Sounds like sand

Monkeyman · 10-08-2011, 06:10 AM

Took the Nomad for it's first real trip yesterday (over 50 miles) and most of the way (at highway speeds) it sounded like the tires were kicking up fine sand (hitting the underside of the fenders). There wasn't any sand on the roads so that wasn't the problem. It didn't sound like marbles. I had just filled up with mid grade gas, if that matters.

Any suggestions? Could it just be something a tiny bit loose? Pre ignition? Or do I need to tear down the engine, replace the turn signal fluid and change the air in the headlight?

**ringadingh** · 10-08-2011, 07:57 AM

It may br pinging that you heard. Did it make the sound constantly, or only under accelleration and load? You could try a tank of premium fuel and see if that helps.

bobhamlin · 10-08-2011, 09:53 AM

Every bike has its own set of peculiar noises that you will learn.

I would look for a pattern. High speed, low speed? High/low rpm? Acceleration/deceleration. Clutch in/out?

I'm trying to imagine your sound. Air turbulance--which would increase with higher speed? Tire noise would also decrease at slower speed?

If you are wearing a full-face helmet, try a half-helmet for more acute directional capability. (but don't let some of our members know)

Monkeyman · 10-08-2011, 11:00 AM

I didn't notice the sound on acceleration/deceleration. Only at constant speeds (probably between 50-70 indicated). Clutch out, whatever rpms are at those indicated speeds. I wear a shorty helmet so I can probably hear as well as without a helmet. I'll try a tank of premium next to see if that matters although I'm not sure how many more tanks I'll get out of the bike this year. Perhaps it's just a "normal" sound from my bike. I'd just rather do preventative maintenance than something on the side of the road. At night. In the rain. On my way to work. :)

**Top Cat** · 10-08-2011, 11:07 AM

Get rid of the damn shorty helmet and get a real full-face helmet that will serve two purposes.
It will give you some protection and it will cut down on the road noise you are hearing.

Monkeyman · 10-08-2011, 11:24 AM

TC -- It's a damn nice shorty helmet. It's a Scorpion EXO-100. A bit deeper than the normal skid lid and it has a built in visor, sun shield and zip out neck/ear cover. I wear glasses and I don't want to have to lift the lid, snap on my sunglasses, etc when I'm in the middle of riding. With this, the sun shield just retracts back into the helmet. Both the sunshield and visor are removable/replacable. It's sort of the best of both worlds.

EDIT: Yea, me! 100th post!

**Top Cat** · 10-08-2011, 11:36 AM

I wear glasses and have a Gmax flip up helmet with the sunshield that drops down. I don't have to take off the glasses tom put it on as the front lifts and the sun shield is an awesome feature.
Fullface helmet protection with none of the drawbacks.

bobhamlin · 10-08-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

I didn't notice the sound on acceleration/deceleration. Only at constant speeds (probably between 50-70 indicated). Clutch out, whatever rpms are at those indicated speeds. I wear a shorty helmet so I can probably hear as well as without a helmet. I'll try a tank of premium next to see if that matters although I'm not sure how many more tanks I'll get out of the bike this year. Perhaps it's just a "normal" sound from my bike. I'd just rather do preventative maintenance than something on the side of the road. At night. In the rain. On my way to work. :)

Again, trying very hard to imagine the "sand" sound, I would start suspecting air flow noise or a vibration from some cosmetic edge.

I remember when I first got my Nomad on the road (moved up from a carb'd Vulcan Classic), it took me a while to settle in to the new noises.

What was your previous bike?

cactusjack · 10-08-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Get rid of the damn shorty helmet and get a real full-face helmet that will serve two purposes.
It will give you some protection and it will cut down on the road noise you are hearing.

Sheez, here we go again...

blowndodge · 10-08-2011, 01:42 PM

sounds like sand.......... tastes like chicken!!

Monkeyman · 10-08-2011, 02:01 PM

TC -- I was thinking more about hot days. The hotter I am (with a helmet on) the less apt I am to wear the damn thing. If I can stay cool (temperature wise...I'm cool the other way naturally), I'll wear the helmet.

bobhamlin -- If it's airflow, it'll change drastically by spring as I plan an open intake and V&H/Cobras this winter. My first inclination was some sort of vibration/accessory/etc.

bRowndodge -- Same thing they said in that Chinese restaurant about the Cat Fu Yung.

**Kawhead** · 10-08-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Get rid of the damn shorty helmet and get a real full-face helmet that will serve two purposes.
It will give you some protection and it will cut down on the road noise you are hearing.

