Slight grinding noise in turn- rear end , slow speed

[Butchransom]

In turns at slow speed, right or left, I notice a slight grinding noise. It stops when I roll out.
Kind of sound like worn brake pads would make but it does it regardless of brakes being applied or not. Brake pads are still good. No play in rear wheel. Any Ideas?
Kind of new to bike...could it be normal?

[AndyRR]

Unless you are hearing the tire grinding some loose gravel, this sound is NOT normal. You've checked for wobble in all directions? What happens when you spin the rear tire while the bike is on the center stand? If everything else seems fine, drain the oil from the rear. Hopefully you won't find any chunks of metal on the drain plug.

When you get a chance, update your profile so we know where you are. Someone might be nearby that could take a peek.

[R1150Rclean]

In turns at slow speed, right or left, I notice a slight grinding noise. It stops when I roll out.

I can feel a slight grinding that is due to the edges of the tire making more vibration than the center of the tire (someone here made that suggestion and it was correct-thanks). I only notice it in slow (10-15 mph) leaned turns. Checked the final drive and the rear wheel play and they were good. Are you sure you can hear it, versus jut feel it? Of course I always wear 32 NRR ear plugs which may prevent me from hearing it.

[cswett]

I've recently noticed a very slight grinding/vibration (can barely feel it but not hear it) in slow left turns - it stops when I straighten out. I am really hoping it's my imagination. I have a 2004 1150R with less than 14,000 miles.
I, too, will check rear-wheel play.

[Butchransom]

Thanks for all your input. I took it to dealership here in Greensboro, NC...Nice guys. We checked wheel play and there was none at all. The final drive oil was full and had been replace at 24k which was 4k miles ago.
The tech took the black boot-like cover loose and maybe 5 drops of oil came out, he suggested eventually that the pinion seal would need to be replaced but did not think that had anything to do with current issue. Then he took it out for a ride.
His opinion was it could be the tire and not to worry about it. Saying that to tear into it now to find noise would probably be just as expensive as when/if the final drive goes.

So, I going to just ride

[wncbmw]

I am glad it turned out to be nothing. FYI, for future reference: I had the dreaded final drive bearing issue, also first noticed by noise and a 'funny feel' on left turns only. Maybe right turns, I forget. Anyway, I checked for play and had some. Still made it home from the trip and checked the final drive oil which was a soup of fine metal particles.

The point of this post is not to frighten anyone or perpetuate the Final Drive Failure mythology but to say in the long run, catching it in time meant only replacing the final drive bearing itself, not the entire drive. Much less expensive repair!

Like cancer, early detection and vigilance can greatly improve the outcome!

[Butchransom]

That is good advice. I had planned on draining the final drive oil and checking this week. I know the drain plug is magnetic. Should it be completely void of metal particles? or is a little acceptable? Do you guys always use torque wrenches to reinstall drain plugs?
Thanks for your advice.

[Sunbeemer]

Welcome to R1150R.org. You will find the help you need to make your bike more enjoyable to own here. Excellent folks!

How much hair you find on your magnetic drain plug varies based on how many miles on the bike (lower mileage bikes will have more) but you shouldn't see anything shiny and no flakes, just a black oily powder, and with 14K on your clock, not a lot of it (but it'll look like more than it really is).

And yes, I use a torque wrench because I have am ham-handed and aluminum is a soft metal

I also hear and feel vibration from old scalloped tires. Doesn't necessarily mean they are worn out, just worn...

[MIXR]

The feathering on a rear tyre may also give you some noise. Check the pressure. If it's ok (I liked 42 psi at the rear under all conditions), then just try it at a higher pressure (like 48 psi) and see if the noises change or go away. Ditch the bags if fitted to lighten the load as well. The increased pressure and lighter load will alter the rounded profile of the tyre and will allow the feathering to change pitch, if that's the source. Mine used to 'grumble' with an older tyre that was well-used due to feathered edges. Scared me for a while as I thought it was bearings, but a new tyre made all the noises go away. It was common with the Avon Azaro and also with my PR2s.

Cheers, Mick.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Thanks for all your input. I took it to dealership here in Greensboro, NC...Nice guys. We checked wheel play and there was none at all. The final drive oil was full and had been replace at 24k which was 4k miles ago.
The tech took the black boot-like cover loose and maybe 5 drops of oil came out, he suggested eventually that the pinion seal would need to be replaced but did not think that had anything to do with current issue. Then he took it out for a ride.
His opinion was it could be the tire and not to worry about it. Saying that to tear into it now to find noise would probably be just as expensive as when/if the final drive goes.

So, I going to just ride

so, did you change the oil in the FD? That is very easy to do and cheap and is not tearing into it. Change it yourself. You can filter it through any thin cloth to look for pieces of metal. If it's positive, you have your diagnosis and you can deal with it on your own time; if negative you can have at least temporary peace of mind. If it is your final drive, and you are ignoring the symptom, make sure you have some sort of towing insurance, a cell phone, a "good" friend, and time. You will need all of those things. Less than 10 bucks and about half hour, I'd think. A blown final drive may stop you cold, I'd think.
just sayin...
John