At ~55mph I get this howl when the bike is below ~5000rpm, especially in 5th. It sounds like it comes from up front. I was getting used to it but on the weekend I changed my front to a 16tooth sprocket.

Now it really howls at ~50ish rolling with low rpms. Is this normal??

That isn't normal, i don't notice any howling on my bike (unless it is really quiet and i just can't hear it)... I have personally had some really weird noises from a chain I forgot to oil for a long time but I only noticed the noises at low speeds.

i hear a howl from the front end at lower speeds. i figured its likely air getting sucked down the ram intake, but maybe one of these experts have a definitive answer.

Intake system howl is perfectly normal. It's the big cat purring just letting you know he is happy.

talked with the service manager where i bought my bike and he confirmed they've had a few owners asking questions. He's ridden 5 or so to investigate and there's nothing wrong that he can fix. Sounds like some guys thought it was the air intake and a few thought it was coming from the front wheel fairing.

Not worth my spending any more time on it - just wanted to make sure it wasn't something wrong... I don't go 50mph-ish very often with my bike :-)

Not sure if this is the same thing yer talkin about,but when I'm RAPIDLY runnin my baby through the canyons and such,when I slow up for a "breather",at 50,60 or so,she has a very unique and cool sound coming from the engine,kinda like she's catchin her second wind.If the temps are around 50,it'll be more noticeable.Kind of a whining,"everything's clicking just right" sound.But not really a whine.It's definitely mechanical.Probably the valves or something.It's part of what I love about my bike!!!That sound.(stock pipes)so the engine really can be heard "purrring"yes,like a contented Lion-yes,breathing.Anxious-whispering-encouraging me to let er fly-yes.Letting me know"I've got much to give you,just enjoy me and treat me right.Let me roll when I want.I'll take care of you".14's.Aint they AWESOME?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 5/16/2009 @ 2:11 PM *

I haven't noticed anything of the sort.

But the engine definitely lets you know its a beast, especially with stock or otherwise quiet pipes so you can actually listen to the engine operate.

I've ridden for 30+ years, and my 08 ZX14 is the first bike I've ever had that keeps reminding me as I ride it, at a visceral audio level, that it wants to go go go and I'm not twisting hard enough to suit it.

When I pass a long string of cars and trucks on a county road and go from 50 to 120 in a hearbeat, and the rpm climbs above 8 grand going down and then up, she's telling me how much she appreciates being let loose.

* Last updated by: privateer on 5/16/2009 @ 4:43 PM *

Run up to 55mph slowly as you take a piece of cardboard, cut half of the air intake duct and cover it with the cardboard. This whirl/howl you hear may be from the ram cage. That makes the bike have a howl you may be hearing.

So if half of that sound wave is interrupted by the cardboard deadening that sound or cause it to quiet down, it could be a possible intake and ram chamber making more sound waves than anything mechanical happening. Only way to know is half wave the bubble going in.

Hub, we've seen what you did to your bike - it is howling in pain.

WHY YOU! You!

Bad/wore out damper on stock sprocket causing the howl? New, aftermarket sprocket w/o any damper causing it to howl even louder?

That's my guess.

Hub, we've seen what you did to your bike - it is howling in pain.