By Falcohell on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 03:10 am:

I picked up my new Falco about 3 weeks ago. Since that time, I have noticed that the clutch is quite noisy. If I click into neutral and let the clutch out there is a "thump"..."thump"..."thump" noise, which reduces if I pull in the clutch. The local dealer (here in Canberra Australia) advised me to let the bike run in further which is probably fair enough (I've done about 1100kms).

However the noise seems to be getting louder as if something is warped/out of balance. The bike runs fine - just the noise when the lever is let out in neutral.

Has anyone else had this problem ? I have read many issues on this site about clutch problems, but havent seen this one mentioned. Certainly the Falco I test rode prior to purchase has no such noise/clutch issue - but had done about 3000kms.

Should I be concerned ?

Ian  

By Scotty on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 03:52 am:

Yes you should be concerned!!

This is NOT normal... get them to look at it... this has nothing to do with running in....  

By Tbone on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 06:39 am:

I'm not sure what you mean by the "thump..." noise you mention but all Falco have noisy clutches. The rotax/aprilia design is simply noisy when bike is in neutral and clutch is engaged. Compared though to a 996 it's relatively quite. Tip(s): make sure clutch is getting oil, make sure clutch lever is engaging/disengaging properly, put on open silencers to kill off all obnoxious engine noise.
2cents.
tbone  

By Racerxlilbro on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 07:09 am:

You need an AIRKIT! The induction noise will cover any clutch noise! LOL!

J/K, It doesn't sound quite right. I'd have it looked at...sometimes, my gearbox clatters a bit in Neutral with the clutch out, but I don't think it's like what you've described. 

By Edzo on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 08:36 am:

noise is not normal. a silent pulsing feel in the lever is normal, but noise is NOT


stop riding the bike

bring it back

and have them fix it or get a new bike !


Falco is a noisy bike but only the engione mechanical clatter, not any pulsing or thumping. something is wrong or disconnected somewhere  

By R100gs on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 09:22 am:

If the noise is only heard while the bike is in neutral with the clutch engaged, then it's your transmission gears free spinning. They all do that, especially when warm. You still might get it checked out just in case.  

By Prilliant on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 01:02 pm:

Mine has rattled a bit throughout its 20,000 miles when in neutral with the lever out. The noise disappears when the clutch is disengaged. Still on the original clutch with just regular fluid and oil changes. Hopefully your problem is nothing to worry about.  

By Falcohell on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 12:24 am:

Thanks for all of the advice. Sounds like there is an issue with the bike (just my luck !).

It is back with the Dealer on Friday for its first service and I will ask them again to check it over.

Ian