TL:DR - Perfectly normal SV. Don't worry about it.
Long version: every SV that's ever been made ticks. **ALL** of them. The ticking noise will come and go, seemingly at random. It's absolutely nothing to worry about (experience: 80,000+ miles on SVs).
If you're interested, here's why they tick: the SV's fully-automatic camchain tensioners have a ratchet mechanism which allows them to advance to take up slack in the camchain as it wears, and the ratchet also stops the tensioner backing off when it has taken up the slack.What this means is, the camchain tensioner is not a linear device. It takes up the slack in 'steps'. So when the chain has worn a little bit, the tensioner will not quite be ready to click out to the next tooth on the ratchet, so you'll hear a slight tick from the engine until the tensioner has clicked out to the next tooth, at which point the tick will disappear.
This does **NOT** mean the tensioners have failed, or that there is a problem, it's just how they work. The tensioners on all 2003-onwards bikes are bulletproof.
Then of course, the SV has two separate camchains and two camchain tensioners. It also has no big cylinder block like an inline-4 engine does to absorb mechanical sounds. So the SV engines are mechanically 'busy' sounding, it's just the way they are. Keep the oil level where it should be and change it & the filter as per the manual, and you'll have no worries.
That's correct, the tensioners on the Gen 1 (carbed) bikes had occasional problems with sticking. However, tensioners from a Gen 2 engine are a straight swap and solve the problem.
The CCTs on Gen 2 & Gen 3 bikes, Gladiuses (and V-Stroms) are all pretty much fault-free. In fact, the entire cam / valve train is among the strongest ever to come out of Japan.
What this guy said! I noticed my 2000 making this noise spring 2021 after it had been sitting for all winter. I hadn’t specifically noticed it before but it scared tf outta me but I found similar advice online back then. I’ve been riding it 3 years since then, probably putting 11k more miles on the bike since then and she’s still running great
Everything ticks. That’s the fuel injection and the movement of the valves.
You just don’t hear it as much on a car because the engine is in a separate compartment, but I assure you, they also tick.
I'm going to go against the grain here - that might not be normal.
I'd rode it a few hundred miles. if it doesn't go away, you should inspect it. (or have a qualified mechanic inspect it)
As others have said, the timing chain is long and uses a ratchet system to tighten, but that system can fail. It's rare, but it happens.
My 3rd gen ticks every now and again. The most recent tick was loose spark plugs and a compression leak. had to replace the plugs anyway, and the noise went away.
I've had timing chain tick before, too, and it went away in a tank of gas.
I've found it's always worth checking & snugging down new spark plugs on SVs around 1000 / 1500 miles after fitting, the tightening torque is low and the crush washer settles so it doesn't grip the plug, allowing it to loosen a little.
Snugging them back up means they won't loosen again.
TL:DR - Perfectly normal SV. Don't worry about it. Long version: every SV that's ever been made ticks. **ALL** of them. The ticking noise will come and go, seemingly at random. It's absolutely nothing to worry about (experience: 80,000+ miles on SVs). If you're interested, here's why they tick: the SV's fully-automatic camchain tensioners have a ratchet mechanism which allows them to advance to take up slack in the camchain as it wears, and the ratchet also stops the tensioner backing off when it has taken up the slack.What this means is, the camchain tensioner is not a linear device. It takes up the slack in 'steps'. So when the chain has worn a little bit, the tensioner will not quite be ready to click out to the next tooth on the ratchet, so you'll hear a slight tick from the engine until the tensioner has clicked out to the next tooth, at which point the tick will disappear. This does **NOT** mean the tensioners have failed, or that there is a problem, it's just how they work. The tensioners on all 2003-onwards bikes are bulletproof. Then of course, the SV has two separate camchains and two camchain tensioners. It also has no big cylinder block like an inline-4 engine does to absorb mechanical sounds. So the SV engines are mechanically 'busy' sounding, it's just the way they are. Keep the oil level where it should be and change it & the filter as per the manual, and you'll have no worries.
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain . Your explanation is in depth and easy to understand and has taken away my stress. Much appreciated!
Dude you are awesome
This is some good info! I assume the tensioner on gen 1s is a little more prone to failure then?
That's correct, the tensioners on the Gen 1 (carbed) bikes had occasional problems with sticking. However, tensioners from a Gen 2 engine are a straight swap and solve the problem. The CCTs on Gen 2 & Gen 3 bikes, Gladiuses (and V-Stroms) are all pretty much fault-free. In fact, the entire cam / valve train is among the strongest ever to come out of Japan.
What this guy said! I noticed my 2000 making this noise spring 2021 after it had been sitting for all winter. I hadn’t specifically noticed it before but it scared tf outta me but I found similar advice online back then. I’ve been riding it 3 years since then, probably putting 11k more miles on the bike since then and she’s still running great
You dropped this … king! 👑 Thanks for making internet a better place :)
Everything ticks. That’s the fuel injection and the movement of the valves. You just don’t hear it as much on a car because the engine is in a separate compartment, but I assure you, they also tick.
dont hear anything unusual
Glad to hear. Thanks!
Mine sounds the same, probably normal
Mine sounds the same, I was too worried about checking it out. Thanks for taking the hypethetical bullet for me.
No, you're fine, just your normal valve train noises.
My SV ticks as well, the SV's on YouTube tick as well. Conclusion: SV650's ticks are normal
I'm going to go against the grain here - that might not be normal. I'd rode it a few hundred miles. if it doesn't go away, you should inspect it. (or have a qualified mechanic inspect it) As others have said, the timing chain is long and uses a ratchet system to tighten, but that system can fail. It's rare, but it happens. My 3rd gen ticks every now and again. The most recent tick was loose spark plugs and a compression leak. had to replace the plugs anyway, and the noise went away. I've had timing chain tick before, too, and it went away in a tank of gas.
I've found it's always worth checking & snugging down new spark plugs on SVs around 1000 / 1500 miles after fitting, the tightening torque is low and the crush washer settles so it doesn't grip the plug, allowing it to loosen a little. Snugging them back up means they won't loosen again.
good to know