And if he lines the inside with aluminum foil it'll cut down on the high frequency radio signals, which is what he may be hearing, that the government emits to control our minds.

landman · 10-08-2011, 02:52 PM

your new pipes will take care of those little road noises.

**Top Cat** · 10-08-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Sheez, here we go again...

Hey, I'm just trying to keep the guys safe who can't or don't know enough to do it for them selves.
You know, like the government does.

Monkeyman · 10-08-2011, 03:19 PM

You should be careful what you say about the gov't. They're listening. Kawhead knows.

10-08-2011, 06:10 AM	#1
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	Sounds like sand Took the Nomad for it's first real trip yesterday (over 50 miles) and most of the way (at highway speeds) it sounded like the tires were kicking up fine sand (hitting the underside of the fenders). There wasn't any sand on the roads so that wasn't the problem. It didn't sound like marbles. I had just filled up with mid grade gas, if that matters. Any suggestions? Could it just be something a tiny bit loose? Pre ignition? Or do I need to tear down the engine, replace the turn signal fluid and change the air in the headlight? __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-08-2011, 09:53 AM	#3
bobhamlin Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Thurmont MD Posts: 760	Every bike has its own set of peculiar noises that you will learn. I would look for a pattern. High speed, low speed? High/low rpm? Acceleration/deceleration. Clutch in/out? I'm trying to imagine your sound. Air turbulance--which would increase with higher speed? Tire noise would also decrease at slower speed? If you are wearing a full-face helmet, try a half-helmet for more acute directional capability. (but don't let some of our members know) __________________ Bob Hamlin RC PGR '06 VN1600D6F
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10-08-2011, 11:00 AM	#4
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	I didn't notice the sound on acceleration/deceleration. Only at constant speeds (probably between 50-70 indicated). Clutch out, whatever rpms are at those indicated speeds. I wear a shorty helmet so I can probably hear as well as without a helmet. I'll try a tank of premium next to see if that matters although I'm not sure how many more tanks I'll get out of the bike this year. Perhaps it's just a "normal" sound from my bike. I'd just rather do preventative maintenance than something on the side of the road. At night. In the rain. On my way to work. :) __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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10-08-2011, 11:07 AM	#5
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Get rid of the damn shorty helmet and get a real full-face helmet that will serve two purposes. It will give you some protection and it will cut down on the road noise you are hearing. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-08-2011, 11:24 AM	#6
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	TC -- It's a damn nice shorty helmet. It's a Scorpion EXO-100. A bit deeper than the normal skid lid and it has a built in visor, sun shield and zip out neck/ear cover. I wear glasses and I don't want to have to lift the lid, snap on my sunglasses, etc when I'm in the middle of riding. With this, the sun shield just retracts back into the helmet. Both the sunshield and visor are removable/replacable. It's sort of the best of both worlds. EDIT: Yea, me! 100th post! __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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10-08-2011, 07:57 AM	#2
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	It may br pinging that you heard. Did it make the sound constantly, or only under accelleration and load? You could try a tank of premium fuel and see if that helps.
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10-08-2011, 11:36 AM	#7
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	I wear glasses and have a Gmax flip up helmet with the sunshield that drops down. I don't have to take off the glasses tom put it on as the front lifts and the sun shield is an awesome feature. Fullface helmet protection with none of the drawbacks. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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10-08-2011, 01:42 PM	#10
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	sounds like sand.......... tastes like chicken!! __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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10-08-2011, 02:01 PM	#11
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	TC -- I was thinking more about hot days. The hotter I am (with a helmet on) the less apt I am to wear the damn thing. If I can stay cool (temperature wise...I'm cool the other way naturally), I'll wear the helmet. bobhamlin -- If it's airflow, it'll change drastically by spring as I plan an open intake and V&H/Cobras this winter. My first inclination was some sort of vibration/accessory/etc. bRowndodge -- Same thing they said in that Chinese restaurant about the Cat Fu Yung. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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10-08-2011, 02:52 PM	#13
landman Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: wheatland,wy. Posts: 3,642	your new pipes will take care of those little road noises. __________________ bob wittman VBA # 745 COG #11621 wheatland,wy. rallies-custer 09,kalispell 10,crescent city 11,kanab 12,estes park 13,orifino 14.,red lodge 16 2015 ninja 1000 abs 2014 concourse 14 2012 concourse 14-sold 2011 vaquero-sold 2008 nomad-sold 2005 classic-sold
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10-08-2011, 03:19 PM	#15
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	You should be careful what you say about the gov't. They're listening. Kawhead knows. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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