www.CVOHARLEY.com

Custom Vehicle Discussions => CVO™ Road Glide Ultra® => Topic started by: motor1 on October 26, 2014, 09:54:50 PM

Title: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: motor1 on October 26, 2014, 09:54:50 PM
Took delivery last week, noticed when my speed is above 50 something in the fairing makes a whistle noise like a tea kettle. It gets so loud above 60 you can hear it over the stereo.I have tried opening and closing the vents and it makes no difference. I have started a series of test rides rides where I have taped up the base of the windshield and again it makes no difference. Anyone else experiencing this noise? Thoughts?
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: mjb765 on October 26, 2014, 11:13:04 PM
This may have nothing to do with it, but a friend of mine has a whistle that we figured out was coming from the trim ring around his headlight!
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: Beemer on October 27, 2014, 05:25:25 AM
Try changing helmets.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: T-Roy on October 27, 2014, 09:01:00 AM
This may have nothing to do with it, but a friend of mine has a whistle that we figured out was coming from the trim ring around his headlight!

Glad to hear this!! I put a headlight visor trim rin on my bike a couple of weeks ago. I also around the same time started hearing a whistleing noise and was worried that my front tire was making the noise.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: GregKhougaz on October 27, 2014, 01:13:53 PM
You say you're hearing unexplained, whistling noises?    :nervous:    :nervous: 
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: smkngnr on October 28, 2014, 09:42:23 AM
I have the same whistle on my 15 FLTRUSE.  Happens around 60 mph.  Taking it in for the 1K service tomorrow.  Will have them look at that and the audio system - speed volume control isn't working.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: ddeltoro on October 28, 2014, 04:24:58 PM
I have a 2015 FLTRUSE and am also experiencing this same whistle and at the same speeds.  I'm wondering if the seal between the windshield and the fairing is not tight enough.  If anyone is able to solve this whistle problem please let us know on this forum.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: FLSTFI Dave on October 29, 2014, 09:05:05 AM
I have the same whistle on my 15 FLTRUSE.  Happens around 60 mph.  Taking it in for the 1K service tomorrow.  Will have them look at that and the audio system - speed volume control isn't working.

Speed volume control is one of many things not working on your radio / navigation unit.  Dealer can on;y document the issue and send the complaint to HD. 

The soft ware had had two updates since I got my bike, and neither have fixed that issue.  The newest version is 1.18.2.

Other issues are auto dimming, not going bright again.
Text notification not working
Text auto reply not working
Time zone wrong for East TN
Front to rear fade
Head set speakers not working for phone

And many more... 

Not bad for a head unit they have been using for 16 months, still can't get it right
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: SHRADER on October 29, 2014, 10:13:29 PM
Don't rule out the signal lights. Both on my RK whistled until I got the angle and lens position right.

I know the mounting location and hardware are different but the bullet lights themselves are the same.

Regards
Shrader
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: TinSpinner on October 30, 2014, 09:26:07 AM
I had to buy deer whistles for my bikes, didn't know they were standard equipment now.  ;)
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: ddeltoro on October 30, 2014, 09:30:41 AM
I had to buy deer whistles for my bikes, didn't know they were standard equipment now.  ;)

That's it.....that's the best you could add to this thread in trying to figure out a problem?  Wow!!!
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: motor1 on October 30, 2014, 09:46:41 PM
Looked at turn signals, unlike 98-13 Road Glides they are not adjustable. Gonna go on the road with a roll of blue painters tape ( do this only in dry weather ) and tape up various areas one at a time and see what happens. Used to work in a car dealership and found this worked on cars with similar wind noises.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: smkngnr on December 24, 2014, 12:43:06 PM
Took the bike to the dealer last week to readdress whistling and AVC issues.  Wrote a letter to the MOCO today, with a copy to my servicing dealer.  Hope they address the issue on the 15 FLTRUSE.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: smkngnr on December 24, 2014, 12:48:57 PM
motor1 - That's a good idea.  Once you figure out the culprit, next step will be the MOCO providing a fix.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: smkymtnboy on December 24, 2014, 07:18:54 PM
That's it.....that's the best you could add to this thread in trying to figure out a problem?  Wow!!!
think he was  just trying to a add a little humor :2vrolijk_21: these guys on this forum will help figure it out. there is tons smarts and experience on this forum.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: motor1 on December 27, 2014, 11:51:22 PM
Here is what I have discovered (so far), I have taped up various points of the front fairing when I taped up the gap between the bottom of the headlight lens and the fairing; lo and behold the whistle disappeared. The culprit area is a gap of about an 1/8 of an inch; not sure how to seal it without it looking like crap.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: Lars on December 28, 2014, 12:20:00 AM
Could a piece of that round foam cord 3/8" diameter (Black color)be pushed into the gap and cure the problem. The foam cord will squeeze down to about 1/8".
Hope this helps.
I know that whistle can be very annoying.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: motor1 on December 29, 2014, 11:10:13 PM
Could a piece of that round foam cord 3/8" diameter (Black color)be pushed into the gap and cure the problem. The foam cord will squeeze down to about 1/8".
Hope this helps.
I know that whistle can be very annoying.

