Six Speed Transmission Problem

rogerbush · Nov 3rd, 2008, 08:38 PM

5th gear in the new 6 speed transmissions on (07 through 09) Harley Davidsons is a spur gear, or so I've been told, and makes a terrible whining and growling noise which adds to vibration of the bike. I'm told that Harley Davidson has know about this problem since before it's introduction and refuses to change the spur gear for a helical gear which should reduce or eliminate the noise.

I found a fix, but of course it costs nearly $1,000.00 however,I hate to put out more money to fix something that should have been fixed in the design stage of the product.

I talked to one guy online that told me he fixed the problem by putting on louder pipes. It did stop him from hearing the noise but the vibration was still there.

Has anyone talked to Harley Davidson regarding this issue?

Thanks
Roger

smitty901 · Nov 3rd, 2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerbush

5th gear in the new 6 speed transmissions on (07 through 09) Harley Davidsons is a spur gear, or so I've been told, and makes a terrible whining and growling noise which adds to vibration of the bike. I'm told that Harley Davidson has know about this problem since before it's introduction and refuses to change the spur gear for a helical gear which should reduce or eliminate the noise.

I found a fix, but of course it costs nearly $1,000.00 however,I hate to put out more money to fix something that should have been fixed in the design stage of the product.

I talked to one guy online that told me he fixed the problem by putting on louder pipes. It did stop him from hearing the noise but the vibration was still there.

Has anyone talked to Harley Davidson regarding this issue?

Thanks
Roger

I would not call it a problem as much as thats the way it is with those type of gears.
That being said the right lube in Tranmission makes all the difference in the world.
Spectro Platium SNY gear lube for 6 speeds it aboutthe best.
But REDLINE shock proof heavy or any or the quialty SNY gear lubes NOT OIL in there will make a big differnce.
Trans Oil Poll - Harley Davidson Community

USMCCWO5 · Nov 4th, 2008, 11:47 PM

Yes, there are a bunch of opinions about the noise of your transmission in 5th gear.

HD has manufactured a part called IDS. Stock on 2008s. You can retrofit your bike. Search this forum and you will see numerous comments about the IDS.

With mileage, your transmission will quiet down. And follow the advice above about using a QUALITY gear lube. Do not use a motor oil in your transmission.

Hobbit · Nov 5th, 2008, 03:14 AM

mine whined for about the 1st 600miles then once serviced did not whine again and the box on my 09 bob does not whine at all and feels more positive and no slop than my 08 did, and i ride hard using 5th as intended to stretch the bike up past 80mph before hitting 6th

Gon2far · Nov 28th, 2008, 06:54 PM

I have had a tranmission vibration in my 07 Heritage in 5th and 6th gear since I bought the bike. Brought it to the selling dealer three times. Each time they tell me there's nothing they can do. In August I brought it to another dealer demanding the factory rep ride the bike. I've been waiting four month's now for the rep to call me. I believe Harley is avoiding me and my vibration and personally I'm ready for a lawyer and maybe we'll all get new transmissions.

STEVE07 · Nov 28th, 2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gon2far

I have had a tranmission vibration in my 07 Heritage in 5th and 6th gear since I bought the bike. Brought it to the selling dealer three times. Each time they tell me there's nothing they can do. In August I brought it to another dealer demanding the factory rep ride the bike. I've been waiting four month's now for the rep to call me. I believe Harley is avoiding me and my vibration and personally I'm ready for a lawyer and maybe we'll all get new transmissions.

If you look at another thread on this issue Glider had posted a tip on vibration dampener, and if your running HD oil change to a gear oil

glider · Nov 28th, 2008, 08:08 PM

That was the IDS system and it's not available for softails, only touring bikes.

The Spectro trans oil is though.

Mavagrand · Jan 22nd, 2009, 05:29 PM

it is not a problem to me. by the way, my 08 has IDS and I still hear the whining in 5th, it just doesn't bother me, it's not that loud.

