool10: Craig

[Guest JGorom]

Don...I would go for a more permanent solution. I had a 2005 RSTD that howled like a banshee but after two clutch basket swap outs it was like riding a different bike...much quieter. Others here have gone the same route like Cecdoo. Your bike is under warrantee and this issue is covered...someday you will want to sell that bike and if you don't get it fixed then you will limit yourself to either those who are deaf or those who can't hear. Why put yourself or your passenger through that misery?

 

Later...

[emack]

How many times will Yamaha replace the clutch basket under warranty?... I just had the "I" basket put in my 2006 RSTD and it made no difference. I called customer service at Yamaha Star division and they basically said the square cut gears 'are what they are' (my mechanic said the same thing). I wore a set of foam ear plugs this morning and it helped a lot. What a shame though... such a great bike in every way.. but that dam whine....

[gibvel]

How many times will Yamaha replace the clutch basket under warranty?... I just had the "I" basket put in my 2006 RSTD and it made no difference. I called customer service at Yamaha Star division and they basically said the square cut gears 'are what they are' (my mechanic said the same thing). I wore a set of foam ear plugs this morning and it helped a lot. What a shame though... such a great bike in every way.. but that dam whine....

Once under warranty.

[Freebird]

I think that may be the official answer but I do know of several riders who have had it replaced more than once under warranty. I would pursue it.

 

I would also mention that it is not always the clutch basket that causes the whine. The clutch basket causes more of a high pitched chirping sound. There have been many cases of a whine being caused by problems in the rear end.