New engine new problems
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
Likes: 36,032
From: Carlsbad, CA
I have rented the same '17 Road King several times, and put about 500 miles on it myself. The last rental, it started with 4,500 miles, and I got a slight ping rolling the throttle from about 2,500. No! That's not lugging it.
I ran the fuel down to about 1gallon and put in Shell 91 Octane, and after a few miles the ping went away. I'm guessing the previous cheapskate renter saved $0.60 by putt in in crap gas.
I ran the fuel down to about 1gallon and put in Shell 91 Octane, and after a few miles the ping went away. I'm guessing the previous cheapskate renter saved $0.60 by putt in in crap gas.
Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, FL
The dealer had the bike for 2 days, test drove it several times. They said they could hear it. They checked everything they could, no codes in the ECM. They even drained my fuel and put in their own to no avail. It's not bad spark knock, but it's there. My buddy with the new Road King and I switched bikes the other day. I could hear it on his bike as well, but he couldn't hear it on mine (I have really good hearing). I ran my bike down to empty and put in 3 gallons of Sunoco 260 GT, 100 octane unleaded, "will not harm catalytic converters or oxygen sensors" at $10 a gallon!!! I figure if I still hear the noise that it must not be spark knock. I'll post here when I've thoroughly tested it with that gas.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 589
Likes: 124
From: Ottawa
Proud owner of a M8 and love it, been riding H-D's for over 40 years and have owned many different types of Harleys from Sprints to now M8. It is a great MC and the motor co finally listened to what the riding public had to say! However as with any "new" product issues do happen, I have had it back to the dealer 4 times for oil leak located in the front portion of the bike. Oil port feeding the cooler, clamps , a hose was replaced, this isnt 1966 they aren't suppose to leak this day in time. I ride roughly 12,000 miles a year and so far ( the bike only has 1400 miles on it ) I like it the ride is the best EVER IT HAS GREAT POWER AND HANDLING I live in North Carolina so there are some fantastic places to ride to. I have also heard a "ping" under acceleration back to the dealer, i was told they couldn't hear it, sounds like a spark knock to me but I was told it COULD NOT spark knock due to knock sensors ect associated with the fuel management systems? ?? Who knows I ride it new bike new problems glad it is on record with Harley-davidson just in case it is detonation, has anyone else heard a pinging under acceleration from around 2500 RPM?
Last edited by BrokenAnchor; May 3, 2017 at 06:33 PM.
Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, FL
Spark knock
OK, ran through the 3 gallons of Sunoco 100 octane race gas. It still made the noise. Maybe it's not spark knock. It sounds like 3 ball bearings being shaken in an empty beer bottle. Rolling on the throttle in sixth gear, I don't hear it until around 3,500 RPM. But I definitely heard it with the race gas. One technician at the dealer said he thought it was a rattle, and checked all kinds of stuff for tightness. The fact that I could hear the same noise on my buddies new Road King implies that it's not something specific to my bike. It's on record with The Mo Co and I'm not going to worry about it. The bike handles like a sport bike (almost), has lots of power, stops on a dime (with change left over) and looks like a million dollars. Lets ride
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
Likes: 2,382
From: Camp Lejeune, NC
Nope. Won't hurt the engine one bit.
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 67
Haven't noticed any noises under hard acceleration, but I have noticed an inconsistent sound in the primary area, when idling that sounds like a marble or steel ball jumping around. It's not bad or loud or regular or constant. Barely noticeable if you are not listening. Service writer at dealer says "oh yea, I can hear it" and goes and gets one of the main mechs. He says it's the primary chain tensioner and not to worry about it. Don't hear it above an idle. I have had several Harleys over the years and know that Harleys each have unique noises and understand that. This one is different. Thoughts anyone?
2017 RG Ultra 1200 miles.
2017 RG Ultra 1200 miles.
But maybe (and I freely admit I am speculating here) MMI is teaching a new class entitled Speculating 101.
OK, I am grinning here.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 57
Likes: 10
From: So Cal
I test drove a new Road King at Laughlin last weekend. Now this was a facory bike from the Harley display. The bike had a stage 3 kit on it. I was really impressed with the ride and handling. But I also heard what I thought was
pinging and I was not hard on it nor did I lug it. I thought it odd that
they would be showcasing a bike that was pinging or something.
pinging and I was not hard on it nor did I lug it. I thought it odd that
they would be showcasing a bike that was pinging or something.