2009 Transmission whine?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Beary
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
Not the '08/'09 6 speed transmission whine!!
It actually started with the '06 Dyna 6 speed transmissions but didn't become a "holly sh*t what's that noise" issue until the 6 speed "cruise drive" was added to the FLHT, more specifically the Electraglide line (standard, classic, ultra). If you'd like to fill a rediculous amount of time search this forum and you will find a 2,600+ post thread regarding this subject that contains about 50% fact and alot of creative writing. Or, to save time here's the summary:
1. 1st gear and fifth gear whine because they are straight cut (vs helical cut) gears.
2. The whine is "normal." Not necessarily desirable, but normal.
3. If Harley goes out of business it will be for a myriad of reasons but not because they introduced the cruise drive as previously suggested.
4. Change transmission fluid to a heavy weight gear oil (Redline Shockproof Heavy, Amsoil 85w140, Belray Big Twin Transmission Oil-85w140) and the noise will be significantly reduced. If for some reason the dealer won't do it, do it yourself.
5. You can also install louder mufflers, turn up the radio or spend $2,000+ for a Baker F6F kit to replace the noisy gear. The bike won't run any better, you'll be out $2,000+ but it will be quieter.
This is not opinion, it's fact. I know because I own an '07 Ultra and I've "lived" this experience.
Stop worrying about the noise and wondering when the tranny will explode. Enjoy your new bike. It may very well be, from everything I've read and heard, the best touring bike HD has ever produced.
Ride safely.
It actually started with the '06 Dyna 6 speed transmissions but didn't become a "holly sh*t what's that noise" issue until the 6 speed "cruise drive" was added to the FLHT, more specifically the Electraglide line (standard, classic, ultra). If you'd like to fill a rediculous amount of time search this forum and you will find a 2,600+ post thread regarding this subject that contains about 50% fact and alot of creative writing. Or, to save time here's the summary:
1. 1st gear and fifth gear whine because they are straight cut (vs helical cut) gears.
2. The whine is "normal." Not necessarily desirable, but normal.
3. If Harley goes out of business it will be for a myriad of reasons but not because they introduced the cruise drive as previously suggested.
4. Change transmission fluid to a heavy weight gear oil (Redline Shockproof Heavy, Amsoil 85w140, Belray Big Twin Transmission Oil-85w140) and the noise will be significantly reduced. If for some reason the dealer won't do it, do it yourself.
5. You can also install louder mufflers, turn up the radio or spend $2,000+ for a Baker F6F kit to replace the noisy gear. The bike won't run any better, you'll be out $2,000+ but it will be quieter.
This is not opinion, it's fact. I know because I own an '07 Ultra and I've "lived" this experience.
Stop worrying about the noise and wondering when the tranny will explode. Enjoy your new bike. It may very well be, from everything I've read and heard, the best touring bike HD has ever produced.
Ride safely.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,474
Likes: 3,000
From: Charleston, SC
Everybody seems to think this is normal. No, in your case it is not.
Whine in 1st and 5th are normal. About a million threads on the issue.
4th gear whine on the other hand should not be happening because its one of the helical cut gears.
You should get it checked out before you go and just hit the "I believe" button. Might be something more going on inside there...
lp
Whine in 1st and 5th are normal. About a million threads on the issue.
4th gear whine on the other hand should not be happening because its one of the helical cut gears.
You should get it checked out before you go and just hit the "I believe" button. Might be something more going on inside there...
lp
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 687
Likes: 2
From: Wisconsin
I am disagreeing just stating I have not been under 2000rpm when shifting gears on my 09, mostly around 2300 rpm.
My engine is not lugging, and in 5 gear it whines. Have not had it in 6th gear yet.
250 miles so far.
My engine is not lugging, and in 5 gear it whines. Have not had it in 6th gear yet.
250 miles so far.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
lp is right. The straight gear whine is in 1st and 5th not 4th. I'm guessing if MyClassic09 listens real carefully he'll hear the whine in 1st and 5th. If not take it to the dealer.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 3
From: Houston
Yesterday and today is really windy ..so making it hard to hear...so I turned up the radio and ignored it all....lol
if its not bad this afternoon I'll listen to it as much as possible..
I was on a easter ride on the weekend so was always going through the gears...40-55mph..when I go home from work Im only doing 30-35 till I get to the freeway then 75mph so Im not staying around 4th and 5th
I'll try to hear 1st also
if its not bad this afternoon I'll listen to it as much as possible..
I was on a easter ride on the weekend so was always going through the gears...40-55mph..when I go home from work Im only doing 30-35 till I get to the freeway then 75mph so Im not staying around 4th and 5th
I'll try to hear 1st also
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 541
Likes: 3
From: Houston
Listened to the bike yesterday...didnt really hear anything in first...
didnt hear it in fourth yesterday...heared it more with the bike used more last time....but as soon as it goes in 5th the sound is 3 times louder than anything else
I would say at least double the whine noise that my 07 street bob had...
didnt hear it in fourth yesterday...heared it more with the bike used more last time....but as soon as it goes in 5th the sound is 3 times louder than anything else
I would say at least double the whine noise that my 07 street bob had...
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
Most of the complaints regarding 1st and 5th gear whine came and still come from FLH owners. The Electralides were the most noticeable despite the fact it's the same transmission that the Dynas have had since '06. The best explanation I've heard is the fairing eiether reduces the wind noise so the whine is more noticeable and/or the fairing actually allows the whine to reverberate and consequently is heard much more easily. Ask your dealer to check it out.
I returned my Ultra to the dealer in November of '06 and told him to call me when it was fixed. Harley Rep rode it and said the whine was normal.
3 years later all of the FLH's still have the 1st and 5th gear whine but it would appear from the almost total abscence of comments on this forum, most have addressed the issue and/or gotten used to it.
Good Luck
I returned my Ultra to the dealer in November of '06 and told him to call me when it was fixed. Harley Rep rode it and said the whine was normal.
3 years later all of the FLH's still have the 1st and 5th gear whine but it would appear from the almost total abscence of comments on this forum, most have addressed the issue and/or gotten used to it.
Good Luck
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls, NY
Hate to say 2300 is on the line for lugging. If you are on a flat road maybe ok and up hill and it is lugging.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I struggle with lugging comments because the lugging that I am familure can certainly be heard. It sounds like someone just dropped a bunch of rocks in the cylinder. Now maybe Harley has a different interpretation of lugging and I am certainly willing to learn, but I don’t think you can just define it at any specific range of RPM.
Barry
Barry