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Cruiser
Posts: 212
Tavares, Fl | I almost have 4,000 miles on the Vision. It appears the engine noise is getting louder. At idle it sounds like a lifter ticking sometimes and other times its gone. In first thru fourth gear there is quiet a bit of engine noise but in fifth gear it purrs like a Gold Wing. In sixth the noise is back. Is this pretty well normal for the Vision?? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 266
Stockton, Ca. | I have experienced the noise as well it seems louder when I am driving the bike harder up hills and agressive. Cruising it is not very noticable. The dealer says it is a normal noise so I just turn up the music and enjoy the ride. A full face helmet also does the trick if you choose to ride with one. I prefer the half helmet and loud music solutiion myself. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 212
Tavares, Fl | I had a Yamaha Venture before and the only reason I got rid of it was the scream between 60 and 70 so I can tollerate the noise from the Vision...I was just curious if this was normal or not...... I tried two different weights of oil with no change.... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | I hear two noises from my Vision. One is a hum at cruising speed sound like the air intake sucking in air. the other is agear noise for split second whend comming off accell to deccell. The connection from engine to trans looks like gear drive, which accounts for gear noise (HD is belt). My hearing is shot by the way so hi. frq. is something thats over my head (and ears). |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| I'm still waiting for my service manual to arrive so I can read about this, but I suspect the smooth and quiet fifth gear could be because the gear ratio in fifth is 1:1 and all things are in harmony inside the transmission. But I agree, it's a shame Victory couldn't make the transmission noise between first and fourth a little quieter - and the accel/decel noise. I love my Vision but I've never had such a noisy tranny on a bike.
I wonder if the primary drive backlash is adjustable? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 235
Evergreen, CO | Transmission noise sucks on a Vision! If you hear purring in 5th, and noise in other gears, it's the trans! Drove me mildly nuts on my long trip this summer. After getting back home from the trip, took the old HD out to charge the battery, and was amazed at how much smoother and (trans) quieter the HD was at lower rpms. I love my Vision to death, but feel that it's one main weak point is trans noise. Sometimes I feel like I'm riding a John Deere tractor from all the noise coming from the trans. What is it about motorcycle mfrs that can't put out a good 6 speed trans without them sounding like they are ready to come apart? My old HD is a 5 speed....rented a 6 speed a year or two ago, and it sounded even worse than the Vision. C'mon, PLEASE build a nice quiet 6 speed!!!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 367
Cottage Grove, Mn | On both my 92tc and my Jackpot the engine noise did not seem as loud as my Vision, I think one of the reasons might be because the engine on the Vision is so enclosed and the noise has nowere to go but right at the rider. On all three bikes i notice valve train noise from time to time, this might be something your hearing. I have been told the transmission noise is because the transmission is not a seperate unit. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 212
Tavares, Fl | I think some of the noise may be coming up thru the fork tunnel also. When I get to Florida this winter I'm going to line it with a rubber mat and see if that helps....At least it doesn't scream at highway speeds like the Venture. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 226
on the edge of Los Angeles | I tend to agree that this trans has more running noise in all gears except 5th. Looking at the manual 5th is the only gear that runs straight thru the cluster, no reduction 6th however is a true overdrive... The noise is most noticable in 4th and I do believe its from the torque compensator. I have grown used to it although I wish it was not there. The valve train noise is most likely from the hydraulic lifter portion of the rocker arms. If they were adjustable I would probably try to adjust but they are not adjustable so no wrench needed. As I get more miles on the bike I tend to think it's getting quieter, I am probably also getting used to it too. I have tried different oil other than the factory 20-40 to try and minimize the cold start chatter but the lifters still bleed down. Currently on M1 20-50 and next wil try Ams 20 50 next. Note: Hot weather ,stop and go traffic, two up.. Shifting seems to get better with time.
The only real engine maintenance I see that can be done is change the oil & filter as outlined and in time I hope it becomes a "well oiled machine"
Helmets really can make a difference on what you hear. I have a full face that I started with and it seems to capture the most noise from bellow. Now I use a 3/4 and it captures less noise. When I run up and down the street without a helmet its almost quiet... Keep in mind that this bike puts us in a envelope of negative pressure. I have struck many a bug with helmet that has landed on the guage console. This too allows us to hear everything better including the radio...
