Rattling Noise from 8-9k RPM

250fan · June 21st, 2009, 05:18 PM

Hello Guys and Gals....long time lurker, first time poster. Well, to start, I have a 2009 Ninja 250 (blue if it matters

) with 900 miles on it. Ever since I bought the bike new, there has been a rattling noise from 8-9k RPM. While it doesn't happen every time taking it past 8k or holding it steady at 8k, it happens more often then not. It sounds like it is coming from the engine yet the engine runs strong. It only happens in this RPM range and it doesn't matter what the load is on the engine.

I searched for this issue over here and at kawiforums and it looks like this post here has the same issue http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-250r...e-noise-2.html However, there was really no response on what the noise was or the fix.

So, my question is any ideas on the noise? Is it normal? MY dealer went out of business shortly after i bought the bike and the nearest one is 100 miles away. I have the service manual and mechanical knowledge so I'm not afraid of working on the bike. Can the camshaft chain be checked or tightened? Thanks all

kkim · June 21st, 2009, 05:25 PM

hold the clutch lever... does it still make that noise?

does it make it in neutral as well as in gear?

noche_caliente · June 21st, 2009, 05:25 PM

Hi Greg! Welcome!
My guess, and it is purely a guess is that it's some of the plastics rattling. That 8-9k range is where it hits resonance - if you notice if you hold it there your ears will start ringing too.... I think that there's probably something loose in the upper fairing that just starts to vibrate when the engine hits that frequency.... but again, that's just a guess...

Rawr · June 21st, 2009, 07:55 PM

i have a similar noise on my 2008 (also blue) not sure if it is the same rpm range...but i have noticed that as i throttle up...sometimes there a strange rattling noise...almost like keys jangling...ive tried to listen where it comes from but not sure...i almost think it is coming from the suspesion but again im not sure

wayanlam · June 21st, 2009, 08:00 PM

i feel it on my legs (pressed against the tank) and ass when i hit the resonance frequency. ive noticed this on practically any bike that ive ridden, they all have a certain RPM frequency when all the parts like to dance, and if anything is loose, and able to rattle, it will be audible.

so far my 250r has no rattling, but i wont be overly surprised if it were to start eventually. the wear and tare of the engine vibrations will eventually loosen some parts of the fairing, which is probably the number 1 cause of rattling.

CANTFUNCTION · June 21st, 2009, 08:19 PM

Mine does it at 10K. When I took in to the dealer for the 4000 miles maintain they said it was normal. I had them put down on paper just incase.

250Rocket · June 21st, 2009, 08:22 PM

Mine happens from 5.5-7k. It's the windscreen hitting resonance.

Tubesock · June 21st, 2009, 09:11 PM

I agree with 250rocket, mine did that and i couldnt figure it out until one day something possessed me to grab the windscreen when it started to happen and it stopped.

CodE-E · June 22nd, 2009, 09:49 AM

Mine also starts ringing at around 8-9k RPM. I also think it's just some piece resonating. I thought it might be the keychain, but I'm not sure. I'll try listening carefully if it happens when I'm stationary and revving in neutral...

BlueRaven · June 22nd, 2009, 12:15 PM

i would check all screws to make sure all is tight. If any are loosened that part might rattle and make noise.

Snake · June 22nd, 2009, 12:28 PM

I had that same noise and it turned out the clutch lever was loose. Tightened the clutch lever and the noise whent away.

demp · June 22nd, 2009, 02:20 PM

I have had this happen too, I'm pretty sure its the black plastic under the front fairring for me, I think I stripped the inside of the plastic that the screw sits in, any bright ideas on an easy fix?, aside from loctiting it alltogether?

mista350z · June 22nd, 2009, 11:37 PM

I have that rattling noise too around that range. I tried to look around but did not see any loose screws. Mine seems to be coming from somewhere in the front as well. I am thinking it could be the windscreen as well.

