Why is my new motorcycle clattering?
August 19, 2005 2:37 PM Subscribe
Why is my new cruiser clattering?
I just recently (like a week ago) purchased a brand-new 2005 Yamaha Warrior. It was running fine, and I guess technically IS still running fine. But I just recently filled it up with gas for the first time, and as I was driving home I noticed a clattering sound at certain RPM's. It's persisted still, and I'm afraid something might be at least marginally (or severely) wrong with the bike, I'm just not sure what it might be.
It doesn't sound like it's coming from the engine itself -- It's like a loose metallic sound, and it's coming up through the tank. So this could mean one of two things, I think:
1) Something in the engine is making a clattering sound that I'm hearing echoed through the gas tank.
2) Something is loose in the gas tank that's rattling around.
It isn't idling any different, I'm not having any problem or difference in behavior at all in fact except for the sound. It's consistent at the RPMs it happens at, which seems like a vote for the something loose in the tank idea.
I asked the shop from the dealership I bought it from if they could have a listen; they said sure but they're booked up right now until mid-September so a listen is all they can do.
Any ideas?
I just recently (like a week ago) purchased a brand-new 2005 Yamaha Warrior. It was running fine, and I guess technically IS still running fine. But I just recently filled it up with gas for the first time, and as I was driving home I noticed a clattering sound at certain RPM's. It's persisted still, and I'm afraid something might be at least marginally (or severely) wrong with the bike, I'm just not sure what it might be.
It doesn't sound like it's coming from the engine itself -- It's like a loose metallic sound, and it's coming up through the tank. So this could mean one of two things, I think:
1) Something in the engine is making a clattering sound that I'm hearing echoed through the gas tank.
2) Something is loose in the gas tank that's rattling around.
It isn't idling any different, I'm not having any problem or difference in behavior at all in fact except for the sound. It's consistent at the RPMs it happens at, which seems like a vote for the something loose in the tank idea.
I asked the shop from the dealership I bought it from if they could have a listen; they said sure but they're booked up right now until mid-September so a listen is all they can do.
Any ideas?
You just spent a bunch of money at this dealership and they put you off until September?
Go back to the salesman, tell him you've got a problem and ask him when he's going to have his shop look at it. Not if -- when. Approach it from the sales end instead of the service end. Salesmen want repeat customers. Shop managers don't care. Don't put up with crappy service.
posted by lambchop1 at 2:51 PM on August 19, 2005
Go back to the salesman, tell him you've got a problem and ask him when he's going to have his shop look at it. Not if -- when. Approach it from the sales end instead of the service end. Salesmen want repeat customers. Shop managers don't care. Don't put up with crappy service.
posted by lambchop1 at 2:51 PM on August 19, 2005
I second fixedgear. Try a higher octane gas than what you've put in, if you can.
posted by jperkins at 3:19 PM on August 19, 2005
posted by jperkins at 3:19 PM on August 19, 2005
That is an absolutely unacceptable answer from your dealership. If they don't treat you better, you need to start mentioning the "lemon law." It's brand new! It should run perfectly or they have not held up their end of the bargain.
That said, I really doubt it's valve knocking. It's probably a fastener that has rattled loose. With the bike running, you might try walking around it pushing with your finger on different parts until the noise stops. Look for loose or missing nuts or bolts on that part.
posted by letitrain at 3:33 PM on August 19, 2005
That said, I really doubt it's valve knocking. It's probably a fastener that has rattled loose. With the bike running, you might try walking around it pushing with your finger on different parts until the noise stops. Look for loose or missing nuts or bolts on that part.
posted by letitrain at 3:33 PM on August 19, 2005
Response by poster: I put in premium gas; I pretty much always do on my bikes. It doesn't at all sound like valve knocking, it's a very 'hollow' sound.
The advice about calling the salesman is really good, I should be doing that now anyway. I was just hoping I could maybe try to solve it myself, although this is my first Yamaha.
posted by wolftrouble at 3:35 PM on August 19, 2005
The advice about calling the salesman is really good, I should be doing that now anyway. I was just hoping I could maybe try to solve it myself, although this is my first Yamaha.
posted by wolftrouble at 3:35 PM on August 19, 2005
If you don't get a good response, try posting a link to the dealership's web site (if they have one) here and see if that encourages them to look into it. Maybe just a follow-up comment like, "Well, I took your advice and took the bike back to [dealer link], but [sales person's name] said [x]."
posted by pracowity at 3:48 PM on August 19, 2005
posted by pracowity at 3:48 PM on August 19, 2005
The dealership should take care of it, but you may want to look for something loose and rattling, like an exhaust shield. You should also make sure its not something that will kill you, like a loose front fender (swivels around and locks up the front tire).
posted by 445supermag at 4:47 PM on August 19, 2005
posted by 445supermag at 4:47 PM on August 19, 2005
YES. Go with lambchop1 and/or pracowity! This is a "brand-new" bike. I purchased a "used" vw passat wagon and had problems with lights and other little stuff. So I just rolled in without an appointment and those problems were fixed immediately and without charge.
posted by snsranch at 5:52 PM on August 19, 2005
posted by snsranch at 5:52 PM on August 19, 2005
Bad dealership stories frustrate me. You've got a couple of good ways to get around this, though. First, go see the salesman that sold you the bike like you suggested. Salespeople understand the value of good service. If that doesn't work, ask to speak to the general manager and don't accept no as an answer.
