KenK Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I have a new 2010 RT with about 850 miles on it. I have noticed over the last couple of hundred miles a lot of engine noise, I am not that familiar with boxer engines but too me it is some type of valve train noise. There is a lot of clatter and some vibration. None of this noise was present when I first had the bike new. I dropped my bike off today to have some accessories put on and I told them about the engine noise. They said they would have someone ride it while it is there and check it out. While I was waiting for my wife to pick me up, I asked if I could test ride the 2010 demo they had. This bike sounded just like my bike USED to sound. No noise, no clatter. Smooth. I the service mgr to have someone ride both bikes and compare. So here's my question, should my bike that is broken in sound like a bike with 62 miles on it (demo bike)? Should there be a change? I stayed in the parameters for the break in procedure, but I did not baby it at all. I spent a lot of time at different RPM's but I did spend at the upper allowed RPM'S as well. I appreciate your opinions. Thanks, Ken Link to comment
Motodan Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 KenK get a grip....on those handlebars and just ride the damn thing. "Things" change, engine and rest of drive train change with wear. So do you. I imagine the machine was making some noises before, but initially you concentrated more on learning the controls and making sure the oil level was correct. Wear can be a good thing...running in makes for a smoother riding, less tight drive train and this is good until the wear becomes too much...hopefully you'll be at the 100k mark or more by that time. Put your obsessive nature, regarding this bike, into the good hands of Doctor Warranty. Yes, among other things, the warranty, should help you cope with the never ending possibility of something being wrong, might be wrong, could be wrong and is wrong. Just enjoy the machine for what it is and don't let the possibility of what might happen distract you from the "fun" aspects of it all. Easy for me to say..and by the way, have you checked that oil lately? Link to comment
KenK Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 Hi Dan, Oil is spot on. I know I have an obsessive nature but I was curious as to the change and if that is normal or not? Personally I don't think that valve train noise that wasn't there before should be there now. Ken Link to comment
tallman Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Was the 600 mile service done? That is an important event. Link to comment
KenK Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 Was the 600 mile service done? That is an important event. Yes. It was done at 600 miles. Ken Link to comment
blueviewlaguna Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 The initial 20 hours of run time creates at least 50% of the initial break-in wear, with the balance occurring more slowly. I would say that its 100% normal, but have them double-check the valve clearance since this will change with progression of break-in and is the most likely source of the noise. You can also change the oil filter and cut it apart if you are really worried - that said, its a new bike and it will be BMW's responsibility for a long time (3 years). I have (finally) learned to be practical about new items regarding noises, scratches, etc and have enjoyed those new items much more as a result. Link to comment
tallman Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Then ride it hareder. Boxers make noise. It is part of the package. Enjoy. Link to comment
JayW Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 I think you have done the right thing to let the dealer ride it and provide an assessment. If they say it is OK, then take their word for it and just enjoy your new bike. Jay Link to comment
marcopolo Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Ride with earplugs, then nothing will bother you (only half kidding). Link to comment
KenK Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 If it is normal, then I want the dealer to tell me that. I figure I spent about 21k on a bike that sounds noticeably different now than it did 800 miles ago, and I want to make sure things correct. But hey, that's me. Ken Link to comment
hopz Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 So here's my question, should my bike that is broken in sound like a bike with 62 miles on it (demo bike)? Ken Ken... No, a broken in bike should not sound like yours with 62 miles, but wait... It is not "broken in"... by a long shot. My '05 started to feel broken in at about 18,000 miles. (that's thousands) There is a great deal of history on break in happening at about the 18k mark, including my own. Sounds like you have a good dealer. Go with what they say. Link to comment
T__ Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Ken, you want to hear engine noise just open the hood on your car or truck & revv the engine.. Keep in mind that on your BMW motorcycle you are sitting right over the engine & part of the engine is exposed.. If it was colder when you first got your bike the oil probably stayed thicker longer.. Also if you have added a larger windshield that will reflect more engine noise back at you (sometimes a substantial amount of noise).. Try lowering your windshield to see if that eliminates some engine noise.. If you have gone through the first valve adjustment ask the technician where he set the valves.. On shim type valve set up’s (like your 2010 has) I would imagine they close up over mileage so maybe the tec set them to max lash with the idea they will close up over time.. I always set my KLR to max when I do a valve adjustment as the cams have to come up to get the shims out & you better believe I set them to max + a little & that thing clatters for quite a few miles until the valve lash closes a little.. Then you have the fact that after owning the bike for a while the rider tunes into engine & drive train noises as all those other newness worries are gone & a BMW rider needs something to worry about.. Personally I don’t have enough experience with the new cam design to know what is & isn’t normal noise for that engine.. I do know that last years engine with the new cyl head/ camshaft design that your engine is based on was a very noisy engine.. If you want to spend a few dollars to put your mind at ease just send an oil sample in to BlackStone Labs.. Anything wearing or not right inside the engine will show up there.. Twisty Link to comment
