[Dav101]

I have been hoping that the 6 people above that posted in this thread (over a month ago) that had a noise issue would return and share if the sound ever repeated again.

But it appears 5 of those 6 posters above have only posted once on this forum ...and that was in this thread, so I'm not holding my breath.

If any of you are still out there, does your issue remain?

I remain curious to know of an instance where this was verified by a dealer mechanic just to learn what it was identified as but can't find an example.

Luckily, with over 6700 miles on my SP, I haven't had any trouble outside of a noisy chain with a tight spot which I corrected at 3700 miles with an after market sealed chain.

Anyone?

 

[excitebike7]

I have been hoping that the 6 people above that posted in this thread (over a month ago) that had a noise issue would return and share if the sound ever repeated again.

But it appears 5 of those 6 posters above have only posted once on this forum ...and that was in this thread, so I'm not holding my breath.

If any of you are still out there, does your issue remain?

I remain curious to know of an instance where this was verified by a dealer mechanic just to learn what it was identified as but can't find an example.

Luckily, with over 6700 miles on my SP, I haven't had any trouble outside of a noisy chain with a tight spot which I corrected at 3700 miles with an after market sealed chain.

Anyone?

My noise has not come back after the first oil change. I did an extra oil change early. To try a couple things.

I don’t remember the mileage 60? 80? Something like that is when it start the noise. I did an oil change, and when I did the oil that came out was like water. As a mechanical engineer I know what oil (even hot oil) should look like, and mine looked way too thin. I changed it to 15w40 Rotella and ran it for about 500miles. Never heard any noises. I decided at 600miles to put the bike back on its Factory service schedule I would do another oil change. I changed it back to the Honda 10w30. Still doesn’t make any of the noises it did, but to be honest, the engine noises ie valves chains etc sounded better with the 15w40 Rotella in it.

 

[Velmas]

But have you ridden in 4/5 for an extended period? 😅

Yes. I ride in exclusively 4th and 5th for about 7 miles on my commute to work.

 

[Magnumatving]

I have been hoping that the 6 people above that posted in this thread (over a month ago) that had a noise issue would return and share if the sound ever repeated again.

But it appears 5 of those 6 posters above have only posted once on this forum ...and that was in this thread, so I'm not holding my breath.

If any of you are still out there, does your issue remain?

I remain curious to know of an instance where this was verified by a dealer mechanic just to learn what it was identified as but can't find an example.

Luckily, with over 6700 miles on my SP, I haven't had any trouble outside of a noisy chain with a tight spot which I corrected at 3700 miles with an after market sealed chain.

Anyone?

I honestly have not had a chance to run my Grom hard enough since the first time it happened. The weather hasn't been great here in Ohio and hunting season kept me busy.

My buddy owns the dealership that I bought it from and they noted that I let them know of this noise if and when it gets worse that it will be covered. I'm hoping to get it out again soon and see if that noise continues.

 

[Dav101]

I wonder if the noise has anything to do with the way these 2022 Groms show up at dealerships with an extremely tight chain setting?

I've encountered 3 3rd generation Groms brand new on dealer floors that presented with the chain tighter than a banjo string. I mean no wiggle room at all.

If that isn't corrected by the dealer and it gets overlooked by the owner and the bike gets ridden in that state maybe the resulting forces pull on something causing an internal binding type wear of some kind?

Could that result in a transmission bearing getting stressed and messed up?

???

 

[Dav101]

Seems like gromsquatch, I believe is his name, on YouTube has had it many times.

My 2 cents for what it's worth

I first learned of this noise issue watching a youtuber that goes by Grom X Squatch with new content on the Grom from months ago. He posted a clear video of the sound while riding and said his dealer told him to just ride it until something catastrophic happens and then they would proceed with repairs. This youtuber has been very vocal and commented all over social media about the issue yet I could never find evidence where the issue was diagnosed and fixed. It is noteworthy to mention this youtuber is on the heavy side and off roads a lot on dirt trails.

This morning I was looking at comments on a video about a chimera clip-on mount for the Grom. In that video's comments Grom X Squatch posted and passed along what this may all come down to:

"it's caused by an over tight chain and jumping or heavier riders"

I can see where poor chain calibration or a combination of these factors could be the root cause. His full comment on the video: "this is what someone said on a video yesterday... 3 people that have had full engine replacement from 1 Dealer in my area,so it's a known issue, the main bearing housing slips in the stator side caused by the gearbox shaft bearings being to thin,it's caused by an over tight chain and jumping or heavier riders,total rebuild, split cases,specialist tools,,re machine the bearing housing, but it's to thin,,,,thanks honda"

Whether the shaft bearings were changed to be thinner between model generations remains unconfirmed as well as a "full engine replacement" being really necessary to correct the issue. But I can understand where an engine replacement happens so it can be sent to Honda during the diagnosis phase.

