This past Saturday I went for a scoot towards Altoona, Pa (aboot 160 miles one way) with some local guys. Lotsa hills but
all of it highway riding. The troubling part is if I rolled on the loud handle I would get some valve rattle. My 14r has never been filled wth anything less than
92 octane. The conditions are: 175 degree coolant, 75 degree ambient air, 60 mph starting road speed, flat road, 6'4 340# pilot, cruising in sixth gear.
A gentle, gradual roll on is noise free. A slightly more aggressive application of the throttle produces the rattle.
All the fuel up here is ten percent ethanol. Perhaps my previous experience with v-twins is leading me to keep the RPMs too low?

Using 6th is a low rpm load. The knocking will be eliminated if you unload the IAS/MAS/ = Intake vacuum loads. How to eliminate it is for a 4th or 5th gear, already has some higher rpm so it won't load and cause a knock.

So I need to teach myself to let the engine wind higher in lower gears if I want to increase engine load dramatically?

don't have one yet to tell where the powerband is...but my 600 will run better in the meat of the mid range.. say just above 5000 rpm..if i jump on the gas little more.

It runs cooler at 5800 then it does at 4800.

In 6 gear what rpm were you at when you heard the noise while you decided to punch the gas a little more....if you were at say 4200 i would think just guessing that 5200 might be better.

MY NINJA 250 would run at 7500 to 8500 rpm all day long... sometimes for 50 to 70 miles at those rpm never had one issue with the engine... you will not hurt that motor letting it breath a little more.

* Last updated by: mark43 on 3/18/2012 @ 9:21 PM *

Yes you do. Do the same routine you do taking off, but step down a gear. Think of the load as a fulcrum point. You know it is easier to swing the hammer at the end of the handle, rather than at the middle or near the head of the hammer. This in a way, is how you are not giving the engine an easier way to swing away under the hammer load. 6th is the neck hold, 5th is the half hold, 4th is the, "Hammer Down!" Kind of like those are your shift points, un-knocking the engine at low rpm loads.

Just shooting in the dark here... You don't think it's the traction control kicking in? Define rattle... And what mode where you in?

Mark43: 3600-4100 rpm

Dragking: power F, KTRC 2. My family calls pre-ignition "valve rattle" cuz its a light, high pitched, pinging
that seems to eminate from the upper end of the engine. I realize the valves are closed and seated during the event...
its just kinda what folks called it.

Hub: thx for the analogy, made it easy for me to comprehend.

* Last updated by: hagrid on 3/19/2012 @ 6:02 AM *

"A gentle, gradual roll on is noise free"....yes...ignition timing is not moving much,or as quickly doing that.I think that's what you're hearing...ignition timing.With that load and low rpm deal.

Just curious here...what rpm are you rolling on from at 60 in 6th gear?You are weighing in at 340 lbs.Sounds like she's possibly on the verge of lugging.Maybe.Not much...but a smidgen.Not actually hearing it myself on your bike...it's hard to know what you are speaking of...BUT...with mine...in 1st,if I'm BARELY moving...1-2 mph,and I gas her...she'll have a slight 'bog' feeling and the motor will sound like it's in a tunnel for just a second or so until the rpms get up past like...1500 or so.She will do this a bit less during low speed,high gear,low rpm powering as well...not as pronounced,but it's there..I try to NOT drive that way).The ECU flash pretty much took care of that however...they reset the ignition tables to match better with the secondary opening off idle.This motor seems to respond better,much better to 'higher' rpm transitions(not crazy high)...but above 2500 at least when rolling on or shifting and such.I'd be careful about driving in low rpm areas and gassing her quickly.Just my .02She's much happier shifting in the 4500-upper rpm areas.Cruising's one thing....powering up after a shift is another.I wouldn't drive this bike cruising and shifting and gassing at 1500 or anywhere near that.

Personally,I've never ridden yet with the KTRC on the #2 position.It could be possible that it'a actually starting to kick in barely for whatever reason.IDK.2 and 3 are for the most sensitive of road/traction conditions.Try KTRC on 1,or 'off' for a tad...see if that changes anything?Remember...it will default to #1 every time you turn the key off,and back on.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/19/2012 @ 8:52 AM *

Copy that on the low rpm, heavy throttle app Grn. I think Hubster and M43 are telling me the same thing.
It would appear ive learned some bad habits from my previous scooter. I just need to reprogram my headgear so
i dont overload the engine on my new scooter. Thanks to all who took the time to pitch in two cents!