2009 5th Gear Whine. Just How Bad is it?

J

jeevan r

New member
I have an '07 and have the same experience. I don't notice the whine unless I really listen for it. Using a heavy gear oil like Redline Shockproof Heavy will help, but my whine was never something that bothered me, even when new.

Anyway, what year did they begin using the helical gears for 1st and 5th? Was it '09 or '10?
 
I like the added noise in 1st and 5th gear, reminds me what gear I am in without having to look down at the speedo and guess.
 
I don't mind the 5th gear whine but it alarmed me the first time I rode the bike because I came off a 5 speed that was dead silent, except clunks which I also know are normal. Now that I know the whine is normal, I barely hear it. What bugs me is I read about the issues with '07 primary and output shaft bearing failures and any whine makes me listen closer.

I have been around machinery for over 30 years and know things make noise - I have learned to make a "baseline" and can tell when something is normal, not normal, etc. Pretty sure all of the whines my ride makes are normal because I've been riding the crap out of it nearly every day and it sounds exactly like it did when I bought it. I personally LIKE the noises Harleys make - it gives them a personality.
 
Even though they changed the 5th gear for the 2010 models, I can still hear a difference in transmission sounds of 5th and 6th gear on my new limited.

The 08 Ultra that I had had a very noticeable whine in 5th. To me it was just another sound of my Harley and reminded me that I was in fifth gear. Now I find my self looking for that little "6" light much more often.

If you are bothered by white noise then it may bother you. If you are into the action of the ride and the scenery you are seeing then this will not be too big of an issue. The stereo should have little or no problem covering most of the sound of the transmission.
 
I can hear it if I am riding next to a concrete barrier, with the stereo off, not getting on the throttle hard, and if I am listening very carefully. Of course that rarely happens so I don't really notice it. I am running redline.
 
I like the whine I know what gear I am in. All the rattles, ticks, clicks & what ever noise she makes it is part of her character.
 
I never heard it unless i was trying to hear it.
I figure that I have a better gear than the one that Harley went to with the '10.

Harley changed it to make some happy and not to make it stronger. The one on my '09 is stronger than the newer one and I think it will last longer.
 
I have a '09 Road King and yes it is annoying. Put Redline Shockproof in the tranny a few weeks ago and it made a mojor difference. Can still hear a little but not nearly as bad as before. Others say that it will quiet down after a few more miles and Im inclined to believe them. My bike has 6k miles on it now and I can already feel the engine loosen up. I have stock pipes so I guess mine would be louder than others.
 
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