Enjoy 9,500 miles and counting |
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Cruiser
Posts: 235
Evergreen, CO | Unless I'm riding in a state or province that REQUIRES a helmet, I abstain. My helmetless ears hear far too much trans noise. I guess one could wear earplugs to stifle the clatter, but in reality, the clatter should not be there in the first place! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 117
South of Houston Tx | rlreed - 2008-09-23 8:31 PM
I think some of the noise may be coming up thru the fork tunnel also. When I get to Florida this winter I'm going to line it with a rubber mat and see if that helps....At least it doesn't scream at highway speeds like the Venture.
While I was mounting my GPS I had to make a run to radio shack for some things and took the Vision without the center console, I KNOW alot of the noise is coming up through the fork tunnel because it was twice as bad without the center console blocking some of it. |
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Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | I must be a really screwed up novice, because I don't notice any noise.
Could be because growing up around large farm machinery and trucks taught you that anything with power and size made noise. Lets see, a powerful bike with deep low end power turning big steel gears pushing a 850 pound bike loaded with over 400 pounds of riders and junk in the storage boxes.
Nahhhh, it should sound like one of those pink scooters that the kids ride to school.
I am sending mine back and getting a quiet pink bike.
Note: to girls who have a pink bike.
I think a woman looks mighty fine on a pink bike with a biker jacket.
Hope nobody gives me the finger.
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | What?! Can you repeat that? Toys? What toys? Joys! Yes, what joy it is to ride the Vision! I never knew that the transmission was noisey until I read it here right after I got my Vision. What I've read is that we could have quiet on or a strong and dependable one but not both. I'm sure would like to have one that is affordable, but I figure if folks keep complaining the engineers will figure it out. Until then remember "loud bikes save lives!" |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| I don't think we're talking here about a nice throaty exhaust note or inlet rumble. The internal mechanical noises on my bike come from metal parts not working together smoothly and efficiently. They could be banging or rubbing together or they may have poor manufacturing tolerances or be fitted with poor quality bearings. Sadly, us Vision owners don't have the luxury of a transmission that has been developed and refined over many years with the benefit of all the development facilities that a production rate of a thousand bikes a day brings. Mechanical noise means mechanical wear and wasted power. It would be nice to think that the price we paid for our Visions buys us top-shelf engineering quality but for a low volume vehicle, the pro-rata costs are high and noisy transmission is one price we're happy to pay for the privelige of owning a Vision.
Just my five pence worth. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Although too noisy for some folks the Victory transmission is very well engineered for reliability and strength. I have been told it was designed to with stand 150 hp. In conversation, I've been told some of the noise comes from straight cut gearing which gives a lot of strength, but does produce gear noise. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Hampton Va | I have the exact same noise comes and goes with oil changes and teps. I am told it is the chain tentioner and not to worry. It starts at about 2600 to 3000 RPM and more at stedy speeds.....nothing in 5th |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | That leads me to the next question, if noise means poor design and inefficiency and Victory has made noisy transmissions from the beginning, or so I hear, what is the failure rate for them? I’m with IRR, I grew up around heavy machinery that lasts for ages and they were the noisiest things on this earth. You could hear the grinding and meshing, but one thing for sure was you had to keep them lubed. |
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Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | One of the reason's I stopped at a Victory Dealer was because of Victory's reliability and strength. Everyone that I talked to that rode Victory bikes spoke of how strong the bike was and major breakdowns were almost unheard off.
Frankly, I haven't seen anywhere, where Victory had any kind of mechanical problems as a norm. Unlike that other American made bike that you must carry a large tool box with, you just don't see Victory bikes on the side of the road.
I do have to admit I got pee'd off back in May when the standard first year problems most have had, all hit me at one time, and my dealer dragged their feet getting my bike back to me.
Since then my dealer seemed to have changed their attitude, and adding a coupe more techs didn't hurt either.
It seems they were selling bikes faster then they could service them, and the pressure caused then to fight back instead of addressing the issue. As I said their attitude changed and they have been getting praised a lot lately.
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Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | VARYDER,
Enlighten me, what is IRR?
I come from a background with the Railways and am used to large maintenance equipment for the Railroads.
