Noisy Transmission

[kenfrancois]

2003 R1150RT 125K miles. Transmission has quite a bit of gear noise under light load. Shifts good up or down. No noise when clutch is in. Changed oil with no trash in the oil.

Should I put ear plugs in and ride, or should I be concerned.

Thanks

 

[PGlaves]

2003 R1150RT 125K miles. Transmission has quite a bit of gear noise under light load. Shifts good up or down. No noise when clutch is in. Changed oil with no trash in the oil.

Should I put ear plugs in and ride, or should I be concerned.

Thanks

Is this a new noise, or a new to you bike? If it is a bike you have had and the noise is new you have some reason to be concerned. But if it is a new-to-you bike and you are wondering, the good shifting and lack of trash in the oil tell me you should just ride it.

 

[AntonLargiader]

At that mileage you are very likely to be due for a front input shaft bearing. I've replaced quite a few of them around 100,000 miles (this is specific to the 1150-gen 6-speed). On the RT, the drain plug is separate from the magnetic plug, so there may be debris that you are not seeing when you drain the oil.

The bearing is sealed on both sides so you may not see any debris. Also, I have had one case where it was actually the front intermediate shaft bearing instead, although this doesn't really change anything. You still need to get it dealt with if this is indeed the issue. If you are unfamiliar with normal noise, find another R1150RT to compare it to and see what the owner thinks of yours.

 

[hacksaw496]

My '99 R1100RT definitely runs much smoother with earplugs.

 

[kenfrancois]

The Input Shaft Bearing was the main problem. Replacing all bearings and seals while it is apart.