Fifth Gear Whine
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Myrtle Beach, SC
Mine sounds like quick repeating chirps, not a long drawn out anything.
Because a "Chirp" is a short quick sound. While a "whine" is a long drawn out high pitched note
Chirp = eep
Whine = eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Chirp = eep
Whine = eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 7
From: St. Charles, IL
Then, that's not it. The gears are constantly meshing, so the whine is constant, not intermittant. You have something else chirping
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 586
Likes: 3
From: OKC
I like having the different sound in 5th gear. It helps as an indicator for what gear I'm in. I don't see it as a whine; it's just a different sound. It is not a problem; the gears work just fine.
I agree, it's nice to hear the difference at times.
I agree, it's nice to hear the difference at times.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
iclick,
"I don't even notice the whine anymore, frankly, or at least rarely and don't consider it a problem. It certainly isn't a "mechanical problem" since it is caused by the spur-cut gears and is a normal side-effect of the stronger gear set for 1st and 5th gears."
Ditto.
I don't really notice it that much nor does it bother me. Now as to the OP's original question: No the whine seems the same on my '09 RK (not worse or better). I'll be turning 12,000 miles today on my way to work. For those who haven't noticed 1st gear has this whine too. I use Amsoil 75W-90 but will be trying 75W-140 at next oil change just out of curiousity.
"I don't even notice the whine anymore, frankly, or at least rarely and don't consider it a problem. It certainly isn't a "mechanical problem" since it is caused by the spur-cut gears and is a normal side-effect of the stronger gear set for 1st and 5th gears."
Ditto.
I don't really notice it that much nor does it bother me. Now as to the OP's original question: No the whine seems the same on my '09 RK (not worse or better). I'll be turning 12,000 miles today on my way to work. For those who haven't noticed 1st gear has this whine too. I use Amsoil 75W-90 but will be trying 75W-140 at next oil change just out of curiousity.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
Ding ding ding - this one is the winnah!
Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 67
Often discussed
This question comes up often with newer riders. In 2007 the MOCO introduced a new six speed transmission. It was designed by engineers who made the first gear and the fifth gear straight cut gears. The theory behind this is that straight cut gears offer more strength although the downside is that they are not as quiet as their hellicul cut cousins. Further, the design engineers theorized that since so much time was going to be spent in first and fifth gears that it just made alot of sense to use straight cut gears. My own theory would be that straight cut gears are not needed and the engineers had it wrong. But, that has been debated far and wide and they haven't changed yet.
So, what can you do to lessen the noise if it bugs you to death? Probably the most effective thing to do would be to run a true gear oil in the transmission instead of dino oils or synthetic motor oils. I run 75/140 weight in mine in the summer and 75/90 in the colder months. After awhile it just becomes a non issue.
So, what can you do to lessen the noise if it bugs you to death? Probably the most effective thing to do would be to run a true gear oil in the transmission instead of dino oils or synthetic motor oils. I run 75/140 weight in mine in the summer and 75/90 in the colder months. After awhile it just becomes a non issue.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
So, what can you do to lessen the noise if it bugs you to death? Probably the most effective thing to do would be to run a true gear oil in the transmission instead of dino oils or synthetic motor oils. I run 75/140 weight in mine in the summer and 75/90 in the colder months. After awhile it just becomes a non issue.
Thanks
Beary