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[Touring83]

Last weekend I noticed a pinging noise I've never heard before. It sounded like small rocks hitting the frame or metal parts of the bike. I thought maybe I got a hold of some bad gas. After filling up again this weekend, it still happened.

This only happens at WOT or close to it. I don't run WOT often at all, maybe just occasional fun on a country straight away. But, still a little concerning. Other than the noise, the bike doesn't skip a beat. I always use 93 octane. Bike is a 2014 CVO RK. Any advice is appreciated!

[262 CVO 16]

That's DETONATION if I understand right. There are numerous reasons why it could be happening.  I'm sure others will chime in to assist,  but from my experience running Lean is a sure cause. I hadon't a Sporty w a S1 Lightning top end, ran like a raped ape, until a bunch of pinging and I chunked the rear piston and started puking oil out of my air cleaner. I'd use better gas and check your tune. My $00.02.

[Ridgerunr]

Get it tuned. There could be some detonation occurring you can't hear=silent killer.

[Touring83]

I had it tuned a few months ago and the AFR looked great, but will get it back in ASAP. I do know that it's been much warmer here so maybe that has something to do with it. It's weird that it just started doing it these last couple weekends which has been around 80 degrees rather than 50/60's like I was previously riding in.

I will continue to use higher octane as I always have.
Thanks for the replies!

[HUBBARD]

Yeah, a little higher octane will help, but don't lug it.  Like twistin' it from 2000 RPM.  Keep your RPM's around 3-3500, before you lay the fuel to it.  In any gear.  Works for me.  Later--HUBBARD

[Fired00d]

Yeah, a little higher octane will help, but don't lug it.  Like twistin' it from 2000 RPM.  Keep your RPM's around 3-3500, before you lay the fuel to it.  In any gear.  Works for me.  Later--HUBBARD

That's what I was thinking too... before you go changing things check your RPM's when this happens and if they are low like Hubbard mentions downshift get the RPM's up and throw the coals to it.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Touring83]

Thanks again, guys. I may not have made it clear with the original post, but I have always used 93 octane. As far as RPM's, I always try to stay around 2800-3000 when cruising. On any bike I've had, I've avoided the lower RPM range. However I will still be aware of what you guys mentioned.

Now that it's done it two weekends in a row, I will avoid an aggressive throttle hand and will lay off of riding much overall until I can ride it to my tuner.

Thanks!

[grc]

If you always buy fuel from the same station, try a different station.  Just because the sign on the pump says 93 octane doesn't mean you always get 93 octane.  And the bike shouldn't ping even with 91 octane if it's tuned correctly and has no other issues like an intake air leak or a sensor going bad. 

Jerry

[North Star]

Carbon build up, which our bikes are infamous for, will also cause detonation.

[snowrider13]

Mine was caused by carbon build up from valve guide seal failure. Started @ about 13,000 miles and got progressively worst. Keep an eye on your oil level, you will be suprised how much those seals can let by.

[phato1]

I recommend checking the heat shields on your exhaust system for loose or broken clamps. I had a noise I would have sworn was detonation due to tuning issues but I was completely wrong on the source of the "ping". The front cylinder exhaust pipe heat shield had a busted clamp mount and under load the shield would wiggle just right....

FWIW my "ping" was in the 2800- 3000 rpm range and accelerating from there with slightly heavy wrist.

[Unbalanced]

Turn up the music .   If different gas doesn't fix it you might try retarding the timing. Data gather should capture it and then you will know exactly where to retard and see how much the knock sensor is taking out.

[Touring83]

My breather is vented to where oil does not go into the throttle body, but still a possibility from when it previously wasn't vented. I'm sure there are still other ways carbon can build up. I'll also check my heat shields, but high RPM didn't seem to effected it. When I gradually hit higher RPM, it does not make the sound. Even if the RPM's aren't real high, it will still do it specifically at wide open throttle.

I appreciate the posts again. Believe me I will check EVERYTHING you are all saying and go over every detail to make sure this gets fixed!

Turn up the music .   

Ah this whole time, that was it?! 

[Ridgerunr]

"I had it tuned a few months ago and the AFR looked great, "

It may have too much timing in the area where detonation is occurring. My 110 would ping in a 6th gear roll on @ 75 mph, timing was adjusted and it's better.

[grc]

Since the noise is load dependent and not just rpm, it's unlikely to be a loose heat shield but I'd still check them anyway.  Carbon buildup has been an issue with many 110's, so that is a possible issue as well.  However, that tends to change over a longer period of time than what you've indicated.  Odds are the person doing your tune went a bit too aggressive on the timing, or something like the TMAP sensor has failed and the ECM isn't reading load or intake air temp properly.  When you open the throttle at low to medium rpm the engine vacuum drops and that should signal the ECM to retard timing.  What I'm getting at is that someone needs to do some basic diagnostics to address the root cause, and not just make a quick adjustment adding fuel or pulling out ignition advance.  If your tuner is one of the good ones, he will do some diagnostics before just tweaking the tune.

If it were me, I'd ask the tuner to set the bike up to run properly on 89 octane or at most 91, and not 93.  There are many areas where you can't reliably get 93 octane fuel.  The small amount of difference in maximum power will be impossible for most butt dyno's to detect.

JMHO - Jerry