[Geoff PD]

As a new owner of this otherwise fabulous machine, the one REALLY embarrassing thing that in my opinion RUINS this bike is the annoying air intake roar.
Mine makes a terrible din particularly around 5500 to 6000 rpm ( the sweet spot where you are accelerating up through the gears or overtaking someone)!!!!
Has anyone else experienced this or have I bought a lemon???
It’s acceptable (I guess) on some street racer bike where yourctrying to impress your mates, but on a ‘refined’ GS ....... come on! It’s just embarrassing! Add that to the TERRIBLE noise that comes from the top of the engine and it just sounds like it’s about to spill the contents on the roadside!
What can o do to keep the intake quieter?? Different filter? Bigger air box??
HELP!


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[G0MYW]

oh ... I rather like the intake roar... so we all have different likes.
I use earplugs to try and preserve my old hearing.
Maybe thats an option for you.?

 

[Brava210]

As a new owner of this otherwise fabulous machine, the one REALLY embarrassing thing that in my opinion RUINS this bike is the annoying air intake roar.
Mine makes a terrible din particularly around 5500 to 6000 rpm ( the sweet spot where you are accelerating up through the gears or overtaking someone)!!!!
Has anyone else experienced this or have I bought a lemon???
It’s acceptable (I guess) on some street racer bike where yourctrying to impress your mates, but on a ‘refined’ GS ....... come on! It’s just embarrassing! Add that to the TERRIBLE noise that comes from the top of the engine and it just sounds like it’s about to spill the contents on the roadside!
What can o do to keep the intake quieter?? Different filter? Bigger air box??
HELP!


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I think the "Bag of nails" engine noise is something to be annoyed about I suppose, but the roar is not so bad

 

[Rahul Khatri]

I dont like the air intake roar either
It feels like the engine will blast off at any moment (in high rpm)
Will changing the air filter make the roar go away or atleast refine it a bit ?
If yes then which are the good ones on market?

 

[Geoff PD]

In comparison.... I also ride an XMAX 300i maxiscooter. Engines are about the same size. Roughly the same output, but the Yamaha ( as well as being quite noticeably faster than the GS) is SILENT! No top end noise; no inlet roar! And it’s hugely less vibrating.
So much for German engineering. You’re being taught a lesson by the Japanese!


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[P.J.]

I dont like the air intake roar either
It feels like the engine will blast off at any moment (in high rpm)
Will changing the air filter make the roar go away or atleast refine it a bit ?
If yes then which are the good ones on market?

Nope, changing the filter will not make the induction sound go away. The airbox volume and shape(length of snorkel/trumpet) are frequency tuned to the engine. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmholtz_resonance

And yes there are at least to alternative so called free flowing airfilters on the market, KN and BMC, here is the BMC variant: https://www.bmcairfilters.com/eng/standard-bike-filters/fm993-20/1604/art

I would not waste money on it.

Here you can see how to change the filter on a G310 R:

 

[Tukemeister]

If you want to hear bad noises, find a Ducati 916 / 996 /999 / 748 / 749
My 748 at tick over was making such a rattling noise, it was if the whole engine was about to fall out- in fact it was embarrassing at traffic lights - dry clutch basket and open cover.
As for intake noise it was if it was sucking the life out of the local wildlife. I have no idea how it got past for noise levels even with a oem exhaust - it was loud. When bought they should have come with a lifetime supply of earplugs.
My mate used to joke - 'shall we go and scare some old ladies and suck rabbits out of the hedges'

 

[Brava210]

In comparison.... I also ride an XMAX 300i maxiscooter. Engines are about the same size. Roughly the same output, but the Yamaha ( as well as being quite noticeably faster than the GS) is SILENT! No top end noise; no inlet roar! And it’s hugely less vibrating.
So much for German engineering. You’re being taught a lesson by the Japanese!


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Same here I have a Honda Forza 300 Scooter, the engine is silent and very quick.
I do still enjoy the GS, I find it very easy to flick about, just the engine does not inspire confidence

 

[Brava210]

In comparison.... I also ride an XMAX 300i maxiscooter. Engines are about the same size. Roughly the same output, but the Yamaha ( as well as being quite noticeably faster than the GS) is SILENT! No top end noise; no inlet roar! And it’s hugely less vibrating.
So much for German engineering. You’re being taught a lesson by the Japanese!