250fan · July 1st, 2009, 08:03 AM

All,

Thanks for the help and ideas. I just finished the 600 mile service and checked the tightness of everything. There was nothing loose, but I did notice that the emissions box on the left side of the motor is supported by a single bracket that is not very rigid. It also near the motor/frame and I believe this is where the noise is comming from as I bent the bracket away from the frame and it hasn't made the noise since. Not everyone may experience this as it's a California model. Also, It seems like how they mounted it was an after thought as well.

Rayme · July 1st, 2009, 08:22 AM

The plastic likes to rattle under the headlights where it meets the 2 side fairings (pointy part). I wedged a little rubber parts in between to dampen it.

JaeL · July 7th, 2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

I had that same noise and it turned out the clutch lever was loose. Tightened the clutch lever and the noise whent away.

+1

backinthesaddleagain · July 8th, 2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250Rocket

Mine happens from 5.5-7k. It's the windscreen hitting resonance.

same here, especially noticable when decelerating

tjkamper · July 8th, 2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demp

I have had this happen too, I'm pretty sure its the black plastic under the front fairring for me, I think I stripped the inside of the plastic that the screw sits in, any bright ideas on an easy fix?, aside from loctiting it alltogether?

Try a larger, selftapping screw.

250fan · August 1st, 2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

I had that same noise and it turned out the clutch lever was loose. Tightened the clutch lever and the noise whent away.

+2....bingo....tested my touching the clutch lever when it was making the noise and it stopped immediately.....Fixed by tightening it down!!! Saaaweeet!

kkim · August 1st, 2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250fan

+2....bingo....tested my touching the clutch lever when it was making the noise and it stopped immediately.....Fixed by tightening it down!!! Saaaweeet!

lol... did you read post #2?

Cedilla · August 1st, 2009, 10:52 PM

Mine does the same thing, I only notice it on short trips when I don't wear ear plugs, I just think of it as one more reason to use hearing protection.

June 21st, 2009, 05:18 PM	#1
250fan ninjette.org member Name: Greg Location: Bakersfield, CA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 250r Posts: 75	Rattling Noise from 8-9k RPM Hello Guys and Gals....long time lurker, first time poster. Well, to start, I have a 2009 Ninja 250 (blue if it matters ) with 900 miles on it. Ever since I bought the bike new, there has been a rattling noise from 8-9k RPM. While it doesn't happen every time taking it past 8k or holding it steady at 8k, it happens more often then not. It sounds like it is coming from the engine yet the engine runs strong. It only happens in this RPM range and it doesn't matter what the load is on the engine. I searched for this issue over here and at kawiforums and it looks like this post here has the same issue http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-250r...e-noise-2.html However, there was really no response on what the noise was or the fix. So, my question is any ideas on the noise? Is it normal? MY dealer went out of business shortly after i bought the bike and the nearest one is 100 miles away. I have the service manual and mechanical knowledge so I'm not afraid of working on the bike. Can the camshaft chain be checked or tightened? Thanks all

June 21st, 2009, 05:25 PM	#3
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	Hi Greg! Welcome! My guess, and it is purely a guess is that it's some of the plastics rattling. That 8-9k range is where it hits resonance - if you notice if you hold it there your ears will start ringing too.... I think that there's probably something loose in the upper fairing that just starts to vibrate when the engine hits that frequency.... but again, that's just a guess... __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

June 21st, 2009, 08:22 PM	#7
250Rocket ninjette.org member Name: Rob Location: Montreal, Canada Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250R Posts: 171	Mine happens from 5.5-7k. It's the windscreen hitting resonance. __________________________________________________ Back on the road again Season 2010 Dam it feels good!

June 21st, 2009, 09:11 PM	#8
Tubesock ninjette.org member Name: David Location: Chatta-vegas Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 69	I agree with 250rocket, mine did that and i couldnt figure it out until one day something possessed me to grab the windscreen when it started to happen and it stopped. __________________________________________________ "When I die I want mud on my jump boots, magazine empty, and barrel hot."

