I recently purchased a 2011 Road King Classic w/ the 103 CI engine. It has 77 miles on it and I have noticed the engine makes a lot of noise once it is hot. It ticks very loudly. Is this normal?

 

that's normal --

 

I don't think "very loud" is normal. They have a sewing machine sound but I notice my bike gets quieter once its fully warm. Do you know what kind of oil is in it. The reason I ask is that I know they put Syn 3 in the 110ci engines when they are brand new, and that just doesn't sit well with me. You should always use dino oil to break a motor in.

 

I have the same motor in my bike. I have a ticking when it first starts which I suspect is the lifters until they pump up which only takes a few seconds. My motor is a little noisier but not a lot. I'm running Redline Syn.

Or course, your bike is on warranty so you can always take it to the dealer. I'll warn you now . . . they will tell you that it's normal.

On the other hand, it is isn't normal, it's no money out of your pocket to fix it.

Let us know what you do.

 

It's purring with contentment, like a cat full of cream!

 

It's hard to describe how loud it is, but I notice it over everything else. It is not noticeable when the bike is cold. I figure the oil is thicker and thins out when it is hot. I think I will take it back to the dealer so they can tell me nothing is wrong. Thanks for the input. Just wondered if every body else hears the same thing.

 

Oh, also I have no idea what kind of oil is in it.

 

Check if the noise is coming from your tranny. I have the same bike. If the noise is from the tranny while in neutral with the clutch engaged, It's called neutral rollover, and if it goes away when the clutch is out, it is normal. Once hot, while driving, the only other noise I get is the sewing machine.

Do a search on "2011 Tranny Noise" I posted a video of what mine sounds like.

 

My Road Glide ticks a lot too. Ive been told its the injectors, makes sense to me.

 

thats what i think it is the injectors cuz mine does the samething 2011 fltrx