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[UUNetBill]

So my new RG is a ticking machine.  From the day I bought it it’s been ticking...sounds like valvetrain to me, but of course the dealer says it’s normal, it’ll quiet down after the 1K service, they all do that, the M8 is inherently noisy, etc.

Bottom line - it’s getting annoying, it’s no worse but it’s no better, either.  Just had the 1K done and the tech said it’s normal.  I don’t know if I’m just paranoid because of the lifter stories online or if I really need to start pushing to get someone higher up the food chain to give it a listen.  Doesn’t seem to be temp related, and it’s most noticeable at around 2,000-2,500 steady cruise or slight acceleration.  It quiets down under heavier throttle.  It seems a bit noisier than my older 103, but that one had louder pipes and an intake, so maybe I just didn’t notice it?

Anyone else have any noise issues?  I’ve told the dealer that if it IS a lifter issue, it’s a helluva lot cheaper and easier to fix now than after the mill grenades.

Thoughts?

[motor1]

Have heard about oil pumps failing, but the valve train on the M8 has been quiet. Ask dealer to start up one from inventory for you to compare.

[grc]

What he said.^^^       Many dealership people are so used to blowing people off with the old "that's normal" or "they all do that" they often fail to even check simple things.  So far all the reports I've seen from people with M8's indicate the engine is MUCH quieter than their previous Twin Cams.  Have the dealership fire up a few other M8's and both they and you compare those to yours.  If the others are quiet and yours isn't, tell them you want yours to be just like those "normal" ones.  Btw, the expression "normal" is pretty much meaningless, but they still love to use it. 

Jerry

[Joel]

I took a new CVO Limited for a test ride a few months back, one thing the salesman said about the M8 was how much quieter the new engines are.
It didn't sound any quieter than my 15.
My 15 is much quieter than any of my previous Harley's, and for
the last month so quiet you would think it was in storage.
But like others have said, have the dealer start up a new bike next to yours to compare.
Also get  copy from service department each time you have expressed concerns, on everything. So you have records, and if something comes up they can't say they don't have history of your concerns.

[UUNetBill]

Good advice, all.  Thanks.  I’ve made sure to have them document every time I have them check the ticking.  Want that paper trail!

This one is a bit noisier than the other 107s they have on the floor, but I wasn’t sure if the 117 had any changes to the valvetrain (cam profile, spring rate, etc) that would cause the 117 to be louder than a 107.  And of course the dealer doesn’t have any other 117s in stock right now.  I’ll keep after them.  Thanks!

[red ben59]

My M8 started as a 107, had the stage IV 117 kit installed and it is quiet. Have had five 110 TC's so I know about top end noise  Still have a 2014 CVO limited it has been the quietest of the 110's I've owned but it still has valve train noise. The 117 is QUIET!!!!! compared to the TC's

[ltank]

I only ride tried and true S&S Big motors. V111 and V124 .

[crobson]

I have a 17 114 and was really impressed with how quite the motor was over my prior 110 twin cam. honestly cant say anything one way or the other on the 18s

[LMH]

Not sure where you are with this as it has been several months but my 2018 117 M8 is quiet. Of course my 16 114 was so loud it was ridiculous. And if you can believe this Harley said "it's normal, they all sound that way".  I was impressed that they were able to get a brand new 2016 CVO to sound like a Model A. I actually had people roll down their car windows to ask me if the bike was having issues at red lights. i let them know "it's normal, they all sound that way"...
So compared to that my 2018 117 is a dream both in lack of motor noise and in power.

[iski]

Have not heard a ticking sound from any of the 117s.  Dealers like to say 'they all do that.'  When you find out what it is, appreciate a report.

[Twolanerider]

When the dipstick(s) at the dealership tell you the sound is "normal" say "prove it."  Have them start a half dozen bikes on the dealer floor and see if they all sound like they've got rocks in their pocket.

[Unbalanced]

Are you sure the noise isn’t pinging  especially since it quiets after a range?     If you hammer it down low say 2300 rpm to 5000 do you hear it every time?

What octane gas/brand do like to run?   Have you tried an octane booster safe to sensors?

Dealership numbnuts don’t usually want to investigate they wanna change parts. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[UUNetBill]

Just a quick update on this - the ticking hasn’t gotten worse but it sure hasn’t gotten better.  It’s not pinging, it sounds more like valvetrain noise but it’s coming more from inside the case, not from the cam side.  But I finally had the service manager listen to it after I insisted it wasn’t normal and they finally agreed that there’s something wrong.  They sent some video to the MoCo and got the go ahead to open it up and see what’s wrong with it.  They’re guessing oil pump but we won’t know until we’re in there.  I’m dropping it off tonight.

I probably didn’t do too good of a job explaining the sound, but it’s fairly random...it happens both on and off throttle, more than just valvetrain clatter but not quite a knock.  And I did have them start a few other M8 bikes to compare with and they were all more quiet than mine...that’s when they’d say, “Oh the CVOs have a bigger cam, they’ll be louder”.  I’d have to have lobes the size of my fist to make that kind of noise.

I’ll update once we know more.

Thanks to all for your input.

[Para Bellum]

the dealer says:
it’s normal....BS
it’ll quiet down after the 1K service....BS
they all do that....BS
the M8 is inherently noisy....Complete BS

it sounds more like valvetrain noise but it’s coming more from inside the case, not from the cam side....They’re guessing oil pump but we won’t know until we’re in there.

I wonder if they know where the oil pump is?   

Dealerships....They all do that.   

[fastfreddy]

 so this is going to be interesting.... waiting to hear about there findings