Lars

Sounds like a possible solution, not sure where to buy foam cord (although I remember seeing it somewhere). You also happen to be right the whistle is extremely annoying; sounds like a dog in heat!
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: Lars on December 30, 2014, 03:00:47 AM
The round foam cord should be available at any well stocked hardware or lumber store.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: smkngnr on January 11, 2015, 11:34:50 AM
I called customer service and told them where the whistle came from.  They said they would pass it to engineering/design.  I also let the dealer know. 
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: OBB on January 11, 2015, 11:55:02 AM
Tagging this thread. Gonna be another few months before I can get mine back on the road though. Have to wait for the spring rains to clean all the salt off the roads.  :-X
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: smkngnr on March 01, 2015, 08:37:19 AM
Sent another letter to the MOCO about this problem with the 2015 FLTRUSE and explained the suspected cause (thanks motor1).  We'll see if they figure out a fix soon.  I'm thinking it will require some sort of trim ring around the headlamps that covers the gap.  They have a wind tunnel (or at least access to it) and engineers.  Here's hoping. 
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: OBB on March 01, 2015, 09:09:31 AM
Sent another letter to the MOCO about this problem with the 2015 FLTRUSE and explained the suspected cause (thanks motor1).  We'll see if they figure out a fix soon.  I'm thinking it will require some sort of trim ring around the headlamps that covers the gap.  They have a wind tunnel (or at least access to it) and engineers.  Here's hoping. 
Bad thing is, IF the engineers are in the tunnel with the bike, they're probably wearing hearing protection and can't hear it.  ::)
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: popsracing on March 01, 2015, 09:23:33 AM
Had this on my 2011 cvo Roadglide...I figured out it was coming from the windshield because when I'd reach up and flex the shield the whistle pitch would change...Dealer put on the Roadglide bottom windshield trim piece and that took care of it.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: Texas 103 on March 13, 2015, 06:26:02 PM
motor1 - That's a good idea.  Once you figure out the culprit, next step will be the MOCO providing a fix.

The next step is us finding the fix... MOCO seeing it on here and  them issuing a TSB...PROBLEM SOLVED...
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: navigator on June 01, 2015, 11:18:24 AM
In search of cord this week, thanks for finding where it comes from!
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: bkervaski on June 01, 2015, 11:41:05 AM
You just need louder pipes  :bananarock:
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: smkngnr on June 11, 2015, 03:21:00 PM
Working on the better pipes...  Sent letter #3 to HD last week detailing the whistle as well as an AVC issue I have on the 15 FLTRUSE.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: TNCarters on June 11, 2015, 04:27:41 PM
Not sure if mine is making this noise or not.  I do not hear it so if it is its in a frequency range my ears have long since stopped receiving due to shooting, loud music and loud machinery (and loud pipes).  Guess its a blessing and a curse.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: smkngnr on June 12, 2015, 01:08:50 PM
Update.  I received a call from Customer Support today.  "They cannot duplicate the condition on their bike, and there are not enough complaints to consider the whistle a defect in the design of the motorcycle."  Not many 2015 CVO Road Glides out there, so chances are there will never be "enough" complaints to warrant a fix.  Way to go, MOCO...
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: smkngnr on June 12, 2015, 01:33:40 PM
If you are having this issue, write a letter.  I can send the letter I sent if you need a template.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: FullBagger on June 12, 2015, 03:40:05 PM
Loud pipes saves lives but that's not the whole story.

