So when I get into 5th with my New 2015 ZX-14r the pitch is much higher than the other gears with no change in performance. Anyone else notice this??

I hadn't noticed this, maybe my pipe drowns it out? I'll test it out tonight on my way home from work.

Do you have the stock exhaust still on?

Thanks. 100 miles, all stock. Appreciate it.

* Last updated by: ninja22 on 7/8/2016 @ 6:51 AM *

You mean the sound of the engine pitch? The tone? You shift up and the pitch rises? This would mean the rpm is rising from shifting UP. Cannot be. Shift at small throttle opening at 4k rpm or so. Does the tach indicate that the rpm INCREASES when you shift into 5th from 4th? This does not seem possible. I am pretty unfamiliar with how the gearbox is arranged but I doubt there could be any chance a couple gears were accidentally transposed at the factory. The bike would also shift into 5th kind of rough if this was even a possibility. I have noticed at high rpm shifting fast that some gears sound almost identical to the previous. This is just close ratio gearbox. Might not seem like a big change in speed but that is the whole idea---the rpm stays right in the power band.

* Last updated by: Rook on 7/8/2016 @ 7:25 AM *

So if I understand correctly, from a performance standpoint everything feels normal, but in 5th you are hearing a whine from the engine that sounds higher than the other gears?

#1. Put bike on kickstand and check chain slack. Pick a spot on the chain then pick a spot on the tape measure. Push the chain up then down and the total wingspan of movement should be at least 1". 1 to 1.2 is the range. Do this where you can find the most movement in the chain between the two sprockets. If chain it too tight you will have an issue as you describe.

#2. Check rear wheel alignment. Check the marks on the frame and the axle shaft mark for the rear wheel. Make sure both sides are hitting the same mark on both sides. Also stand behind the bike and look at the chain. Does it look generally straight or can you see a visual kink in it?

#3. Ride at least 500 miles and report back. If it gets worse, take to dealer. If it stays the same, repeat 1 and 2, then consider taking to dealer. If it gets better then mod the heck out of it, get a loud ass exhaust where you will never hear anything other than exhaust until the oil pan falls off or a piston flys up between your legs, and try to stay rubber side down! Its a Kawi, you aint going to break it and if you do they will fix it.

* Last updated by: darkarcher on 7/8/2016 @ 7:40 AM *

Archer: Thanks. Great answer. Will do and get with the dealer.

Rook: No change in RPMs but the expected drop with upshifting. Power
is right there but the sound is not the RPMs I don't think. I think the chain
or gearing like Archer is saying.

Will ride a little more and see if it is just newness or my paranoia.

Thx!

I didn't notice any difference in pitch when shifting into 5th that I could notice ninja22. My M10 Muzzy may be drowning out the sound.

Mine has done this since brand new. 5th gear has a different sound than the rest.

Mine has done this since brand new. 5th gear has a different sound than the rest

Now is this hard on the gas or just steady moderate throttle?

I hear more and less gear whine depending on the gear I'm in. IME having had quite a few manuals gear whine and pitch usually changes gear to gear although generally the pitch remains the same for each gear.

Keep in mind too if you wear a helmet riding it can alter the sounds you hear. Some sounds are muffled, others get exaggerated, that sort of thing.

Steady moderate throttle. It has gotten alot more quiet with miles though. I'm at almost 11k miles now and it's barely noticeable at this point.

* Last updated by: Nastynotch on 7/9/2016 @ 3:50 AM *

OK Nasty, I'm @ 13k so maybe it's not noticeable to me either

Thanks to all.

Nasty Thanks I appreciate that.

ZXhoya, any sort os acceleration, thanks!

Wet your finger, find a wine glass and run your finger around it. Grab another [different contour] wine glass, repeat the pitch of the change in note. Also, I'm trying to remember if I've seen heat treated gears shaded a different color than some other gears. Those mesh, or say none are treated, I'm back to whine noise off wine glass gears sorta [sound] speak.

* Last updated by: Hub on 7/12/2016 @ 10:23 AM *