Hello all,
I just joined this thread and have some technical questions on my 03 R1 I picked up a few weeks ago. It had 3900 miles on it when I bought it. I've been riding cruisers for a few years and this is my first crotch rocket.

First - When starting the bike, I assume it would automatically choke like some of my friends new sport bikes. It does not though. It maintains a steady low throttle. Is this normal?

Second - When moving around slowly in first gear, engaging the clutch is jerky and the bike doesnt seem to run smoothly making it easier for me to stall it when starting off from stop lights.

Third - In 6th gear, accelerating from 55-60mph, my bike makes a harmonic whistling noise coming from the front end. It only happens in this gear during this speed. I have no idea what it is.

Fourth - When starting the bike, it makes a knocking sound coming from the engine. It tends to go away once the bike is been rolling for a few miles.... Could it be the cam chain tensioner? :wtf

Please let me know if you all have any advice for I could use some in this matter. I need help

:help!

:welcome to the board.


I'll try and give you some imput into some of your issue's.

Your bike might have a manual choke that you need to use on cold start up's, check your bike manual, or if you don't have it , download it from here http://www.r1messagenet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312


The clucth and first gear, you will learn with some time to become smooth with it, just try a little more rpm's or release the clutch slower, it will come and be smooth.


The whistling noice might be because the speed is to slow for that gear when you get on the throtle, does it happen when you do it at a higher speed ??


The knocking sound, I can't help you with, you should get a mechanic to give your bike a good service and checking over for you.


Oz:beermug

Give it a good service or at least an oil + filter change (Do this yourself, save money) Sounds like your'e riding in too higher gear for the speed. Change down or speed up. You will get used to the clutch. Practise. at 3900 miles (6000ks) I don't think their will be much wrong with the bike.

And most of all enjoy it!

As for the knocking, did you check you oil level?

Hello all,
I just joined this thread and have some technical questions on my 03 R1 I picked up a few weeks ago. It had 3900 miles on it when I bought it. I've been riding cruisers for a few years and this is my first crotch rocket.

First - When starting the bike, I assume it would automatically choke like some of my friends new sport bikes. It does not though. It maintains a steady low throttle. Is this normal?

Second - When moving around slowly in first gear, engaging the clutch is jerky and the bike doesnt seem to run smoothly making it easier for me to stall it when starting off from stop lights.

Third - In 6th gear, accelerating from 55-60mph, my bike makes a harmonic whistling noise coming from the front end. It only happens in this gear during this speed. I have no idea what it is.

Fourth - When starting the bike, it makes a knocking sound coming from the engine. It tends to go away once the bike is been rolling for a few miles.... Could it be the cam chain tensioner? :wtf

Please let me know if you all have any advice for I could use some in this matter. I need help

:help!

Any word on what it turned out to be?

my r1 runs like crap and NO power - oil is good and good level- plugs look good-oil light comes on- engine light comes on - i'm stumped - no rod knock sounds -
any help anyone?

The whistling sound is your fans when the bike gets hot I think - its loud on these bikes - i juyst got this r1 and noticed that