June 22nd, 2009, 12:15 PM	#10
BlueRaven ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Lil One Location: NB Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.	i would check all screws to make sure all is tight. If any are loosened that part might rattle and make noise. __________________________________________________ I'm not small, I'm fun sized

June 21st, 2009, 05:25 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	hold the clutch lever... does it still make that noise? does it make it in neutral as well as in gear?

June 21st, 2009, 07:55 PM	#4
Rawr Blue Blue Blue Name: Matt Location: Mooresville, IN Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 97	i have a similar noise on my 2008 (also blue) not sure if it is the same rpm range...but i have noticed that as i throttle up...sometimes there a strange rattling noise...almost like keys jangling...ive tried to listen where it comes from but not sure...i almost think it is coming from the suspesion but again im not sure

June 21st, 2009, 08:00 PM	#5
wayanlam ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Wayan Location: Bali - Indonesia Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Z250 Posts: A lot.	i feel it on my legs (pressed against the tank) and ass when i hit the resonance frequency. ive noticed this on practically any bike that ive ridden, they all have a certain RPM frequency when all the parts like to dance, and if anything is loose, and able to rattle, it will be audible. so far my 250r has no rattling, but i wont be overly surprised if it were to start eventually. the wear and tare of the engine vibrations will eventually loosen some parts of the fairing, which is probably the number 1 cause of rattling.

June 21st, 2009, 08:19 PM	#6
CANTFUNCTION ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: Georgia Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 ninja 250(red) Posts: 193	Mine does it at 10K. When I took in to the dealer for the 4000 miles maintain they said it was normal. I had them put down on paper just incase.

June 22nd, 2009, 09:49 AM	#9
CodE-E Ninja Newbie Name: Ben Location: Austria Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): EX250K9 Posts: 126	Mine also starts ringing at around 8-9k RPM. I also think it's just some piece resonating. I thought it might be the keychain, but I'm not sure. I'll try listening carefully if it happens when I'm stationary and revving in neutral...

June 22nd, 2009, 12:28 PM	#11
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	I had that same noise and it turned out the clutch lever was loose. Tightened the clutch lever and the noise whent away.

June 22nd, 2009, 02:20 PM	#12
demp ninjette.org sage Name: Matthew Location: Toronto Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 V-Star 950 Tourer (Deep Blue) Posts: 570	I have had this happen too, I'm pretty sure its the black plastic under the front fairring for me, I think I stripped the inside of the plastic that the screw sits in, any bright ideas on an easy fix?, aside from loctiting it alltogether?

June 22nd, 2009, 11:37 PM	#13
mista350z ninjette.org member Name: John Location: The OC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 CBR600rr, 08 Ninja 250r - sold Posts: 81	I have that rattling noise too around that range. I tried to look around but did not see any loose screws. Mine seems to be coming from somewhere in the front as well. I am thinking it could be the windscreen as well.

July 1st, 2009, 08:03 AM	#14
250fan ninjette.org member Name: Greg Location: Bakersfield, CA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 250r Posts: 75	All, Thanks for the help and ideas. I just finished the 600 mile service and checked the tightness of everything. There was nothing loose, but I did notice that the emissions box on the left side of the motor is supported by a single bracket that is not very rigid. It also near the motor/frame and I believe this is where the noise is comming from as I bent the bracket away from the frame and it hasn't made the noise since. Not everyone may experience this as it's a California model. Also, It seems like how they mounted it was an after thought as well.

July 1st, 2009, 08:22 AM	#15
Rayme ninjette.org guru Name: Remy Location: Moncton Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '04 sv650s Posts: 438	The plastic likes to rattle under the headlights where it meets the 2 side fairings (pointy part). I wedged a little rubber parts in between to dampen it. __________________________________________________ There's 2 types of people in this world, those who complain and those who act.

August 1st, 2009, 10:52 PM	#21
Cedilla ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Huntsville, AL Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 755	Mine does the same thing, I only notice it on short trips when I don't wear ear plugs, I just think of it as one more reason to use hearing protection.

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