Went riding today through the mountians north of Atlanta, had been riding for a couple of hours (about 100+miles) when we came to a stop and I notice that the bike was making a terrible noise. My first thought was that a bearing was going out but when I pulled off of the road (ie engaged the transmission) the noise went away but when I pulled in on the clutch back came the noise. Stopped with the motor running I thought it may have been something loose that was rattling or vibrating. Checked the bike and motor and could not find anything loose.
Decided to head home and when I restarted the bike the noise was still there. Kept an eye on the oil pressure which stayed in the normal range. It sounded like a rattlaing, clamering noise, kind of tinny almost grinding (internal) and somewhat loud. At idle you could hear it without a problem. Would get worse if I bliped the throttle. While leaving, I noticed the noise would go away when I would put the bike in gear and let out the clutch and was under load. The instant I let off of the throttle as when I was going down hill or slowing down or entering an intersection the noise would return. When I got back on the throttle (put load on motor) noise would go away. At a stop sign noise would come back or when I pulled in on the clutch there it was. Noise did not seem to affect performance of the bike that I could tell nor did the motor seem to be overheating.
After about forty miles of taking it very easy on my way home the noise would come and go as I was under power or not. Then it seemed to stop, I pulled over and the noise
totally went away!! Went on without noticing the noise. Got home and never heard it again. Seems there is no lingering affect as bike sounds and performs well seems to be running perfectly!!
Am going to take it out tomorrow to see what happens. The noise was very upsetting I thought the motor or tranny was going out. Am scheduled to go to NC for the CVO gathering but do not want this thing to fall apart on the trip. Luckily, I have a service appointment Tuesday but if I can not recreate the noise I know the dealer will not do anything.
Has anyone had or heard of this type of problem?? Responses greatly appreciated as I have no idea what happened.