Clearly anyone buying a 2022 model should first check chain tension and correct it if necessary before accepting delivery on the newest bike.

As I've said, every new generation Grom I've seen on show room floors had an unnaturally tight chain. Both bikes I bought were given to me in just that state. I found it laughable but at least I caught it and corrected it before riding and break-in commenced.

 

[Bandit]

I have checked chain tension on two brand new units that a friend and I purchased a week apart from the same dealer and chain tension was correct.I have 0 miles on mine and he has about 40 miles on his.I am hoping all is well with ours.

 

[Dav101]

I have checked chain tension on two brand new units that a friend and I purchased a week apart from the same dealer and chain tension was correct.I have 0 miles on mine and he has about 40 miles on his.I am hoping all is well with ours.

You have a good dealer. I think the bikes show up with a tight chain right out of the crate. I can't imagine the dealers I've been to adjust the chains this way willfully. I think they're just un-crating the bikes and putting them on the sales floor as is and then perform necessary maintenance after each gets sold. I feel this way because I was presented with 2 tight roped chained bikes from 2 different dealers and passed on an ABS model I noticed the same way.

I could be wrong about all this, again ...just my theory.

 

[Ruby]

The chain on mine had 3/4” of play when purchased. This seemed right until being told it’s supposed to be 1 3/8. So I’ve adjusted it.

 

[SlimJim]

So aftermarket chain will fix the issue?
How much do they cost?

 

[Dav101]

So aftermarket chain will fix the issue?
How much do they cost?

I wouldn't think so, a sealed chain only makes maintenance a bit easier. I replaced my original after about 3500 miles with an RK 420MRU U-RING chain from mnnthbx that works nicely with the OEM sprockets when I upgraded my chain adjusters.

You should be able to get a sealed chain for half that price from your local Honda dealer's parts department.

 

[Desmomick]

My experience was first I could not hear the noise And it only happens when the bike is hot in 4th & 5th
A friend of mine who is a mechanic heard it and said he thought it was the chain and that maybe it needed lubrication.
I did this but then I noticed I could hear the noise better if I rode closer to something that reflected the noise like a concrete barrier. Then I could hear the grinding.
I replaced the chain with good quality RK chain but the noise was still there
The noise disappears when you pull the clutch though.
I then pulled the clutch and raised the revs of the engine still no grinding noise however the engine is not under load.
I’m wondering if people haven’t heard it as it is hard to hear when you are riding the bike it is very easy for someone next to you though or if you ride close to a barrier that will reflect the noise.
Hopefully this will help people determine if they have a noisey gearbox.

 

[King Of Beers]

My 2 cents for what it's worth

I first learned of this noise issue watching a youtuber that goes by Grom X Squatch with new content on the Grom from months ago. He posted a clear video of the sound while riding and said his dealer told him to just ride it until something catastrophic happens and then they would proceed with repairs. This youtuber has been very vocal and commented all over social media about the issue yet I could never find evidence where the issue was diagnosed and fixed. It is noteworthy to mention this youtuber is on the heavy side and off roads a lot on dirt trails.

This morning I was looking at comments on a video about a chimera clip-on mount for the Grom. In that video's comments Grom X Squatch posted and passed along what this may all come down to:

"it's caused by an over tight chain and jumping or heavier riders"

I can see where poor chain calibration or a combination of these factors could be the root cause. His full comment on the video: "this is what someone said on a video yesterday... 3 people that have had full engine replacement from 1 Dealer in my area,so it's a known issue, the main bearing housing slips in the stator side caused by the gearbox shaft bearings being to thin,it's caused by an over tight chain and jumping or heavier riders,total rebuild, split cases,specialist tools,,re machine the bearing housing, but it's to thin,,,,thanks honda"

Whether the shaft bearings were changed to be thinner between model generations remains unconfirmed as well as a "full engine replacement" being really necessary to correct the issue. But I can understand where an engine replacement happens so it can be sent to Honda during the diagnosis phase.

Clearly anyone buying a 2022 model should first check chain tension and correct it if necessary before accepting delivery on the newest bike.

As I've said, every new generation Grom I've seen on show room floors had an unnaturally tight chain. Both bikes I bought were given to me in just that state. I found it laughable but at least I caught it and corrected it before riding and break-in commenced.

I have had the noise return once since the first time.

I have not ridden much as it has been winter here in Colorado. I pulled her out 2 weeks ago and rode for about 3-4 hours. The noise happened within the first 20 minutes of riding. As soon as I heard it I slowed down and downshifted and it went away. Not to return for the rest of the ride. It lasted all of about 5 seconds.

The first time it happened I was following traffic going up into the mountains. So this was possibly a little extra strain on the motor... Shouldn't have caused this issue.

