What do you think..

[desliderman]

A noise.  Hard to explain but I'll try.

I have a 2012 xciting ri w/abs.  Presently, a little under 4k miles.   Early into it's life I started to notice a noise.  I'll describe it as a rumble, a growl or vibration.  Only does it under load and it disappears after about 2500 rpm.  Not consistant--sometimes really noticeable, other times, not so.

The noise is definitely originating right where the variator is-right at the silver part of the engine cover.

My riding friend said it sounded to her at first like a detonation, now thinks it could be something cam related.

Won't do it on the center stand unless I apply the brake while giving it throttle.

Took it to the dealer around 2k.  He pulled the cover off the engine and we checked everything.  The belt looked good, the clutch, variator and weights--no sign of rubbing, or abnormal wear.

It still does it.

I haven't pulled the spark plug to see how it looks.  Could be a good indication of what the engine's health might be.

The dealer seems to think it's the belt.  Explained it to me like it's a little loose at first when you take off so what he says I'm hearing is that.  Once it builds up momentum the belt stretches. Still no indication of abnormal belt wear.

Does this make any sense?  Ideas.../   I'm going to AMERIVESPA in two weeks and don't want to get stranded 2 states from home.   

[Hoolander2]

A number of us have had clutch "growl" here and it's been discussed.  If that's what it is, it is not a problem.  Just a nuisance.  With mine it was more of a squeal or maybe a howl.  Goes away as soon as the clutch fully engages around 2500rpm.  I can't say I ever noticed vibration along with it, though.  Solutions talked about were 1) Start off more aggressively consistantly.  That'll clean some glaze off the pads. OR 2) Hold the brakes and open the throttle as much as you dare for a few seconds every once in a while. OR 3) drill some small holes in the clutch bell around the outside radius. Helps get rid of dust and glaze. OR my solution was to get an after market clutch.  It won't hurt anything if you just let it be, though. 

That's IF that's what your noise is. 

Did the mechanic actually take off the variator?  Some of us have had variator failure due to, I guess several reasons.  Mainly us doing things we shouldn't have done.    But one way to check the variator without disassembly is to grab the back half (the back or inside pulley sheave) and try to quite forcefully wiggle it.  It should not move but if it does, the boss or bushing is wearing out and you're in imminent danger of big time failure without notice.  Well, it MIGHT make rattling noises first.  All you need to do is take off the CVT plastic covers and metal cover to check this.  Try to be carefull with the gasket but if you break it, it's not critical.

[zombie]

You are a Champ Hoo!

[Vivo]

What about a "grunt".  Coasting around 40mph on an uneven road, I feel and hear a grunt on the floorboard area when ever the rear suspension plays. I don't know what it is. Some s8 owners also experience this. Sometimes its there and sometimes not...

[sissy mary]

D-man, At 4,000 miles I would not worry. I think this is more or less normal for this scoot. Just some glaze? Checking if the variator is tight like Hoo said is not a bad idea though. If it get's worse, take it to the dealer A.S.A.P, belts are $221.00 now.

[sissy mary]

Vivo, the engine moves up and down with the suspension. Put it on the side stand, push down on the seat, and watch as the front of engine go's up and down. I think your just hearing all of this mass moving about. You could make sure all is tight with what looks like the swing arm and such, but I think it's nothing.

[htcneil2]

Common problem. Ride it out, it eventually goes away. Or I just don't notice it anymorr

[ahonekal]

Ive got this same noise just when clutch takes on. I opened clutch, cleaned it and noise was gone. But now it is back sometimes, everything else is working ok. Riding with heavier load, no noise at all.

[Cortez]

And it'll go away after riding hard for a while.
That's normal.
Aftermarket clutch is the solution, but an expensive one,
but really, this is more of a feature and not an issue.

[sissy mary]

I have read post on forums of other bikes, and often they speak of this. It's just the way a variator and centrif :-*ical clutch system works I guess?

[desliderman]

Thanks all...

I've decided that it's a resonance (for lack of a better word).  Noticed it actually goes away around 4000 rpm.

I did some agressive riding on a 400 mile trip this weekend and noticed the noise above those rpms when leaning hard into a curve.  It happens more so on roads that curve to the left.

The scoot goes in for it's 4k service wednesday.  I'll have the dealer pull the variator off again and inspect the weights and variator in general.  Part of that service involves inspecting the clutch as well.

The dealer said at the rate I'm putting miles on the scoot, I'll need the 8k service very soon.  Since he will have to adjust the valves, he pretty much has to strip the bike down to the frame.  He told me he'ld ride it for a few miles without all those body panels on.  If he doesn't hear the noise then it's possible what I'm hearing is related to the bodywork.

Ride safe...


Don in KC

[sissy mary]

If it happens when you lean in a curve it may be the brake rotor just barley touching the pad. Nothing to worry about. Ride the beast.