I've had my brand new Vulcan s now for 17 days and I've put 2,235 miles on it and now it is ticking. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow but I wanted to see if anybody else has had an issue of a ticking noise coming from the top of the engine
Have you had the first service yet? If not take it to the dealer immediately as the run in oil is really thin and only supposed to be in it for 600 miles.
If it has had it's service then I would be taking it back to the dealer anyway as it shouldn't be ticking, at least mine isn't it has 1700 miles on it or there about.
I'm up to date on the service. Went to the dealer today (not the one I bought the bike from) and after arguing with the service department to get a tech to listen to the bike without having to pay an hours labor he came out and told me "all of the kawi 650's have that upper valve train tick" which I call total BS on. Taking it to the dealership I bought the bike from on Monday, they agreed to do a full diagnostic check and take it for a test ride. Currently figuring out how I can post the video I took of the sound and link it here
I have a 1500vn fi. After a bit of work and resurch to figure out just what causes the tic. I called Kawasaki and spoke to a very knowledgeable technician about it. He informed me that a factory defect caused it. Very popular in some years. The fix believe it or not is inexpensive and fairly easy to do. Cam chain tencheners. Motor is not going to blow up. I did mine in a little over an hour and problem solved...
This is from yesterday. It has gotten louder since then. Also seems it ticks more at night so my only guess is it has to do with the cold weather. http://youtu.be/xcK5noINQro
Here is what it sounds like at the moment. What's strange is it gets the loudest when it is warm and has been ridden. When I ride to work tomorrow I'll record a video before I shut it off. This really doesn't do justice to how loud the tick is. http://youtu.be/ObQWZQY686E
That's not normal? I just bought mine (300 miles) & I believe it makes the same noise? It's my first bike so I don't know what's normal and not normal?
Mine makes the same sound, I literally took it today to the dealership and they diagnosed it and checked the valves, but according to them it is normal. I my self only noticed the noise for a while but the power or performance has not changed since I bought it, 12k miles ago.
Ticky, ticky, ticky.... Sounds just like a Kawasaki Vulcan to me. I do think, what you hear in person can't be duplicated in a YouTube video, using the retail stuff used for recording today. Almost useless. If you think it sounds abnormal, about the only way to get the dealer's attention is to do a side-by-side comparison with another identical setup. Otherwise, they'll probably send you packing.
I have had a similar issue. I am just over 3,000 miles. Granted it went through a small wreck and felt it may be something broke.
But it is quieting down a bit. Made sure nothing was loose or leaking and have not noticed any performace issues.
I have not identified the issue personally. But it does sound to be related to the injectors. It is running fine and no real issues other than the slight noise. It has been almost 200 miles since I got it back.
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