Bought a 2004 Daytona 955, but is it supposed to sound like this?

Hi, first post here looking for some advice.

I've just this week bought a 2004 955i SS (18,000 miles), what a stunning bike and despite being my first bike in 14 years it's remarkably easy to ride.

Only trouble is the noise coming from the engine and gearbox, I'm just not sure if it's normal or not.

I wouldn't say it's loud but there is definitely a low rumble, sounds like it might be from the gear box. Pretty hard to explain really. Doesn't seem to be one noise either, can be different depending what you're doing.

I suppose my question is, "Is this normal for a bike of this age, am I just being fussy? Or have I bought a knackered bike?". I appreciate this is a hard question to answer over the Internet, but would like to hear people's thoughts and suggestions.

 

Thanks Dougie, will do. I'll get the GoPro out tommrow as it's really only bad when riding.

 

I appreciate this isn't a great first contribution on my part. As I never did get round to trying to record the noise.

However after looking into it I've improved things. The noise was more of a wuring from the gearbox side, rather than the engine side.

First thing I did was change the oil. The bike had only covered 200 or so miles in the last 6 years and the last oil change was 6 years ago. So an oil change was long overdue.

I also noticed the chain was too tight. I read on another forum there should be 35-40mm of play in the middle of the chain, there was approx 20mm! So I adjusted that, which was very easy to do.

A definite improvement and seems to be good now. Although certainly not one of the quietest bikes I've ridden, but guess that's part of their character.

 

Thanks Dave.

The rest of the big feels fantastic, the brakes, suspension and steering are super smooth and solid. I'm sure just becuase they "feel" okay it's no guarantee they are, but gives me confidence.

I actually bought the bike from a dealer so I did have some confidence that the basics would have been checked and carried out.

It's possible they changed the oil before selling me the bike, but they certainly didn't change the filter as that was very old, for this reason I doubt they changed the oil either.

I think over the next few weeks I shall be learning how to change the various fluids: engine coolant and brake fluid.

Brakes look good and signs of coperslip, so I imagine they've been looked at, pads have plenty of wear left.

 

Thanks Shamus13.

Sadly none of this is important any more as my bike was stolen last week.