Hobbit · Jan 22nd, 2009, 06:31 PM

heres a kicker neither of my 09's suffer the noise from the gear box ????? and my heritage never suffered from vibes due to the gear box

glider · Jan 22nd, 2009, 06:39 PM

Could it have anything to do with traveling faster than the speed of sound?

Nov 3rd, 2008, 08:38 PM	#1
rogerbush New Family Ride: 2009 Softail Heritage Classic Join Date: Oct 19th, 2008 Posts: 2	Six Speed Transmission Problem 5th gear in the new 6 speed transmissions on (07 through 09) Harley Davidsons is a spur gear, or so I've been told, and makes a terrible whining and growling noise which adds to vibration of the bike. I'm told that Harley Davidson has know about this problem since before it's introduction and refuses to change the spur gear for a helical gear which should reduce or eliminate the noise. I found a fix, but of course it costs nearly $1,000.00 however,I hate to put out more money to fix something that should have been fixed in the design stage of the product. I talked to one guy online that told me he fixed the problem by putting on louder pipes. It did stop him from hearing the noise but the vibration was still there. Has anyone talked to Harley Davidson regarding this issue? Thanks Roger

Nov 4th, 2008, 11:47 PM	#3
USMCCWO5 Contributor$ Ride: 2007 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 5th, 2008 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 451 My Mood:	Re: Six Speed Transmission Problem Yes, there are a bunch of opinions about the noise of your transmission in 5th gear. HD has manufactured a part called IDS. Stock on 2008s. You can retrofit your bike. Search this forum and you will see numerous comments about the IDS. With mileage, your transmission will quiet down. And follow the advice above about using a QUALITY gear lube. Do not use a motor oil in your transmission. __________________ Semper Fidelis, James

Nov 5th, 2008, 03:14 AM	#4
Hobbit Moderators Ride: 2009 FAST 103 Street Bob Join Date: May 18th, 2007 Location: The Shires UK Posts: 7,625 My Mood:	Re: Six Speed Transmission Problem mine whined for about the 1st 600miles then once serviced did not whine again and the box on my 09 bob does not whine at all and feels more positive and no slop than my 08 did, and i ride hard using 5th as intended to stretch the bike up past 80mph before hitting 6th __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Nov 28th, 2008, 06:54 PM	#5
Gon2far Start The Engine Ride: 2007 Heritage Classic Join Date: Jun 15th, 2008 Location: Lutz, FL Posts: 10	Re: Six Speed Transmission Problem I have had a tranmission vibration in my 07 Heritage in 5th and 6th gear since I bought the bike. Brought it to the selling dealer three times. Each time they tell me there's nothing they can do. In August I brought it to another dealer demanding the factory rep ride the bike. I've been waiting four month's now for the rep to call me. I believe Harley is avoiding me and my vibration and personally I'm ready for a lawyer and maybe we'll all get new transmissions.

Nov 28th, 2008, 08:08 PM	#7
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,467 My Mood:	Re: Six Speed Transmission Problem That was the IDS system and it's not available for softails, only touring bikes. The Spectro trans oil is though. __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Jan 22nd, 2009, 05:29 PM	#8
Mavagrand Play The Throttle Ride: 2008 Electra Glide Classic Join Date: Aug 19th, 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 284 My Mood:	Re: Six Speed Transmission Problem it is not a problem to me. by the way, my 08 has IDS and I still hear the whining in 5th, it just doesn't bother me, it's not that loud.

Jan 22nd, 2009, 06:31 PM	#9
Hobbit Moderators Ride: 2009 FAST 103 Street Bob Join Date: May 18th, 2007 Location: The Shires UK Posts: 7,625 My Mood:	Re: Six Speed Transmission Problem heres a kicker neither of my 09's suffer the noise from the gear box ????? and my heritage never suffered from vibes due to the gear box __________________ Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Jan 22nd, 2009, 06:39 PM	#10
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,467 My Mood:	Re: Six Speed Transmission Problem Could it have anything to do with traveling faster than the speed of sound? __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

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