It also saves the frustration and irritation brought on by those "non existent" noises HD's have.

My 15 makes a lot of noises but no whistle. Sorry no help from me.

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon!
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: FLSTFI Dave on June 12, 2015, 08:28:47 PM
I have just over 12,700 miles on my 15 SERGU and have not heard a whistle. 

The AVC, I have called and sent letters.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: TNCarters on July 12, 2015, 12:39:40 PM
Three months into ownership and mine has started the whistle noise at between 60-65 mph.  Seems strange that it just started.  Looked at the area under the head light and a bit funny but it has a strong resemblance to the shape of a referee whistle.  Looks like the outer fairing has to come off to get to the area between the light and the fairing. Anyone done a mod to stop this and did you have to take the outer fairing off?
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: 2014WtGld on July 12, 2015, 02:41:06 PM
Mine has a faint train horn sound around 60 mph also. I wouldn't call it annoying. But to combat it I ride above that. Now the avc and randomness of the volume not working at all is another story.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: TNCarters on July 16, 2015, 10:29:15 AM
Well guess I'll try again.  Took outer fairing off and put an auto molding rubber in the gap below headlight.  Put everything back together and it now wistles at 50 mph instead of 60???  Put tape back on the space and that stops it so it appears the shape of the gap filler also affects the wind whistle.  Guess I'll take it all apart again and change the configuration of the molding to be closer to the front of the gap like the tape and be sure the entire space is filled so no wind gets through. 

In the process of doing this I checked my XM antenna install and it was in the proper location right under the vent cover.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: TNCarters on July 18, 2015, 07:24:47 AM
Just to update, took fairing off again and moved molding forward to front edge of headlight plugging every air gap all the way across gap.  Put everything back together and seems to have stopped all whistling.  A side bonus I think the fairing squeak when going over bumps has gone away for now.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: RGlideKid on July 27, 2015, 07:34:53 PM
We get a whistling noise on ours also.  It starts at around 35-40mph, quietly and subtly at first, then gets louder as you go faster.  We can't hear the noise with music playing, but it is slightly annoying at 55-60 without music going.
Just for giggles, I closed the center vent and immediately lost about 75% of the noise. I opened it back up to see if I was just "hearing things" and the noise came back.  Closed the vent again, noise greatly diminished again.
My guess is (at least for our bike) that the air moving through the center vent is being forced into it just enough (like a venturi), that it makes a faint windy-whistling kind of a noise.
Try it on your bikes and see if it helps the whistling noise level to close the center vent.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: TNCarters on July 27, 2015, 07:49:38 PM
Mine did not appear to be affected by vents.  Just for fun put a piece of painters tape over the gap below the headlight and see if it goes away.  Did about 300 miles on mine Saturday up to the Dover,TN  LBL and Baby Dragon area and noise seems to be gone after pulling the outer fairing twice and filling the gap with automotive molding from Pep Boys.  As a side benefit a minor fairing rattle is gone too but never figured out where it was coming from.  My whistle did not start until I had over 2000 miles.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: ACfixer on July 27, 2015, 07:52:02 PM
Guys, I wasn't getting any whistling at any speed when I got the bike. I change to the Freedom shield for a test run and no issues... When I swapped back to the OEM I started getting a whistle at LOW speeds, like under 30. Reaching up with my hand and messing with the shield helped or worsened as I pushed or pulled. Got home, I loosened the screws and had my lady push the center of the base down and re-snugged 'em. Seemed to fix the issue, we'll see. It sounds like it might be a separate issue from what you are experiencing, but it's worth a try at an easy fix.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: OBB on July 27, 2015, 09:25:42 PM
It's MoCo's built in deer whistle gizmo. ::)
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: MAZ on February 05, 2016, 04:55:58 PM
I have a 2015 Road Glide Ultra CVO and have this whistling noise as well. I hear it mostly at 65 – 70 mph. After experimenting with closing off various gaps in the fairing with painters tape and then road testing each time, I found that the gap between the lower part of the headlight and the fairing on my bike was definitely the culprit.
I phoned a few Harley dealers (service dept) and all stated they never heard of the problem. I will try the 3/8" foam suggestion that I seen in another thread. I also read on another post that one person took outer fairing off and put a piece of automotive moulding from Pep Boys into the gap. I'm not pulling off outer fairing myself on a new bike as this should be a warranty fix from HD. Any other or new solutions out there?
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: zippets on May 25, 2016, 08:56:07 AM
I purchased an 2015 RGS i added the lowers i never had a whistle noise until i changed out the inserts that are for the water cooled model (i did this for more cooling) once i did this i got the whistle sound