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Same here I have a Honda Forza 300 Scooter, the engine is silent and very quick.
I do still enjoy the GS, I find it very easy to flick about, just the engine does not inspire confidence

 

[shapemaster]

Roar of the wild

As a new owner of this otherwise fabulous machine, the one REALLY embarrassing thing that in my opinion RUINS this bike is the annoying air intake roar.
Mine makes a terrible din particularly around 5500 to 6000 rpm ( the sweet spot where you are accelerating up through the gears or overtaking someone)!!!!
Has anyone else experienced this or have I bought a lemon???
It’s acceptable (I guess) on some street racer bike where yourctrying to impress your mates, but on a ‘refined’ GS ....... come on! It’s just embarrassing! Add that to the TERRIBLE noise that comes from the top of the engine and it just sounds like it’s about to spill the contents on the roadside!
What can o do to keep the intake quieter?? Different filter? Bigger air box??
HELP!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This was the thing I never noticed when I first test rode this bike a year back.
Then, when I rode it in a test before I purchased it I flogged it and that's when the intake came alive
and I thought WOW! I ride with silicone ear plugs and a full helmet when riding any distance but no matter this intake can be annoying but with plugs in there is just the lower hum and I'm fine with it. However, I think you need to let someone else ride your bike down the street and you'll find that to others it's just not that loud or annoying.
When you ride on top of a bike you hear it all.
However, my 2018 R1200GS Adventure with the 1200 water boxer motor was very loud up on top.
My R Nine T Scrambler not at all. I miss that bike.

 

[whatever]

After seeing this thread, I started noticing the noise. And now my life is completely changed (OMG, it is annoying).

 

[shajufx]

It’s acceptable (I guess) on some street racer bike where yourctrying to impress your mates, but on a ‘refined’ GS ....... come on! It’s just embarrassing! Add that to the TERRIBLE noise that comes from the top of the engine and it just sounds like it’s about to spill the contents on the roadside!

I didnt know that noise was from air intake until I read your post here !!
Is it the same noise at 7000 RPM you are talking about ?
I love that noise :smile2:

 

[Kris]

I rapped a foam pre-filter around the air snorkel. in this way, i do not hear any noise and do not need to change the main filter for many years.

 

[Brava210]

your'e strangling the engine, it was not designed to run like that...

 

[Kris]

your'e strangling the engine, it was not designed to run like that...

No, I am not. the pre-filter allows air to enter freely while removing the dirt. I use the same on the Tiger 800. the thing you need to keep in mind is that the manufacturer is allowing too little fuel to enter the engine, for emission control. reducing the airflow brings of a balance. Unifilter in Australia makes excellent products. like this one: https://bigbadbikes.com/product/pre-filter-for-tiger-800-xr-xrx-xcx-xca/

it never ceases to amaze me how bikers ride with such dirty filters. all that dirt enters the engine. my moto is, if you care about your bike, care about your air filter....

 

[Geoff PD]

I had a thought reading another thread about after market exhausts.....bear with me and read on -
I started this discussion because of the HORRIBLE noise my engine makes at around 5500rpm. I sounds as if something plastic is loose inside the air intake and rattling against the outside of the air box.
Now before I take everything apart to check, can someone confirm that I must be wrong because there is nothing in the air box that could be loose!
The noise starts at about 5000 rpm and builds up in volume at about 5500 -6000 rpm and is louder than the exhaust, engine noise of wind noise! Over 6000 although it is still there, the intake roar takes over and the weird plastic/rattle/vibration noise is drowned out and/or diminishes.
Then I thought..... the previous owner admitted to trying an aftermarket exhaust. It’s got the standard system back on now before I bought it.
Is it possible this noise could be a loose exhaust baffle???? How would I check this??

Seriously guys.... this noise is RUINING the bike for me. I find myself changing up at 5000rpm and not using ANY of the main power band of the engine. The noise is just embarrassing!


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[GravyLoops]

Is anyone able to record the noise? I'm not sure I have heard it.

 

[Geoff PD]

....and another thought. I did comment that this noise/rattle sounded 'plasticky'. What's the chance that (although definitely related to engine speed) it's part of the plastic body panels vibrating at a certain resonance? Any other members had anything similar?

 

[whatever]

I had a thought reading another thread about after market exhausts.....bear with me and read on -
I started this discussion because of the HORRIBLE noise my engine makes at around 5500rpm. I sounds as if something plastic is loose inside the air intake and rattling against the outside of the air box.
Now before I take everything apart to check, can someone confirm that I must be wrong because there is nothing in the air box that could be loose!
The noise starts at about 5000 rpm and builds up in volume at about 5500 -6000 rpm and is louder than the exhaust, engine noise of wind noise! Over 6000 although it is still there, the intake roar takes over and the weird plastic/rattle/vibration noise is drowned out and/or diminishes.
Then I thought..... the previous owner admitted to trying an aftermarket exhaust. It’s got the standard system back on now before I bought it.
Is it possible this noise could be a loose exhaust baffle???? How would I check this??

Seriously guys.... this noise is RUINING the bike for me. I find myself changing up at 5000rpm and not using ANY of the main power band of the engine. The noise is just embarrassing!


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Me too. I always skip the 5000 to 6000rpm range since I noticed this terrible noise. I actually think it might be from the engine.

 

[Geoff PD]

Me too. I always skip the 5000 to 6000rpm range since I noticed this terrible noise. I actually think it might be from the engine.

Finally.....somebody else with the same problem.
Have you ever had anyone take a look at it to see where it's coming from? A BMW dealer or other mechanic? It's impossible for me to get to a dealer from my location so before I start stripping the bike down I'd appreciate some feedback.