Hello all!

I have been lurking here for awhile now. Found lots of good info. I bought my bike about 3 months ago. Its an Red 09 KLX250s. Now I have run into an issue. My bike has a horribe claking/knocking sound at 5500 to 6000 rpms. This is not the normal noises we all hear and worry about when we first buy our bikes. I seem to have pin pointed the sound to the topend. It is loud, can be easily heard over the normal engine noise and exhaust. It is actually load enough to hurt your ears if you have your head down by the engine. It does it while in gear driving, or even in neutral. My bike is totally stock, with 2500 miles. The only other this is it does not do it all the time. Please, any help or advice would be appreciated!!!

 

sounds like valve trouble that should be taken care of under warranty

 

I belive in the service manual it says recommend valve adjustment at 2500 miles,,, its probably due...

oh and Welcome to KF

 

Did you get the valves checked with your 600 mile break in initial service?

I'm guessing it's valve related and covered by your factory warranty so, I'd take it into the dealer ASAP before something lets go and really messes things up.

 

Valves are not due till 7500, then 15,000. What you got sounds like some damage has occurred already. Ask Eric (EMS) about engine noise, he will be glad to bend your ear. Bottom line: GET THE BIKE INTO THE SHOP!!!! That's what warranties are for.

 

Yup, I have read all about his problem and how long it has taken. My bike has had a very light tapping since about 1200 miles. I took it to the dealer and they said it sounded normal. I got it out today to see if it was still making the noises, and it is. The valves have not been adjusted. The dealer acted like I was stupid for wanting to when I took it up there at 1200 miles.

One more question:
Is it normal for the oil to be jet black after 100 miles? It seems to get very bad looking quick. I have changed it about every 800 miles except for the first one at 100. I have about 1000 miles on this oil change.

 

Also, it seems if it was a valve issue it wouldn't happen at just that RPM range. It happens every time at around 5800. Also, it is much worse on deceleration in gear.

Is this bike suitable for a 100 mile commute? Do you think me driving this far led to this problem?

Sorry for the question and thanks for the help!

 

I personally don't think this bike is suitable for that length of a commute, not without at least a couple breaks to let the bike rest. Is it 100 miles of stop and go or is it freeway, 60MPH buzzing? Either way, 100 miles of commute probably is a bit hard on the bike. Is it the cause of your problem? That I do not know.

If your vibration and noise only come at a certain RPM and/or during deceleration... my uneducated guess would be a balance issue in the motor, although it could definately be a FUBAR'ed valve... again, just uneducated guess based on my limited engine knowledge.

 

Its 100 round trip. 50 miles one way. The engine is actually very smooth and runs great. I am getting 75mpg, and I weigh 235. The commute is stop and go half the way, 25 miles hwy at 60 mph.

 

My opinion is a valve-train problem. Possibly from a popped out shim? Just a guess. I do not think riding the bike for 100 miles would have any negative impact on your bike, unless of course you were riding it at full throttle. Next thing is, I would not even ride it to the dealer, but truck or trailer it there. Don't run it until they repair it under warranty.