If the gearbox noise and cam chain noise of a Victory is enough to aggravate or annoy someone, i guess they need to fine something else to ride. This is still one of the best rides around and the sound from the tranny and engine sound great to me. I like it alot better then the Whine of the Yamaha Ventures and Goldwings. Guess the frequency on those vehicles is the one that i am sensitve to. But we all ride what makes us happy and that's why we are all here to begin with. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Indiania Road Runner = IRR He made a post about being around big loud machines. I worked construction with Dad before he became a over the road driver for 20something years. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
Altoona, Wisconsin | Indiana RoadRunner - 2008-09-24 8:01 AM
I must be a really screwed up novice, because I don't notice any noise.
Could be because growing up around large farm machinery and trucks taught you that anything with power and size made noise. Lets see, a powerful bike with deep low end power turning big steel gears pushing a 850 pound bike loaded with over 400 pounds of riders and junk in the storage boxes.
Nahhhh, it should sound like one of those pink scooters that the kids ride to school.
I am sending mine back and getting a quiet pink bike.
Note: to girls who have a pink bike.
I think a woman looks mighty fine on a pink bike with a biker jacket.
Hope nobody gives me the finger.
Here ya go!
(Pink Motorcycle Rider.jpg)
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 Pink Motorcycle Rider.jpg (17KB - 2 downloads)
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | My hearing has been shot for the last 30 years. I like and am used to the trans noises. Sounds just like all of my HD's. Indestructable design though. The noise is a constant reminder that I don't have to worry about it. |
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Tourer
Posts: 332
Dale, Indiana | Pink bike, pink girl, and a teddy bear.
To funny!
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Tourer
Posts: 353
| All Vics are noisy, my '08 Vision has more noise than my '05 8-Ball but since adding pipes the engine noise is not as noticeable. Not something that bothers me enough to worry about. |
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Tourer
Posts: 319
| There is alittle noise in 4th gear........all else is quite....#5202 |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 20
| I found this post after posting my question about transmission noise. Sounds like mine is normal which was my main question. If this is the only negative I have I would say I did okay with the bike. My Kingpin might be as noisy with a windshield and quiet pipes. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 36
Tonopah,NV | Bitch, bitch. bitch. You can't make some people happy. If you were so happy on your Harley, get another one. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | rlreed - 2008-09-22 9:08 PM I almost have 4,000 miles on the Vision. It appears the engine noise is getting louder. At idle it sounds like a lifter ticking sometimes and other times its gone. In first thru fourth gear there is quiet a bit of engine noise but in fifth gear it purrs like a Gold Wing. In sixth the noise is back. Is this pretty well normal for the Vision?? I reread your original post, the very first question that should have been asked is "Did you change you oil at the recommended 2,500 mile mark?" Mine seems to get louder the older the oil gets and it usually begins around the 2,5k mark and only gets louder. It quiets down after the oil change. I tried that full synthetic stuff, but since the oil needs to be change ever 2,5k or so why pay more for little benefit, if any. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | I have some top end ticking that developed around the 6k mile mark. Its only noticable at idle and low speeds. I don't think its a big deal. The tranny has always been louder than I'm used to and it shifts hard. I think its probably a clutch adjustment that I can take care of myself. I love the way the engine and exhaust sound when the bike loads up in 5th and 6th gear. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| rlreed, your bike is completely normal. Mine does exactly what yours does and I have quite a few more miles. Lots of factors contributing to the noise but suffice to say I'm not concerned about the noises. Oh and a helmet makes them all disappear, lol....... T |
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Tourer
Posts: 319
| I run Amsoil 10-40............double intervals....(change oil at 5000 miles)I haven noticed any obtrusive noise...and she shifts like butter...to me thats the best part of the break-in at this point...engine is also a tad smoother....always ample torque at the twist of a wrist(gotta love that) |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
Fargo, ND | I had an '05 Hammer as my first Victory. The valve train noise on that was always audible over my Stage 1 swept pipes, which I complained to the dealer about. He assured me it was completely normal, and listening to it alongside an '06 Vegas and Kingpin, I admit it really wasn't any louder. They all had noticeable topend noise. They also had a noise in the tranny in neutral that mine didn't have. When I got my Vision, what amazed me was how much quiter the engine was. I have the stock pipes on mine still, and I don't hear hardly any of the noises I always heard on my Hammer. |
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