My 08 Ultra is one year old, this month. Ever since I took delivery of it, I kept noticing a "snap" noise, every time I suddenly roll off the throttle, or quickly roll on. I mentioned this to the service guy at the dealership, when they did the 1K mile service. He said "they couldn't duplicate the noise" (even though I told him how to make it happen). The noise is more prominent at higher speeds (if you suddenly cut the throttle, or quickly roll back on, while moving), but I heard it at lower speeds, too. Otherwise, the bike is running perfectly. I was wondering, if this is a common noise, or there is something very wrong with mine. I still have one year of waranty left....

 

I've got just under 10,000 miles on mine and never heard a noise as you've described. So, the answer is no, I don't think it's normal.

 

It is just so hard to figure out a noise from someones discription of whats going on with their bike. My bike has exactly the same engine as yours and I hear no such "snap".

If you ask me though, it sounds more like a chassis issue rather than a engine issue. Now on my 2008 Street Glide with the Brembo brakes, if I am say rolling it out of the garage, and apply the front brake while I am rolling it in reverse, I hear a slight clunk. Then when I take off out of my driveway and head on down the road, when I come to the stop sign at the end of my street, I hear a much louder and sharper clunk. I had realized from day one when it did this that it was the brake pads though. As most here with 08' Touring models can attest the Brembo brakes do make a noise the first time you apply them.

That is just one example of a normal noise. What you are hearing though does not sound at all normal to me. If the tech at the dealer cant duplicate the noise. Then ask that another tech try it. Tell them EXACTLY how to make it happen. If it was me and I was trying to hear this noise, I think I would take out as quiet a bike as I had on hand, and ride right next to you while you make the noise happen. Then I could ID it right away.

Like I said though.....concentrate your search on frame/chassis fasteners. Start out at the forks..front wheel, and keep looking for something thats loose. Check the suspension front and rear. Check under the seat for something loose. Check inside the Bat Wing fairing for something rolling around in there. Just keep checking and checking. The only things that are not frame related that I think you should check is the exhaust system and its mounting brackets. Also be sure to check the three engine mounting points and associated fasteners and hardware. Even check the windscreen mounting bolts.......it has GOT to be something loose.

PS: Please let us know what it was when you find it.

 

Never heard that on mine.

 

Not normal. IDS issue?

 

I have not heard that type of sound that you decribed on mine. If you find out anything please keep us posted. Thanks

 

Can you isolate the 'snap'? Front....rear.....left ...right?
I remember the old story about a guy getting a 'rattle' in his Buick around right hand turns.......come to find out it was a goilf ball in his trunk or some such thing.
Your saddle bags loose? Can of Plexis in the tour pack? Muffler clamps tight?
Could take some detective work.

Chuck

 

The noise is coming from the engine / transmission, that much I am sure of.

 

I think my 08 Ultra is also doing this. It almost sounds like loose change rattling around, but I think it is in the top end of the motor. I have 1.5 years to go on warranty, so I will get it looked at this spring. I do believe it is going to be tough to replicate, because you need to be riding, and I know none of the techs are allowed on the bike w/me. Mine sounds like a ting-ting-ting sound.

 

>>>Mine sounds like a ting-ting-ting sound.<<<
Yours is pre-ignition, commonly called a ping or spark knock.
I would almost bet on it.
I used to describe mine as tiny rocks hitting under the fender or tank.
An adjustment to my PCIII fixed it.

Mark