I have a 2014 XL883L. I have tried to follow all the rules for breaking in the bike. I have noticed what I would call a rattle after riding for about 20 minutes. I read a lot of forum posts with similar issues. All said it was normal for HD to make some noise, so I have not been worried about it.

I am not a mechanic, but I thought of something to try. Yesterday when the engine started making the noise, I was in 5th gear, 50 mph and 2800 RPM. I just let off the throttle completely and let the compression have a sudden change. This caused the noise to stop. 10 min later, noise returned...did the same thing and it stopped again.

Any idea what this is and is it serious enough to take in to dealer before the 1000 miles service?

Thanks for any advice!

 

You paid good money for that bike, and it comes with a warranty. Use it. Take it back to your dealer.


John

 

Most say 50mph is too slow for high gear. I know mine don't like it. I usually keep it in 4th gear till about 60mph or better. Higher if there's a headwind or a bit of an uphill grade

The other thing is that these are tuned very lean from the factory to satisfy EPA. Its likely that due to lugging and a lean fuel curve, it's pinging.

 

Times two that.

When I got mine it had just over 800 miles on it and the carbon on top of the pistons was way more than one would think a new motor would get in 800 miles. If he keeps running at them speed to rpm it will only get worse. Riding the same way you do, by the time I hit the 5K service and I pulled the plugs to look, it was all gone.

 

Thanks for the advice. As you can tell, I am a new motorcycle rider. The manual says to shift into 5th at 45 mph. I did not realize that I was doing something wrong. I will wait before shifting to give that a try. Is there a general RPM that I should shift each gear?

 

Thanks! I will take back to dealer. I guess I have "newbie" fear it will not be the bike it will be the dumb rider. I am trying to learn about the bike...this forum has been great to read and learn. Thanks again for the advice!

 

I don't have a tach, but for just general cruising, I'll shift to 2nd at about 20-24mph, into third at about 35, into 4th at about 45, and into fifth no sooner than 60. If I need to accelerate quickly, I'll wind 'er out a little further in each gear.

Try that for a while and see if your noises go away before bringing it back to the dealer. They'll probably try to sell you something you don't need for a problem that may not exist

 

Everyone I know with a 2014 sporty has that vibration/noise around 2800-2900 RPM in any gear. That really is to low of RPM unless you have no load going on. I know what the manual says and can't believe HD would list the speed gear that low for a Sportster. Maybe a big twin. Most Sporty rubber mounted riders don't shift into 5th until around 60-65 mph. Try not shifting into the next gear until around 3200-3400 RPM and see how that goes for you. I shift to 4th gear around 45-50 mph.

 

I had a 2012 Superlow - ignore the manual's shift points - they are way too low. Don't be afraid to get the rpm's up there before you shift. I found 52-54 mph was perfect for 4th and never shifted into 5th until 65 mph or so. You basically don't need 5th until you're going out on the highway.

Just use your ear and feel for when to shift, you'll get the hang of it. I know when I got my 48 the gearing is much taller, it took a while to get used to that. Each bike is an individual. For a sporty, 3400-4000 rpm is where each gear likes to be.

 

Sorry, double post