sardineone Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 As been stated, really no experience on your particular engine yet. On my hex head not much difference in the sound from new to the current miles at near 18k miles. The added vibes could very well be a bit more power output from loosing up a bit. Your engine should be far from fully run in from past experience of previous boxer motors. I'd think noisey valves are much safer than quiet(tight) ones. My old Moto Guzzi must be very safe in that respect and would scare you to death. Keep up your service records and let the warranty bail you out if needed. Link to comment
motorbob Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Ken, As much as I like my RT I must admit that the engine is a CLUNKER compared to previous bikes (2007 K1200GT or ST 1300 and GL1800 Gold Wing) Its got character,soul, presence etc but its basically an air cooled engine and its makes all sorts of noises you dont hear in a liquid cooled engine. That is normal. Stop worrying about it and just go riding. There is nothing wrong with you RT. Link to comment
bimmers Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Itis of course a twin so don't compare it to 4 or 6 cyl ones. The 2010 engine is different from the earlier ones and it may be that the valve mechanisms are louder too. Mine I feel is always smooth as silk when cold or with new oil, after that it has many more sounds and for sure doesn't sound like the ones passing me. Of course the exhaust of the ones passing me is in front of me and mine is behind. Just keep the oil glass full and it is quieter. ride it like you stole it I was told and then it iwill be broken in a t20k. Now at 18k so still ways to go. have fun and enjoy it. Link to comment
lvnvbiker Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 As things seat, or "bed in" and the motor loosens up (a good thing) it will get more vocal. Look at the R motor like a new girlfriend, when the relationship is fresh and new they are quiet and demure, but after a while they open up and let thier true nature show getting more vocal the whole way. They have some clatter and tick by nature of the design, and IMO it is part of the charm and soul of the boxer motor. All motors get noisier with age it is just the nature of the beast, ride and enjoy my friend, ride and enjoy... Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Ride with earplugs, then nothing will bother you (only half kidding). Jim Link to comment
Paul In Australia Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Hi Ken So what did the dealer say re the engine noise? regards Paul Link to comment
KenK Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share Posted March 13, 2010 Hi Paul, I haven't heard back from them yet. I'm not in a rush anyway as we have 4 days of rain. I admit that I am a picky guy but that still doesn't change the fact that the valve train noise is much different now and I want to know why. Ken Link to comment
KenK Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share Posted March 13, 2010 As things seat, or "bed in" and the motor loosens up (a good thing) it will get more vocal. Look at the R motor like a new girlfriend, when the relationship is fresh and new they are quiet and demure, but after a while they open up and let thier true ... Here's were we are different. I like my bikes and my girlfriend tight. Ken Link to comment
Motodan Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 As things seat, or "bed in" and the motor loosens up (a good thing) it will get more vocal. Look at the R motor like a new girlfriend, when the relationship is fresh and new they are quiet and demure, but after a while they open up and let thier true ... Here's were we are different. I like my bikes and my girlfriend tight. Ken Well if that's the case, assume your girlfriend is and will be a virgin for a long time? Link to comment
KenK Posted March 13, 2010 Author Share Posted March 13, 2010 As things seat, or "bed in" and the motor loosens up (a good thing) it will get more vocal. Look at the R motor like a new girlfriend, when the relationship is fresh and new they are quiet and demure, but after a while they open up and let thier true ... Here's were we are different. I like my bikes and my girlfriend tight. Ken Well if that's the case, assume your girlfriend is and will be a virgin for a long time? Hope my wife doesn't find out! Ken Link to comment
Motodan Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 As things seat, or "bed in" and the motor loosens up (a good thing) it will get more vocal. Look at the R motor like a new girlfriend, when the relationship is fresh and new they are quiet and demure, but after a while they open up and let thier true ... Here's were we are different. I like my bikes and my girlfriend tight. Ken Well if that's the case, assume your girlfriend is and will be a virgin for a long time? Hope my wife doesn't find out! Ken Hope your "tight" girl friend doesn't tell her. Link to comment
Paul In Australia Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Hi Ken be sure to let us all know what the dealer says. I am now fascinated to find out. Have fun. By the way the RT is the best bike I have ever ridden in the rain. If you don't stop you don't get wet. The bike will give you better and longer service than the girlfriend ( at least in my limited experience) regards paul Link to comment
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