quick question guys... i've only had my bike for a year and got caught in some rain the other day... while riding i noticed some light smoke coming from directly under the tank... a few days later i took the bike out to wash and when starting the bike i noticed a slight grinding noise coming from the engine... what is strange is that when i grab the clutch the noise disappears but returns whenever i let go of the clutch... there is still some heat coming from under the tank and turns into steam when bike is wet... i've never noticed these things before... is this something i should be concerned about?... and is there something i should do to check and make sure nothing is wrong?... thanks for any insight yall can provide

 

Did you wash your bike when it was hot?

 

likely the steam is just coming of the engine when it was wet and it was hot...when i ride in heavier rain, i see that too...as for the grinding, that isn't typically with rain riding...

 

I believe that noise you are hearing is just the clutch chatter....that should be normal for the bike....I hope (mine does that also!).

 

Its actually the clutch basket making the noise, NORMAL, you have just honed in on the noise cause your paranoid something is wrong with bike. Steam from the motor when wet weather riding is usual as well.

 

I've got this on my 99 600F4 aswell...It only rattles when you release the clutch. I'm thinking if it might be the clutch release bearing that is worn out and causing the sound?[/align]The same thing use to happen to cars when this gets worn out.[/align]