Today I rode the 990 I just bought to work. I stopped for gas on the way. When I restarted the bike, it briefly made a tapping / rattling noise. Is this normal for these bikes as the build oil pressure? If not, any suggestions on where to start looking for an issue? Huge improvement over the KLR on the highway. Looking forward to getting it off-road. Thanks, Josh
Yes - It happens. When the oil gets warmer it gets thinner. It sometimes takes a few seconds for the oil pressure to build back up. I've even had my oil light flicker as this happens. Don't worry about it. I'm at 70K miles and the bike makes all sorts of "bad" sounds but it runs great. Q~
Glad it's not just me that worries about any little noise. I also feel better once the noise is gone. Oh yeah my 990 is way better than my KLR, holy crap the power is amazing!!
Yep, totally normal. I found it actually made MORE clacking on startup after I cleaned the clutch jet about 8000kms ago, but everything is fine. I've learned to deal with engine noise and completely ignore it after having an 08 RFS motor in a 450. They may sound like a bucket of nuts rolling around in a dryer sometimes, but if they pull hard, run smooth and aren't blowing oil then you're good.
Are all you guys running synth oil ? Im running ol Castrol 4T and no rattle (ok 1/2 second when warm) Ran it for 100 000 ks on a Rotax Aprilia and motor was still like new. Me say no rattle thanks.