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Rattling in Neutral

2.9K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  TravelingMan  
#1 ·
I have the 2018 tour manual 6 speed and when it warm such after I've been riding for at least 30 minutes my engine/gearcase sounds like marbles rolling around in there when stopped and in neutral.
When I pull in the clutch it quiets down.
My question is this a normal Honda thing or do I need to get it looked at?
Ken
 
#2 ·
I have a DCT and I too notice this marble rolling type noise when stopped - usually in Neutral - I presume, based on the comments of others, it is somewhat normal for that boxer engine / transmission configuration. I mentioned this to the service guys when I went in 20K service last fall and they also said, yep, they make that noise. Under load it is quiet and smooth
 
#3 ·
Exactly...I can not hear it while riding at all.
Actually I never heard it until recently because I usually shut the bike down prior to removing my helmet. It wasn't until recently I removed my helmet while the bike was running to open the garage door and I was like what the heck is that noise.
 
#4 ·
Similar noise often reported with th previous generation; some called it normal or typical. My 2002 very seldom made that noise and only slightly them. Something to do with throw-out bearing or other clutch parts. I have no theory as to why a DCT would make that sound, but they do have clutches.

prs
 
#5 ·
I think you'll find most bikes do that in neutral. It's just backlash in the gear train (there has to be some). Even in neutral, all the gears are in mesh. When idling, the firing pulses mixed with compression pulses tends to rattle the gears. Pulling the clutch lever puts a slight load on the clutch basket holding it back and disengages the rest of the gear train.

Our bikes have such quiet exhausts you can often hear it if you remove your helmet. But some seem worse than others.