Road King with 1,400 miles, synthetic at 1,000 m, has a very noisy engine. Noise is engine-related, not transmission. Sound comes on at 65 mph in 6th, continues as speed is increased until wind drowns it. No sound at idle up to about estimated 1,700 rpm (no tach). Wife and I have had 8 HDs and this is the noisiest I have ever heard.

Noise is what I would expect from a failing bearing. A whine or grind rather than a 'tap' as from reciprocating parts like valve train. Temp makes no difference. Bike has been evaluated by dealer twice and called 'normal'. Wife has 08 RK that is blissfully quiet, except for pipes.

Is your 09 quiet or noisy?? Any ideas??

Eric

 

what brand of synthetic are you using harley syn3 is a cheap blend not full syn

nothing against harley just there cheap citgo products-ride safe

 

I have to agree with engine noise issue on my 09 Ultra. Seems to run fine but the noise is MUCH louder than my 08 Ultra, 97 RKC or my neighbors 08 Superglide with the same 96 engine. I recently swapped to Amsoil 20-50 and it did not help at all with the noise issue. But I will say that the Amsoil gear oil did smooth out the tranny and quiet down the 5th gear whine quite a bit.

Over the years I've come to expect a certain amount of normal "noise" from any HD but this 09 noise is NOT normal. I'm off to the dealer tomorrow to have them give it a listen but can pretty much guess what the answer will be.

Like you, I'm very interested to hear if any other 09 owners are having the same issue.

 

If you're getting it under certain loads, throttle positions, and RPM's, it may be detonation (pinging). I had the same problem on my '09 FLHTP and only cured it by going with a PC5 fuel management system. I believe she was running way too lean for the factory set timing. For me, it occurred at about one-third to one-half throttle position at 2500-3000 rpm and went away with more throttle opening (regardless of load). The noise was a definite "rattle" detonation and could be heard with my ear-plugs seated tightly! In my opinion, this indicated a poor factory fuel/timing map. Even though the PC5 does not directly effect timing, the pinging is gone. And overall I have to say the engine is noticebbly noticabaly noticebly (&%$#) ... significantly quieter.

 

just run it really hard maybe it will blow up under warranty

 

+1. ride it real hard. Rev the heck out of it, hit the rev limiter as much as possible. Do your best to destroy it for 200 miles. If it is still running after than then get a good set of ear buds and just ride the thing.

 

My kind of riding, even for an old man. "once you get past the fear, it all thrills"!