ST1300 test ride with a whining or droning road noise.

mczx

Joined
Aug 8, 2012
Messages
2
Location
Chicago Area
I apologize if this issue is already on the forums, I just joined.

I was test driving a 2007 BMW 1200RT and had a chance to try a 2003 ST1300 right after.

The RT was the worst motorcycle I ever rode. (more on that in another post).

The ST appeared like new with only 5000 miles. It ran, handled and stopped great. What I did start to notice though was over 40mph, I could hear a low pitched whine or howl. My guess was tires (which looked ok) or drivetrain. Once rolling above 40mph, I pulled in the clucth and the sound stayed steady.

Does anyone out there understand this or have any knowledge with this? It did not seem normal and it was a new bike in on trade and the dealer knew nothing about it.

I will post my overall impressions of the bike in another thread.
 
Re: New here: ST1300 test ride with a whining or droning road noise.

Your ok! That's Honda's "straight-cut" gears. A unique sound from ST's. Many will affirm this. Not a thing wrong, just takes getting use to. The gear box is solid as a rock.
 
Re: New here: ST1300 test ride with a whining or droning road noise.

st1300doug said:
Your ok! That's Honda's "straight-cut" gears. A unique sound from ST's. Many will affirm this. Not a thing wrong, just takes getting use to. The gear box is solid as a rock.
Click to expand...
Good to know I was not hearing things. It is for sure something to think about. It could like living near a train...after 2 weeks you never notice them going by?
 
Re: New here: ST1300 test ride with a whining or droning road noise.

I would lay odds on the tire's making the noise. If you turned or leaned the bike did the sound change? If you let it coast down from the 40 with the clutch pulled in did it stay constant?

I know a few times I thought I heard a strange grumbling/growling sound on my bike.. but then realized I had cracked my visor and it was just the wind... but in hard corners I can feel and hear the tire sides making a rumble.

By the time you are up to 40mph I don't think you can hear the gear whine. But maybe some can.
 
Re: New here: ST1300 test ride with a whining or droning road noise.

BTW- We "RIDE" a bike...not drive! :)
 
Re: New here: ST1300 test ride with a whining or droning road noise.

I'll bet it was the tires. When I was newbe ST rider I heard the same thing. If it bothers you and you get the chance to ride it again, lean it from side to side and if the sound changes, it's the tires.
 
If you were hearing a howling noise while in high speed cornering, your front tire is probably cupped.

After 5000 miles, a lot of tires do this...
 
A tire with a tread pattern that is a constant pitch will excite the front fender to resonate at its natural frequency at a certain speed.

A tire that has a tread pattern with a random variation in the tread pattern will not do this.

If the tire on the front is a Dunlop 220, and the howling occurs at about 50mph, I win.
 
Seems about after 2k (miles) in the turns, I hear the front tire whine. Checked the bearings, all good. I guess it's the 18" rim and tire wear. Does it every time. Annoying!!!
 
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