Rattle when starting

[Coconut]

During Winter storage it is not generally a good idea to start the engine every few days,
and let it Idle until it is up to operating temperature as suggested,
as there is the likelihood of condensation forming inside the engine and causing more harm than good.

Doing so may also be detrimental to the Battery which will have taken a "Hit" starting the engine,
but may not be re-charged much, if at all, while the engine is merely Idling.

Having looked at number of articles after "Googling" the Topic,
most recommend filling the fuel tank on the last ride home
before Winter storage, and adding the recommended dose of fuel stabiliser.
( The stabilised fuel thus being left in contact with various internal engine components ).

Clean the bike, Wax / WD40 / ACF-50 etc onto any exposed and accessible parts,
and stick a rag in the end of the exhaust to keep Spiders / Bugs / Critters etc out.

If possible, have the Bike on the centre stand, and raise the front end slightly
so that neither tyre is on the ground, avoiding the risk of flat spotting them.

See this article on raising the front end :
Raising the Front Wheel for Cleaning / Maintenance / Winter Storage

Cover the bike with a big cotton sheet to keep the dust off, or a "Breathable" Bike cover.

[GaryWWhite]

  Thanks Alan for the information! Around here it gets really cold and then moderates for a few days in weather you can ride in (like the 50's).  So I guess I will ride on those days so as to get the bike going well to not get any condensation.  Also, my bike is dirty and I really do need to clean it but am too lazy to connect the hose to the faucet and run it down to the garage.  My hose connection is below my deck and you have to be a contortionist to hook it up.  I had planned on hooking up a quick connect to the faucet but haven't gotten around to it.  Oh well, it will get cleaned one of these days. 

[SprintST1050]

Interesting thread as my bike made some nasty sounds after sitting for nearly 2 months last fall.  Sounded like it was running on only 2 cylinders and about to come apart.  Bike only had a couple hundred miles or so. 'Let it Rain!'.  It's still a brand new bike so if the bitch blows up I'll just trailer it back to the dealer.  After a few minutes the idle smoothed out, quieted down and has never done it again.  Initial service was performed at around 400 miles back in December. 

Now, I marvel at how easily the bike starts after sitting for several weeks and how quietly and smoothly it idles - a true pleasure to listen to.  Bike just turned 600 miles yesterday.  Rode about 60 miles yesterday and enjoyed every minute.  Listened to a brand new version of 'Bad Company' on Sirius XM during my ride - helped make my day!

[GarminDave]

My 30,000 mile 2016 Trophy had a noisy rattle on start up and idle.  I was not too bothered as I'd heard a lot about triple rattles but a Harley riding mate mentioned he thought it was noisy, which is good coming from a Harley rider!

So at the service, I mentioned it to the technician.

He diagnosed a fault on the front bevel box, this surprised me as the noise was at tick over.  Never mind replaced under warranty.  As I expected it did not solve the noise.

He then suggested it was the Alternator.  Stripped and replaced which solved the issue.

These two jobs would have cost the best part of £2,000

So in my view I'd get it sorted as my bike now sounds as sweet as a nut.

Love, light, and kindness,

Dave

[threeup]

stick a rag in the end of the exhaust to keep Spiders / Bugs / Critters etc out.

My neext door neighbour had a real problem last spring with his Hyabusa having neglected this simple precaution. Our local squirrals had stored a load of corn in his silencer which was in real danger of becoming popcorn!!!

Took a long while to remove it all with compressed air!

[Rick505]

Oh great.....lots of exciting things to look forward to in the Spring.  Critters.....funny sounds that may spell imminent disaster........fun to be had.   

[janfmiller]

My '13 rattled on startup for the 1st 15000 miles of it's life.  took that long to get the shop to actually LISTEN to it ( had to be cold ) and then they agreed the tensioner was NFG, but none it stock, 3 weeks to get!  But after replacement my cold-start rattle was gone and has not returned yet, 76000 miles on the bike...

[MrFeo]

Adding my name to this topic in case anyone else had updates here. Not sure what percentage of these are rectified VS left as-is peacefully VS catastrophic failure. Other than 1 alternator mention, more commonly seems to be chain or tensioner related.

Seems most are at startup, some are when warm.

Mine is 2014 with SN ending 605---. Didn't notice on 1st start up, thereafter when warm it would make some occasional faint but distinct clunking/clanking rattle noise when at idle. I'll keep monitoring and try to better locate, still new to me so learning its quirks and will be giving oil change to see if that makes a difference.