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Since I am new to the FJR I figured it might be best to inquire about this here. Anyway today I noticed a slight but distinct higher frequency whine or whistling noise coming from just under the triple tree. It is obviously coming from the engine or a component attached to the engine anyway but it is most notable when you put your ear down near the forks by the top triple clamp. It is less noticeable on either side. I didn't notice this noise until today so I think it is new or my hearing has improved today..... only happens when she is running and immediately stops when turned off. I am wondering if I have a vacuum leak or something near the air box causing it. That seams to be my best guess as to where it is coming from. Anyone have something similar occur, any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

What gen FJ are you on?

The only whistling I remember hearing about is on gen 2 (6-12). it comes from the windshield at the bottom of the "W" most folks put a piece of tape on the gap between the "w" and the shield to fix it. But, that does not sound like what you are describing

It is a gen2 2008 and the whistling happens when not moving, sounds like it is up on top of the motor. It might just be my hearing is overly sensitive as well, who knows. I just wanted to ask if anyone has had a similar experience. There are no issues as far as how it seems to be running anyway.


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Well I have an 09 and I may or may not have this problem. I wear foam earplugs always to save what hearing I have.

If you have a friend with an FJR put the two side by side and see if there is a difference. If you don't have a friend make a new on here on the forum who lives near you.

If you have a local shop you take your bike too take it here the next time you need service or take it in sooner than the next service. This will not cost too much to have a trained mechanic figure out.

Let us know what you find. Welcome the FJR forum. It is a great bike.

Not that it's diagnostic, but does the whistle change with engine speed? Louder? Change in pitch?

Just curious.

bgross wrote:Not that it's diagnostic, but does the whistle change with engine speed? Louder? Change in pitch?

Just curious.

It really doesn't change with the engine speed. I noticed it as soon as the engine fires up. At speed it is not as noticeable because of wind noise but slow speed stuff in parking lots and such it is noticeable to me anyway. When I go the bike I did not notice it at all but that might have just been because I was not in tune with the mechanical symphony yet. Now that I have ridden it a few times I am starting to tune it a bit more. It might just be that I have not developed my relationship with her yet, getting to know her sounds, thoughts etc.....

I do have one other quick question about the FJR as well. I have noticed that she likes to pull to the left a bit when you let go of the bars. Seems the balance is off a bit. I checked tire pressure which is good. Could it be the front wheel is not weighted correctly or maybe in the front suspension? Not sure and it is not drastic but I can't just let off the bars which I know is not normal. It should have a neutral balance when rolling at enough speed to keep her upright unless the FJR has some quirk I am not aware of. The front end feels a tad heavy overall when compared to other bikes I have ridden and currently ride. Any ideas would be appreciated.

^^
The FJ does have this quirk.

to fix it, dont let go of the bars

Also new tires tend to fix it

Motard-Menace wrote:

bgross wrote:Not that it's diagnostic, but does the whistle change with engine speed? Louder? Change in pitch?

Just curious.

The front end feels a tad heavy overall when compared to other bikes I have ridden and currently ride. Any ideas would be appreciated.

How many miles on your bike? What tires are you using? The heavy front end can be fixed by:

Putting 42 psi in the front tire. Most peeps do this. The FJR is a heavy bike.

Get front tire that is not like a Metzler Z6 which require a lot more counter steer effort than a PR2 for instance.

Update the suspension. The FJR is very undersprung and it becomes more lively when the soft suspension is fixed.

fontanaman wrote:

Motard-Menace wrote:

bgross wrote:Not that it's diagnostic, but does the whistle change with engine speed? Louder? Change in pitch?

Just curious.

The front end feels a tad heavy overall when compared to other bikes I have ridden and currently ride. Any ideas would be appreciated.

How many miles on your bike? What tires are you using? The heavy front end can be fixed by:

Putting 42 psi in the front tire. Most peeps do this. The FJR is a heavy bike.

Get front tire that is not like a Metzler Z6 which require a lot more counter steer effort than a PR2 for instance.

Update the suspension. The FJR is very undersprung and it becomes more lively when the soft suspension is fixed.

The bike has just over 19,000 miles now and the tires appear to be about at 50% tread wear right now. I have the PSI at 42 and the rubber is pilots. As for the bike being heavy, I am aware of that I ride an ST1300 as well and it is even heavier but the front does not seem as heavy and it has no issues with a neutral balance when you let go of the bars. Not that I do this very ofter however with the FJR you can actually feel it pulling a tad to the left at lower speeds. Not intolerable but noticeable. As for suspension, I think I will first see if I can just get her tuned since I have not made any adjustments yet. Thanks for the tips......

My vote is on a loud fuel pump. My 07 had a rather loud one. Bugged me until I just got used to it. However, if it gets louder, probably a good time to have it checked. If you have ever run it out of fuel, its possibly bad. Running dry is really tough on electric fuel pumps.

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nachwaal3ab wrote:^^
The FJ does have this quirk.

to fix it, dont let go of the bars

Also new tires tend to fix it

This has the be the most creative spammer yet.

Come to one of the local meets - SE Ohio Ramble, EOM, CFR, etc. where you can compare to another bike to see if it's normal or not. When I got my first FJR, there was a lot of adjusting to the new "normal". I had a Harley and the FJR for a couple years, switching between the two daily. There was always a bit of adjustment to the sounds of each bike - what was normal and what was not.

good luck.

Wayne

extrememarine wrote:Come to one of the local meets - SE Ohio Ramble, EOM, CFR, etc. where you can compare to another bike to see if it's normal or not. When I got my first FJR, there was a lot of adjusting to the new "normal". I had a Harley and the FJR for a couple years, switching between the two daily. There was always a bit of adjustment to the sounds of each bike - what was normal and what was not.

good luck.

Wayne

Switching tween a Harley and a FJR is impressive. I do not ride well when switching. Did it with a Airhead and a Vstrom, then the Vstrom and the FJR. It is like living with a bi-polar spouse. Don't ask me how I know.

How do ya know ya silly fuk?

My ex was diagnosed as bi-polar after we divorced.