Hi everyone,
I apologize in advance for what may sound like a stupid question...but I've never heard another GS500, new or old, or even seen another one except for the new ones at the showroom which I haven't heard run.
My question...should my engine sound nasty, approximately like a lawnmower? The only reason this is of concern is because the Rebel I used in class sounded better, and the 600's my buddies ride definitely sound better.
As well, yesterday in idle and throttling, the engine started giving out a distinctive "putting" sound...
Any of this sound familiar to you all?

- Blair

Hard to tell without hearing your GS but my DL650 sounds like an eggbeater at times.  The 600 bikes might be water cooled so the sound might be more muffled.  The GS is air cooled and you hear a lot more mechanical noises.  Don't run the GS below 4,000 rpm to make sure you are not lugging it.

We just picked up my "new to me" '93 GS last night and I thought the sound was sort of a cross between a lawn mower and a chain saw, depending on RPM. It's definitely more gutteral than hubby's 919 (inline 4 cylinder), which sounds more like a sewing machine at idle and an angry bee at high RPMS.  

I drove the GS around the parking lots in my town for awhile last night and when I lugged it (too high a gear, too low a speed) it sounded just like my neighbors antique farm tractor :lol: . Sort of a gruff "chuff chuff chuff" sound.  It made it very clear to me that it didn't like what I was doing :lol: .  

Liz

Quote from: LizardQueenit sounded just like my neighbors antique farm tractor :lol: . Sort of a gruff "chuff chuff chuff" sound.  It made it very clear to me that it didn't like what I was doing :lol: .  

Liz

Now that is a good description.

My GS sounds like a riding lawnmower at idle. well, it's got like what? 38 horsepower?

My Granpa's John Deere riding lawnmower has 35. so well.... I guess it makes sense.

Of couse my Honda VTR 250 sounded way more like a riding lawnmower than my GS does, seeng as how any decent Brigg& Straton engine makes more power than just about any stock 250 cc 4 cycle.
Beat's my old 50cc moped.   can you say "weedeater"

personally I think they sound pretty neat once you get past about 5-6 grand and pullin' hard. But then I am abby normal. Love that little bike, forum's ok sometimes.

C.......

They're twins, with two cylinders instead of four. They'll never sound like a four. Probably more like a bee with one wing. What would that sound like?    Somebody try it at home and let us know.

Quote from: cernunospersonally I think they sound pretty neat once you get past about 5-6 grand and pullin' hard.

Yep.  Buzzy, but cool.

Quote from: Ed_in_AzProbably more like a bee with one wing. What would that sound like?  

Like one hand clapping?

Quote from: RoadstergalLike one hand clapping?

That would be a GS that's too low on gas. :lol:

The bikes at the safety course I took sounded like sewing machines if that makes you feel any better about riding a lawnmower-chainsaw...  :dunno:

Ah, what is the sound of one wing flapping? :lol:

Personally, I like the chugga chugga of the GSs twin -  it's "friendly" . I'm real new to riding and if it sounded like DHs big four it would scare the crap out of me. I'm not ready for a bike like his yet.  

A friend of mine has a 250 Ninja - to me, that one sounds like a string trimmer.  

Liz

thanks everyone, I'm feeling better about my two-wheeled Lawn Boy now. If I ever meet up with any of you Montgomery County riders, I'll have my basis for comparison and put it to rest!

Air-cooled motors are always gonna be noiser than the usual water-jacketed jobs for obvious reasons.  Air cooled lumps also have cooling fins which will 'ring' when the motor is running and add to the racket.

Don't worry too much about interpreting the different sounds.  Once you've had a big end go on you or had your top end commit hari-kiri, the characteristic sounds they make will be burned in your memory forever!