Engine Noise at Idle

[refugio]

How would you guys describe the noise your Nomad makes while it's idling.
My friend at work made a comment when I rode it to work for the first time.....said it's noisy and thought something was not right about it. He has never owned a Kawasaki just Hondas.
I kinda thought it was normal. My 900 made noise but this Nomad is definetly louder.
Kinda sounds like an old sewing machine.
How does your Nomad sound when idling?

Thanks,
Doug

[blowndodge]

Lots of clicks and clacks at idle like plastic sticks hitting each other. Pretty normal for the Nomad

[refugio]

Pretty sure it's normal.....Just want that reassurance....Thanks

[Top Cat]

It's the nature of the beast ;) Just one of the things that give it character http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[refugio]

I know how to describe it now.......Kinda sounds like an old farm tractor ........
Clacka..Clacka..Clacka..Clacka...Clacka...Clacka.. .
But it runs good.

[papat]

I don't know how to describe it but there is alot of noise. Honda shadow was alot quieter and smoother.

[ringadingh]

Its normal, mine does it too.

[dhelfritz]

My top end is pretty noisy. Sounds like it needs some oil. I think its just normal, Even alter an oil change it is still noisy. I dont think the heat in So. Fl. helps either.

Clicks and clacks.I think that is the perfect description BD. They are noisy for sure.

[redeye]

The first time I rode with my 1/2 helmet, I stopped after a 1/4 mile to see if the bike still had oil in it. What I thought was an engine knock was in fact the cold air solenoids clacking away. After a while you'll get used to the clicking, clacking & whistling. It reminds me of a wash board band. -Rich

[billmac]

My son has a new Vulcan 900 and it seems much quieter than my new Nomad with 1400 miles on it. I thought maybe 20-50w oil might help some next oil change. I am running 10-40w now. Mine clicks and clacks at idle like BlownDodge said. Kind of sounds like it is missing and has even stalled a couple of times. I think the idle speed is a little slow. That probably makes the idle solenoids work overtime.

[VulcanE]

When mine is sitting at idle, the description I use is " It sounds like a bucket of bolts rattling around", but, that's what it's supposed to sound like.

[refugio]

Thanks ..All you guys for the comments....I DO feel better now.

By the way...I did the resistor mod using a 1K ohm and Stepped down to a colder plug. Used DPR8EA-9 which is two steps.
I think I,ve eliminated almost all the pinging...Have to get on it really extra hard to get it to ping..and even then...it's not anything like it was.
Runs good so far.

[dantama]

Refugio, I noticed that on this video of my parking lot practice, at the begging it picks up the sound of my bike at idle pretty good. When I posted it, I didn't know how to edit it, so it has the idle when I'm turning the camera on and getting back on the bike.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LPc4chqqU0

[refugio]

Refugio, I noticed that on this video of my parking lot practice, at the begging it picks up the sound of my bike at idle pretty good. When I posted it, I didn't know how to edit it, so it has the idle when I'm turning the camera on and getting back on the bike.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LPc4chqqU0


Hey....Thankyou....That's exactly the sound I was hearing....Perfectly normal at least for Nomad's and 1600.

I don't know why I didn't think before of listening to videos on YouTube.
Found several others as well.....Same sound......No I can really relax and enjoy my New Nomad