I hope this helps you out 
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: Al Hawes on November 29, 2016, 12:43:41 AM
I realize this is an old topic but have not seen a solution ....so here goes. after removing your windshield and pulling off the top vent cowel you will notice a foam piece under the leading edge(weather stripping) ,this piece is not thick enough and if you replace it with a longer thicker piece of weather stripping the whistling stops. Hope this helps.....my first post so  .......be gentle
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: roadrunner on November 29, 2016, 09:52:54 AM
Anyone try x-trim around the windshield?

http://www.xcycletrim.com/trim-kits/ (http://www.xcycletrim.com/trim-kits/)
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: Lprez on November 29, 2016, 11:38:55 AM
X Trim worked very well for me on my 2011 RGC fairing but haven't needed it (yet?) on my 2015 RGU.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: FXDFSE on November 30, 2016, 11:15:45 PM
Go to the dealer and get the fairing gasket kit for the center vent to eliminate the noise.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: OBB on December 01, 2016, 07:59:26 AM
Go to the dealer and get the fairing gasket kit for the center vent to eliminate the noise.
Haven't heard of that one yet. Got a part number for it?
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: FXDFSE on December 19, 2016, 09:03:11 PM
Talk to the service department - H-D has a fix for the new RG top duct.  It is a strip of foam that fits between the outer and inner fairing to get rid of the slight edge between the two surfaces that are causing the whistle.  If your dealer does not know about this kit, have them call the tech department at Milwaukee.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: SEFast on December 23, 2016, 01:38:30 PM
Just stopped by the dealer and asked about the center vent fairing gasket kit.  They knew exactly what I was talking about and had them in stock for $6.95.
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: grc on December 23, 2016, 04:12:37 PM
Just stopped by the dealer and asked about the center vent fairing gasket kit.  They knew exactly what I was talking about and had them in stock for $6.95.

If this was the kit Harley released to fix a defect (whistling noise), it should have been no charge and they should have installed it as well under warranty.  It would be nice to actually see any bulletin, if in fact H-D really sent a bulletin to dealers about this problem.  :nixweiss:

Jerry
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: zigzag930 on June 19, 2017, 06:59:00 PM
I had the factory rep come down to look at that whistling noise and he said, they all make that noise.  Didn't mention a kit to fix it.   Dealer tried everything to fix the noise, but couldn't figure it out.

Can someone please post the part #, so I can go get one.

Thanks
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: flhman on June 20, 2017, 08:53:30 AM
I had the factory rep come down to look at that whistling noise and he said, they all make that noise.  Didn't mention a kit to fix it.   Dealer tried everything to fix the noise, but couldn't figure it out.

Can someone please post the part #, so I can go get one.

Thanks

Yes a part number would be great, thanks. flhman
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: zigzag930 on June 27, 2017, 08:34:40 PM
Can't say if it's the same noise (or issue), but I had a problem similar to this with my '16 RGU.  Brought the bike in under wty several times.  Finally had HD Factory rep look at it.  Unfortunately, no one but me could hear the noise (whistle, whatever).  Needless to say, it never got resolved and I decided to let it go.

Since then I've ridden 2 other Road Glides as well the FLTRUSE I traded my FLTRU for this April.  It has the same noise.  Not always at the same speed, but generally occurs in the 50mph range, give or take a few MPH.

Sometimes it's more noticeable than other times.  Perhaps temperature has some part in this or direction/wind speeds, etc?  I don't know.

I will go up the my dealer and see what they know about this part....
Title: Re: Whistle noise above 50MPH
Post by: OBB on June 27, 2017, 08:39:21 PM
Built in deer whistle.  :2vrolijk_21: