So...my 2010 SESG with 24K miles starts making some bad knocking and "whooshing" noises down low. Dealer replaces a damaged compensator. Go to pick up the "repaired' bike and still making noise. Leave at the dealer and get a call that front cylinder failed compression test and they are replacing both pistons and cylinders and reworking the heads. They said that they checked the crank shaft and flywheels and they were fine. When I asked what could cause this on a relatively low mileage, babied bike, the service mgr really couldn't say but suspected "bad gas". Think he shoulda stuck with "don't know". Dealer did step up and give me an Ultra as a loaner, so they are trying to keep me happy.
Got the bike back on Friday and runs great. No noise. Even the "normal" valve train sounds seem reduced. When I again questioned the service mgr as to possible cause he could only point to very heavy carbon buildup and still thinks that may be crappy E-10 fuel, even though I try and stick with either Shell or BP premium. Who knows.
Final tally from the bottom up:
New Compensator
New cams
New lifters
2 new pistons and ring sets
2 new cylinders
New Valve seals
Heads reworked
So as far as I am concerned, the best accessory that you can add to your bike is most definitely an Extended Service Plan.