Vulcan V-Twin Engine Noises

**Spok** · 09-17-2005

The Kawasaki Vulcan series of V-twin motors are a noisy bunch. Many have come to this forum with questions about the sounds emanating from their motors. If your out riding and you hear tapping, knocking, slapping, pinging or other noises, most likely its the normal sounds your motor should be making.

Along with the above statement, it is YOUR responsibility to determine if you need to take your bike to a mechanic and have it looked at. Not all engine noises are "normal" and could be a smaller sympton to a larger problem.

Happy Motoring.

woodchucks800 · 09-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by spok

The Kawasaki Vulcan series of V-twin motors are a noisy bunch. Many have come to this forum with questions about the sounds emanating from their motors. If your out riding and you hear tapping, knocking, slapping, pinging or other noises, most likely its the normal sounds your motor should be making.

This sounds more like my wife on a bad day than the bike

The sticky ought to be about using the search features available to the new members

you'll also need to start one for the new 900 too.

cudaosix · 09-18-2005

This thread just makes me love my inline 4 even more. Thanks guys

Scruffy · 09-19-2005

First time I fired mine up cold, I thought I'd bought another Harley. Vulcan has to be the loudest liquid cooled engine known to man. So much for the "noise dampening effect" of water jackets. Although, it is rather nice to be able to hear what is going on internally. You'll definitely know when something goes wonky on you.
-Scruffy

Last quiet Kawasaki motor I ran, was a KZ1000 that lost its oil pump...dead silent, then a big clank...Sorry Cuda, couldn't resist.

Night Flight · 09-19-2005

I gotta get my ears checked, my '05 Nomie is quiet. Must be me. I see some guys talking about using chokes and others saying they don't have chokes. My EFI didn't have a choke either until I realized the dealer didn't pull it out from under the gas tank and put it in place on the lower left frame leg. I never use it but if it gets colder, I'm sure it will come in handy.

twoskinsoneman · 09-19-2005

Yeah the '05 is the quietest exauhst I think I've ever heard. Of course it lets your hear perfectly all the metal parts banging together in the cyl heads.

bjones · 09-19-2005

I have found that fuel does make a difference. Premium is better

Night Flight · 09-19-2005

Oh, I see. I have to remove my Cobras and put the stockers back on in order to here the clunks in the motor!!!

*trikebubble* · 09-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodchucks800

This sounds more like my wife on a bad day than the bike

The sticky ought to be about using the search features available to the new members

you'll also need to start one for the new 900 too.

Sounds like the noises coming from my trunk. I knew I forgot to bury that "thing". Gotta go buy some lyme.

twoskinsoneman · 09-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night Flight

Oh, I see. I have to remove my Cobras and put the stockers back on in order to here the clunks in the motor!!!

Nice. Got pics of those Cobras? I'm in the market.

Night Flight · 09-19-2005

I may have to take the Cobras off the bike, having trouble hearing my radio.
Wayne
Night Flight

T-man · 09-19-2005

Hmmm...both my Kaw engines seem pretty quiet... maybe it's my hearing..

Or just my pipes!!

Actually, the V2K motor is a bit quieter than the 1500, probably due to the fact it is a pushrod motor instead of overhead cam (no chain noise).

Xlr8n · 09-20-2005

Get youself some HK's and the engine noise will magically disappear!

Phatboy · 09-21-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scruffy

Vulcan has to be the loudest liquid cooled engine known to man.

Not nearly as loud as a cummins

vulcan 1600 · 09-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatboy

Not nearly as loud as a cummins

You got that right.

The Vol-can · 09-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xlr8n

Get youself some HK's and the engine noise will magically disappear!

Hmm, need my eyes checked. At first I thought it said HD's....LOL

Scruffy · 09-25-2005

Okay, amendment...loudest liquid cooled MOTORCYCLE engine. And, since I can hear it over those lousy Cobra pipes, you know it is mechanically noisy. You'd think it was a diesel.

I'm switching back to Chevron premium fuel. The motor was cooler, quieter, and made better mileage (52.5 on premium, versus 46ish on regular).

Spok, you forgot the horrendous clunk when putting the bike in first after a cold start. Shifts smooth/quiet the rest of the day. It's a unit construction bike, therefore, the shifter is part of the motor...
-Scruffy

bluestringer · 09-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scruffy

Okay, amendment...loudest liquid cooled MOTORCYCLE engine. And, since I can hear it over those lousy Cobra pipes, you know it is mechanically noisy. You'd think it was a diesel.

I'm switching back to Chevron premium fuel. The motor was cooler, quieter, and made better mileage (52.5 on premium, versus 46ish on regular).

Spok, you forgot the horrendous clunk when putting the bike in first after a cold start. Shifts smooth/quiet the rest of the day. It's a unit construction bike, therefore, the shifter is part of the motor...
-Scruffy

Be careful running premium in the 800 Scruffy, it's not good for it. After I switched to Rotella T oil, the shifting clunk went away. You can also hold the clutch lever in for a few seconds and the clunk will not be as bad.

Dandy Don · 09-26-2005

Ride it till it stops, then worry about it. How else can Kawi stay in business !

T-man · 09-30-2005

BTW...my 30,000 mile + 1500 Classic FI is QUIET...and, I have always used KawChem 10w-40 and change at 2500 miles. Could this be a factor????

