So I have a fairly new 2008 GS500F with 2000 miles on the clock.  Recently, there has a developed a fairly noticeable rattle coming from the dashboard area.  It sounds like its coming from the speedo, tach, or key ignition areas.  The rattle only occurs at about 6-7 thousand RPM, and then goes away above that.  I can't find any loose bolts or screws anywhere, and was wondering if anybody else has had similar rattling problems.

Let's try the easiest thing first - is your keychain dangling downwards from the ignition key hole, or is it hanging upwards across the handlebar?

Above 8k rpm? You must be going pretty fast. 
Loose speedo cable? Instruments not in tight? Drop ear rings flapping in the wind? Loose fillings? Rough road that matches the resonant frequency of the bike?

I've got it too, right at 6k i'll hear it vibrate hard. If I hold the front heatlight assembly the rattling stops and I can feel it. Can't figure it out though, all the screws are tight ):

Check your headset bearings are correctly adjusted.

i had one of the nuts on the handle bar weights falloff and rattle around in handle bar when i removed handle bar weights,, Check that...... it ended up just above key area ..JUST A SUGGESTION

My fairing rattles as it's got 2 of the 3 screws missing.

Quote from: auzzie599 on November 10, 2011, 10:36:27 AM
So I have a fairly new 2008 GS500F with 2000 miles on the clock.  Recently, there has a developed a fairly noticeable rattle coming from the dashboard area.  It sounds like its coming from the speedo, tach, or key ignition areas.  The rattle only occurs at about 6-7 thousand RPM, and then goes away above that.  I can't find any loose bolts or screws anywhere, and was wondering if anybody else has had similar rattling problems.

Mine did this too. Mine seem to do it around 4200rpm without fail. Check to see if your spark plugs are tight. That is what it was for me.

Quote from: Twisted on November 12, 2011, 04:13:40 AM

Mine did this too. Mine seem to do it around 4200rpm without fail. Check to see if your spark plugs are tight. That is what it was for me.

WaitWHUT??

You had a vibe problem.. because of your *spark plugs* ? ? !!

wow.


Odd that this is right around the speed of my issues too.
As a matter of comparison, do you remember if your vibes went away with the clutch in, too?

let us have feed back on this one PHIL B im curious about  the spark plugs

Quote from: Phil B on November 12, 2011, 08:11:15 AM

Quote from: Twisted on November 12, 2011, 04:13:40 AM

Mine did this too. Mine seem to do it around 4200rpm without fail. Check to see if your spark plugs are tight. That is what it was for me.

WaitWHUT??

You had a vibe problem.. because of your *spark plugs* ? ? !!

wow.


Odd that this is right around the speed of my issues too.
As a matter of comparison, do you remember if your vibes went away with the clutch in, too?

Yes strange I know but if you don't tighten them enough the GS can vibrate them loose again. I spent months trying to find my buzzing noise. Removed the fuel tank - dash - front head light all to no avail. Eventually I checked my plugs during some routine maintenance and found one was really loose ( I could spin it with my fingers). Tightened it and buzz was gone.

It's always the smallest thing isn't it?

Quote from: twinrat on November 12, 2011, 02:29:20 PM
let us have feed back on this one PHIL B im curious about  the spark plugs

Whelp.... MY problem is not the spark plugs.
They're not loose to my fingers, anyways...

i have the same vibration problem. almost feels like a motor mount is bad and vibrating the fairing. all my screws are in and tight and i will check my spark plugs. I am going to sniff around with a mechanics stethoscope and see if i can at least pinpoint the area. I will post back if i find something specific.
T