I have this faint ticking noise coming from the engine area. It is more prominent in the engine area. Weird part is that the frequency of the tick increases with engine speed. I am not sure if I got something loose (like a bolt or something) that is vibrating or if I got something else going on. Going to take the fairing apart to look, but wanted to see what you guys think.
I've heard a slight ticking since I've owned mine.... and all the other inline 4's I've owned. A little bit of ticking is normal.
Steve, well, the problem is that if I heard it from day 1, I probably won't be concerned. But since it appears to have come on like 2 or 3 days back, concerns me a bit.
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To B.D.F, yes, it only happens when engine is running and frequency increases with rpm. Of course, at higher rpm, the natural engine noise drowns the ticking noise. You can hear it more prominently at idle or at low RPM (< 2000). So, the noise level does not increase with rpm - just how fast it ticks is all.
One more thing, if a Kawasaki ain't tickin' and rattlin', take it to the warranty man as something is bad wrong
For example, mine was parked here in Tampa and was making noise without a rider.
2008 Bike....
have you gotten enough miles on it to do a valve adjust?
if it has been done, who did it?
maybe something got loosened/ installed incorrectly?
if it wasn't done, when do you plan to do it?
About 4000 miles. I did not think that was enough miles needing a valve adjustment. I called up the dealer to have them hear it. When I talked to the service guy, he also thought it might be the valves. Probably should state this - it is faint enough where I cannot hear it with my helmet on.....Properly adjusted valves should make a faint ticking noise, at least on initial startup when the engine is not yet warmed up. It is the noise of the valve clearances getting taken up as the valves open and close. It is normal. If there was no noise you would have something to worry about.
lather what you said make sense. But still boggles me that I started hearing it only like from a week away. I may just have the dealer hear it and make an assessment. If they say it just needs a regular valve adjustment, I will tell them to wait a bit - I am pretty sure I will have to fork the money out for that.