Whirring noise at 40 mph

[jhellman]

On a recent long trip, my 2009 Voyager with 31,000 miles started to make a whirring noise once it got above 40 mph. The noise was hard to describe, much like that of a gas-powered model airplane, and it varied by speed. Once below 30 mph, it stopped. It also was more prominant once the bike warmed up.

BTW, I do have the KAMS kit installed by the dealer.

I suspected that one of the fans might be hitting a shroud. The left cooling fan by the seat seemed OK, so perhaps the radiator.

I took it to the dealer, and after their verification of the noise, and help by a Kawi tech rep, were narrowing it down to possibly the kevlar belt or perhaps the rear pulley (neither covered by my extended Kawi warrenty), and a fix of $1400.

But, they're very cautious, and called in a new Kawi tech rep, who has proved it's the rear transmission bearing. It's a major job, but is covered by my warranty.

Somewhat unusual, but I do commend my shop for being so comprehensive for a very rare issue.

[rick]

Would this be the output bearing, possibly caused by belt being too tight? Am glad for you its not coming out of your pocket to repair.

[jhellman]

Sorry to take so long, but it's still in the shop. Warranty issues take time, and when they disassembled the transmission, they did find it was the left side bearing that supports the main shaft to the drive pulley. They also found other damage, likely due to heat, so the Kawi techs have to review this latest. Thank goodness I bought the addtional Good Times warranty - the cost is already estimated over $2500.

[doug of so fla]

Did they correct the $1400.00 charge? inmho they should.. Just saying..