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2005 Yamaha V Star 1100 concerns

SushiTrail888

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2025
Messages
6
I'm noticing a high pitched sound in 5th gear on my '05 Yamaha with 30000 miles. The bike rides fine otherwise but it feels like the gear could fail anytime. Any ideas on what might be causing this?
 
I found myself in a similar situation, a high-pitched whine in my 5th gear and my mileage is even shorter than yours.
It turned out a bearing went bad in the transmission. But I ignored it for a while, and the sound just got louder.
Definitely get it checked soon by a good mechanic! Putting it off can just lead to bigger, more expensive problems down the road.
 
I'm noticing a high pitched sound in 5th gear on my '05 Yamaha with 30000 miles. The bike rides fine otherwise but it feels like the gear could fail anytime. Any ideas on what might be causing this?
Gear teeth may be super worn out. For me I suggest you do close monitoring because you might need to do a teardown if the situation worsens! This is scary and quite dangerous even for me, an adrenaline junkie
 
Thanks for your suggestions! I'll start by checking the transmission bearings and keeping a close watch on the gear teeth for wear and tear. Looks like getting ahead of the issue will save me from bigger headaches down the road, so I'll look into both options right away.
 
I took the bike to a mechanic and we finally got it sorted over the weekend. The clutch plates were slipping and after replacing them, the bike runs smooth as silk again. Appreciate all the helpful advice!
 
I took the bike to a mechanic and we finally got it sorted over the weekend. The clutch plates were slipping and after replacing them, the bike runs smooth as silk again. Appreciate all the helpful advice!
That's great to hear you figured it out! Slipping clutch plates can be really hard to detect, so it must feel amazing to have everything running smoothly again.
 
Had a 650 not long ago and it did the same thing. Around 75mph - 80mph it did the whining sound even after pre-heating the engine real good. Let it happen for a good few years and no trouble ever experienced on my watch.
 
@StarryCruiser
Thanks! Yeah it was tricky tracking down the issue but now the bike feels like a dream again. The slipping clutch plates really had me 2nd guessing everything.

@flightlessdutchman
Interesting about the 650. Crazy how some bikes just live with that whine for years without a hitch. Mine felt like it was on borrowed time so I figured it was best to get ahead of it. Glad yours held up fine!
 
@StarryCruiser
Thanks! Yeah it was tricky tracking down the issue but now the bike feels like a dream again. The slipping clutch plates really had me 2nd guessing everything.

@flightlessdutchman
Interesting about the 650. Crazy how some bikes just live with that whine for years without a hitch. Mine felt like it was on borrowed time so I figured it was best to get ahead of it. Glad yours held up fine!
Yeah lol, the whining noise used to be my reminder of how fast I was going. It was useful for that. Ha ha.
 
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