[HJB]

The gearbox of my Icon is relatively noisy when doing a coastdown.
It's a howling noise and sounds as if the gears were 'straight-cut'. (like an older car in reverse gear)
Is this normal? - Is this even typical? - Or may I have an Issue with my bike(currently 600km).
Did someone make the same experience?

 

[HJB]

I just learned by talking to a colleague that the gears of a sporty motorbike like all other motorsports use straight cut gears.
Then the noise is logical consequence. Well, - then it's like it is.
In some situations I hear more of gearbox then from the engine.

 

[AnotherHobby]

Yes, the Scrambler does indeed have straight cut gears.

 

[Asiaoildude]

I think it's normal... esp on engine braking.

 

[TuttoFumo]

Yes, it's normal. Especially because you're still breaking it in. But the straight cut gears are always noisy. Had it in my old Monster 900 too.

 

[silverluxe]

I wonder if the straight cut gears also explains the oil looking like shampoo with glitter in it

Is the sound we're talking about the turbine engine sort of whine you get on deceleration? If so, that's what makes the bike COOL.

 

[HJB]

Yes, it sounds a little bit like that!
You can hear it very clear in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmJH84FnQa8
or serch for: "straight cut gears"

 

[eisfeld]

It's normal for the Scrambler and maybe other Ducatis but my Hondas never had that sound, at least not anywhere as noticable. I think it sounds terrible. I would love to get rid of it.

Ducati never was known for good gearboxes so maybe this is somehow connected?

 

[Don_D]

I rode a Guzzi V11 Sport that had them as well and over time they quieted down a bit with wear. I personally don't mind the sound and find it reassuring that everything is working as designed. I have read that straight cut gears are stronger than helical cut gears in addition to being cheaper to produce.

 

[HJB]

The reason straight cut gears are used in motorsports is the better performance to weight ratio, because they do not have to handle with axial forces at the shafts.
Now again a balance of interests: comfort against weight!
For me the gearbox noise and the tricky throttle handling at low rpm and little open throttle are the only annoying Issues of my bike.
(I sometimes use my index finger tipping at the front brake lever to avoid unintentional changes at throttle position at bumpy roads.)

 

[Meancatdaddy]

ooh!! I dont think my bike sounds like that.

 

[silverluxe]

My bike definitely has the straight cut gear sound on deceleration but I love it. It's part of what makes the bike NOT a Honda. If I wanted a Honda I would have saved thousands of dollars and got a Honda, haha.

 

[PeteI]

Yes, it sounds a little bit like that!
You can hear it very clear in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmJH84FnQa8
or serch for: "straight cut gears"

WOW and OUCH! What in the sam hill was that??? Time for some lube. and

 

[silverluxe]

That's the sound of music to your ears if you know what you're listening to

I'm glad the Ducati has a little bit of that going on.

 

[HJB]

Ok! I got it:
It's not a bug, it's a feature! ;-)

Well, I think I have to find out, if my gearbox is louder than yours.

You know, I really love the Ducati Engine Sound! - And I'm simply interestet to hear more of it.
The noise of straight cut gearboxes is allways the same whatever motorsport equipment you have.
But, a Ducati V2 Engine...

 

[eisfeld]

My bike definitely has the straight cut gear sound on deceleration but I love it. It's part of what makes the bike NOT a Honda. If I wanted a Honda I would have saved thousands of dollars and got a Honda, haha.

I liked your review posts but this argument is obvious nonsense.

That I prefer the quietness of the gearbox of a Honda (or most other bikes) doesn't mean I would pick a Honda over the Scrambler. It's just one piece of a big puzzle. I would argue that most people don't think the clear cut gearbox sound is something nice or music to their ears. It's an annoying whistle.
Ducati doesn't have the best gearboxes, that's a pretty widely known fact.

If I tell you my Honda has a better seat than the Ducati, would you be proud to have a shitty seat because that makes it not a Honda?

Now the engine/exhaust sound itself is awesome, that's something most people can agree upon.

 

[HJB]

He guys, can we agree that this special sound is also a matter of tast!
For me, I like it! but I didn't expect it to be that dominant. That's the whole story.

Monday in a week I'm going to have 1st service for the bike. we will see.

 

[HJB]

I have more Info. I just talked to the Head of our NVH/Drivtrain department (automotive)
He said that most bikes have staight cut gears. Only BMW has helical gears and some others like HD have high coverage teeth. So more teeth in contact leading to less noise.

 

[eisfeld]

Right I was probably a bit too aggressive in my earlier post. I can understand that some people might like this kind of sound. Matter of taste like you said.

BTW if someone wants to learn more about straight cut vs helical gearboxes, this post is helpful to know the pros and cons: Straight cut gears vs helical | Automotive Thinker - Discussing the finer points of automobiles

Basically helical cut gears are smoother, stronger and have a longer lifetime but are heavier and produce axial thrust. Straight cut gears like in many Ducatis are lighter, cheaper and lose less power but are noisy.

 

[silverluxe]

I'm just saying it's what makes it sound like a Ducati.

At the 1:04-1:11 time frame in this video where he lets off of the gas, you hear the same gear whine that my bike has.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrVSbrlmbpQ

The whine is not as loud as the AWD race car