If that doesn't resolve the problem, contact Yamaha USA. There will be a regional sales manager or other representative that's responsible for making sure that Yamaha's dealerships, which are really franchises, are meeting their end of the bargain to provide service on new vehicles purchased from the franchise. There's some pretty stiff penalties in the dealer's contract if corporate investigates and find that the dealership really is sucking ass.
Who knows what's loose? V-twins tend to shake a lot, even the smooth Japanese ones. It's likely that it's just a loose screw somewhere, but finding it is a pain in the ass and who knows what it fell out of.
Whatever you do, don't make a scene in the middle of the shop or sales floor. That's going to get your bike marked for the 'spring-loaded wrench monkey action' when it's back in the shop.
And if there's another Yamaha dealership in the area, they're all supposed to service bikes that are under manufacturer warranty, so you can go to them as well.
posted by SpecialK at 11:07 PM on August 19, 2005
If that doesn't resolve the problem, contact Yamaha USA. There will be a regional sales manager or other representative that's responsible for making sure that Yamaha's dealerships, which are really franchises, are meeting their end of the bargain to provide service on new vehicles purchased from the franchise. There's some pretty stiff penalties in the dealer's contract if corporate investigates and find that the dealership really is sucking ass.
Who knows what's loose? V-twins tend to shake a lot, even the smooth Japanese ones. It's likely that it's just a loose screw somewhere, but finding it is a pain in the ass and who knows what it fell out of.
Whatever you do, don't make a scene in the middle of the shop or sales floor. That's going to get your bike marked for the 'spring-loaded wrench monkey action' when it's back in the shop.
And if there's another Yamaha dealership in the area, they're all supposed to service bikes that are under manufacturer warranty, so you can go to them as well.
posted by SpecialK at 11:07 PM on August 19, 2005
I'd pull the tank and reinstall it. Bikes are shipped in parts and assembled at the dealership. The tank and seats are parts that are sometimes seperate from the bike during shipping. So, if they put it together wrong, like say they forgot a rubber dampener between the frame and the tank, it's possible that the engine's vibrations are just causing a resonant response.
All said and done, the dealer should take care of this with you. If you don't get satisfactory results, then take it to another dealer- I'm sure they'd love to have your business, even if it's warranty work the first time- you're more likely to go back for accessories and stuff otherwise.
Also, since you mentioned this started with new gas, do you remember seeing the fuel truck at the gas station when you filled it? When you see the truck, you should keep going- when the fuel truck delivers gas, it shakes up the contents of the tanks and you get silt and dirt that's in the tank.. in your gas. This shouldn't be a big deal, since you have a fuel filter, but the other big problem is water. It also stirs up water that's collected in the tank and pumps it through. It's even worse with premium gas, because it sells much slower, and has more time to collect condensation. Try adding some more premium gas from a different station and see what happens- you might have just gotten shite gas and that's it.
BTW, how's the ride? I used to ride a V-Star 1100 Classic, and my heart is torn between the Warrior or the Road Star Midnight Star. One of these days I'll just go take some test rides, I suppose.
Good luck!
posted by id at 5:53 PM on August 20, 2005
All said and done, the dealer should take care of this with you. If you don't get satisfactory results, then take it to another dealer- I'm sure they'd love to have your business, even if it's warranty work the first time- you're more likely to go back for accessories and stuff otherwise.
Also, since you mentioned this started with new gas, do you remember seeing the fuel truck at the gas station when you filled it? When you see the truck, you should keep going- when the fuel truck delivers gas, it shakes up the contents of the tanks and you get silt and dirt that's in the tank.. in your gas. This shouldn't be a big deal, since you have a fuel filter, but the other big problem is water. It also stirs up water that's collected in the tank and pumps it through. It's even worse with premium gas, because it sells much slower, and has more time to collect condensation. Try adding some more premium gas from a different station and see what happens- you might have just gotten shite gas and that's it.
BTW, how's the ride? I used to ride a V-Star 1100 Classic, and my heart is torn between the Warrior or the Road Star Midnight Star. One of these days I'll just go take some test rides, I suppose.
Good luck!
posted by id at 5:53 PM on August 20, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by fixedgear at 2:51 PM on August 19, 2005