Hi folks, I have a 2012 SX there is a "pinking" rattle between 2000 & 3000 revs in every gear, I have been told this is normal, anyone she'd any light on this please.
Geezerh

 

First, is it a body panel or something rattling against the fuel tank. Pull panels and see if it quits and if there is a polished spot possibly to the metal, where a panel is hitting.

Also you aren't lugging the bike way down and trying to full throttle out are you? That could cause detonation making a rattling from the top end. I don't know if the 250 can do this, but I guarantee you my 650 will NOT tolerate lugging down to 2000 rpm then trying to full throttle out, especially in the upper gears. I have no idea what my 250 does at 2000-3000 rpm since I don't bother running it that low. Heck, for me that's about idle on a bike this small!

If a body panel or lugging the bike too low isn't it, get a mechanic's stethoscope or long handle screwdriver (put your ear to the handle to listen with the screwdriver) and put the tip around the area where you think the noise is coming from.Start with which side it is loudest, then start probing around. Odds are it will be the right side, but it could possibly be the left side if a valve or something to do with start gears. The sound can definitely be traced by sound.

On the right side put the tip of your listening device up around the cam cover (pull off the radiator shroud to get best access), to see if it might be loose valve clearances. Move it over around the cam chain tensioner area to see if the tensioner is allowing play in the cam drive, and down toward the bottom end.

On the left check around the head for loose valve clearances or exhaust compression release. Then maybe around the starter drive area.

I've not looked at the way the compression release works on the 250, but on the 650 it will make a definite clacking noise if the spring on it comes off. Obviously if the valves are making the rattle, they may need to be checked. If the cam drive rattles, that is taken care of with a manual tensioner, which I make. If it is the starter area - I dunno!

Of course we are hoping it is a rattling body panel though...

 

Welcome Geez... +1^ on KLX' post (above.) My immediate response is.....exactly WHO has been telling you "it's normal?" Give us more detail on the location of the rattle. If need be, have a good friend ride the bike to assist you in finding the source; sitting in the saddle can play tricks on your ears.
Welcome again...

 

Welcome to KF

I am thinking fairing rattle/rub too. +! to Klx's post above.

 

Yeah, never believe "they're all noisy". I believed that and was relieved of about $500 doing a new top end on my bike when the cam chains were ruined and a couple valves burnt. Find out what the noise is then figure if it is good or bad.

 

LOL^..."relieved".....I like that. ROFL.

 

hahaha, lets just donate today. I liked that as well.