09-17-2005	#1 (permalink)
Spok RIP Deron - 1400Pilot Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Washington Posts: 34,585	Vulcan V-Twin Engine Noises The Kawasaki Vulcan series of V-twin motors are a noisy bunch. Many have come to this forum with questions about the sounds emanating from their motors. If your out riding and you hear tapping, knocking, slapping, pinging or other noises, most likely its the normal sounds your motor should be making. Along with the above statement, it is YOUR responsibility to determine if you need to take your bike to a mechanic and have it looked at. Not all engine noises are "normal" and could be a smaller sympton to a larger problem. Happy Motoring. __________________ In Memory of Deron Harden - 1400 Pilot. You are missed.

09-18-2005	#3 (permalink)
cudaosix Guitar nerd BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 3,542	This thread just makes me love my inline 4 even more. Thanks guys __________________ Over 40 MegaFonzies and rising 1980 KZ1000

09-19-2005	#4 (permalink)
Scruffy Scooter Trash! BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Buckley Wa USA Posts: 2,365	First time I fired mine up cold, I thought I'd bought another Harley. Vulcan has to be the loudest liquid cooled engine known to man. So much for the "noise dampening effect" of water jackets. Although, it is rather nice to be able to hear what is going on internally. You'll definitely know when something goes wonky on you. -Scruffy Last quiet Kawasaki motor I ran, was a KZ1000 that lost its oil pump...dead silent, then a big clank...Sorry Cuda, couldn't resist. __________________ Eagle Scout. Veteran. Patriot Guard Rider. 1950s style Savage barhopper 1950s style VN800B bagger

09-19-2005	#5 (permalink)
Night Flight TEXAS PATRIOT GUARD BTK Expert Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Texas - Rio Grand Valley Posts: 857	I gotta get my ears checked, my '05 Nomie is quiet. Must be me. I see some guys talking about using chokes and others saying they don't have chokes. My EFI didn't have a choke either until I realized the dealer didn't pull it out from under the gas tank and put it in place on the lower left frame leg. I never use it but if it gets colder, I'm sure it will come in handy. __________________ Blue/Silver 2005 Nomad VROC # 17291 Phat II Risers AM/FM CD MP3 Garmin GPS Midland CB

09-19-2005	#6 (permalink)
twoskinsoneman Uncle Bob's Love Child BTK Intermediate Join Date: May 2005 Location: VA Posts: 269	Yeah the '05 is the quietest exauhst I think I've ever heard. Of course it lets your hear perfectly all the metal parts banging together in the cyl heads. __________________ 2005 Vulcan Nomad 1600 Black and Silver "F!ck smiley glad hands with hidden agendas"

09-19-2005	#7 (permalink)
bjones Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lone Rock Wisconsin Posts: 151	I have found that fuel does make a difference. Premium is better __________________ 02 Drifter Thunder Air Kit PCM III 78 KZ 650 79 KZ 650

09-19-2005	#8 (permalink)
Night Flight TEXAS PATRIOT GUARD BTK Expert Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Texas - Rio Grand Valley Posts: 857	Oh, I see. I have to remove my Cobras and put the stockers back on in order to here the clunks in the motor!!! __________________ Blue/Silver 2005 Nomad VROC # 17291 Phat II Risers AM/FM CD MP3 Garmin GPS Midland CB

09-19-2005	#11 (permalink)
Night Flight TEXAS PATRIOT GUARD BTK Expert Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Texas - Rio Grand Valley Posts: 857	I may have to take the Cobras off the bike, having trouble hearing my radio. Wayne Night Flight __________________ Blue/Silver 2005 Nomad VROC # 17291 Phat II Risers AM/FM CD MP3 Garmin GPS Midland CB Last edited by Night Flight : 03-17-2006 at 10:19 AM.

09-19-2005	#12 (permalink)
T-man Deerslayer & BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 1,266	Hmmm...both my Kaw engines seem pretty quiet... maybe it's my hearing.. Or just my pipes!! Actually, the V2K motor is a bit quieter than the 1500, probably due to the fact it is a pushrod motor instead of overhead cam (no chain noise). __________________ T-man VROC #12333 2005 V2K Ltd 2001 1500 Classic FI http://www.geocities.com/tensman_99/mcpics.html

09-20-2005	#13 (permalink)
Xlr8n Living on the dark side Forum Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: midwest Posts: 2,541	Get youself some HK's and the engine noise will magically disappear!

09-25-2005	#17 (permalink)
Scruffy Scooter Trash! BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Buckley Wa USA Posts: 2,365	Okay, amendment...loudest liquid cooled MOTORCYCLE engine. And, since I can hear it over those lousy Cobra pipes, you know it is mechanically noisy. You'd think it was a diesel. I'm switching back to Chevron premium fuel. The motor was cooler, quieter, and made better mileage (52.5 on premium, versus 46ish on regular). Spok, you forgot the horrendous clunk when putting the bike in first after a cold start. Shifts smooth/quiet the rest of the day. It's a unit construction bike, therefore, the shifter is part of the motor... -Scruffy __________________ Eagle Scout. Veteran. Patriot Guard Rider. 1950s style Savage barhopper 1950s style VN800B bagger

09-26-2005	#19 (permalink)
Dandy Don Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: jacksonville fl Posts: 39	Ride it till it stops, then worry about it. How else can Kawi stay in business !

09-30-2005	#20 (permalink)
T-man Deerslayer & BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 1,266	BTW...my 30,000 mile + 1500 Classic FI is QUIET...and, I have always used KawChem 10w-40 and change at 2500 miles. Could this be a factor???? __________________ T-man VROC #12333 2005 V2K Ltd 2001 1500 Classic FI http://www.geocities.com/tensman_99/mcpics.html

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