The second time I was 2 up so definitely a little more strain on the motor but agian shouldn't be causing this issue.

A little reference info. I weigh in at about 165lb starkers. My daughter (passenger on 2nd incident) weighs in around 90-95lb. I do not treat my grom rough. It has been offroad once. (Too rough for the grom. It's a road bike for me. I have a KTM500EXC-F for where the pavement ends.) I have never jumped it. I don't ride wheelies on it. I'm more of a canyon carver. I beat on the suspension and tires more than anything. I will say my grom is screaming somewhere near redline for probably somewhere approaching 30% of my rides. Sometimes alot more, sometimes alot less.

As far as the chain thing. I generally perform regular maintenance on all of my bikes. The chain on my bikes are frequently checked for kinks and excessive wear. I adjust the chains per factory specification. I go as far as to adjust the throttle stops and the brake and clutch throws first thing upon bringing a new bike home. I do not trust a stealership further than I can throw the building.

I am still hopeful that a definitive issue will be found and addressed by Honda.

I still have not reported my noise to the dealership as fu*% them. I guess I should call Honda directly although I am sure they will tell me to take it to the stealer who will just keep my bike for a week, waste my time, and tell me its fine.

At this point I'm just going to continue ride it like I stole it and maintain it like I'm keeping it forever. If it breaks it breaks. I just hope the rear doesn't lock up while I'm in the mountains and I die. I guess at that point my wife could sue Honda and my family would be ok.

...

Wow, I really went somewhere with that... You all just ignore that last part.

Keep the updates coming. I will do the same. I obviously have not been checking this forum often but I do check it.

(Edit: I turned on notifications for this thread.)

 

[Yellow22]

Just commenting to say that my 22 Grom is doing this. Started around 400-500 miles. I changed the oil and at 760 miles, it's still doing it. I also tried adjusting the clutch cable a few times. No change.

It's at the dealership right now.

Any new information on this issue?

 

[King Of Beers]

Just commenting to say that my 22 Grom is doing this. Started around 400-500 miles. I changed the oil and at 760 miles, it's still doing it. I also tried adjusting the clutch cable a few times. No change.

It's at the dealership right now.

Any new information on this issue?

How often are you having the noise? At some point, with enough complaints, Honda will have to address this. Be sure to let us know what the dealer says.


Just wanted to update on my situation. I'm at 1,600 miles now. I have still only had the noise 2 times. I did install an Akrapovic full exhaust at about 1,000 miles. It is pretty loud so im not 100% that I would hear the noise over the pipe... so... there's that...

 

[Yellow22]

How often are you having the noise? At some point, with enough complaints, Honda will have to address this. Be sure to let us know what the dealer says.


Just wanted to update on my situation. I'm at 1,600 miles now. I have still only had the noise 2 times. I did install an Akrapovic full exhaust at about 1,000 miles. It is pretty loud so im not 100% that I would hear the noise over the pipe... so... there's that...

About every other ride. I've noticed - as others have - that it takes about 15 minutes of riding before it'll do it. And it usually does it while riding highways at 50mph or so.

 

[Yellow22]

My dealership just called me and said they talked to Honda and Honda told them to loosen the drive chain up almost the entire way. He said they rode it and it's quieter.

I asked him if he was aware that the sound was intermittent and only occurred sometimes, mostly after 15-20 minutes of highway speeds. He said he wasn't.

So I'm not real happy with this outcome. I don't like how they didn't listen to anything I told them when I took it in - I told them it was intermittent and tied to speed not rpms, pulling in the clutch had no effect, etc. - and I'm not too happy that they're giving me a bike back with a chain as loose as it can be and calling it good.

I'm picking up the bike tomorrow, but if this sound happens again, I'm selling the bike. I don't feel like being a part of this great experiment.

 

[King Of Beers]

Bummer. Almost what I expected. I would follow up with a call of my own to Honda NA (assuming you are in North America) and confirm the the "fix" for your issue is indeed to loosen the chain out of specification. If they say yes, I would ask them to send me an Email from a Honda email address that states specifically, "It is ok to drive my 22' Honda Grom with a chain set way out of spec as listed on all of the safety placards both on the motorcycle and in the owners manual." And I would want them to include the statement that, "loosening the chain well beyond what is considered to be in spec, by the safety stickers on the motorcycle and in the owners manual that came with the motorcycle, fixes the known squealing noise issue on the 22 Honda Grom." I would ask for some very specific wording or something very close to it.

They are not going to send you that email.

But maybe it will push the (your) problem up the ladder.

Adjusting the chain out of spec is not the fix for this issue.

WOW!!!!

🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣

It's so not funny that its funny!! How can that be the fix?!?!!?

🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣

Huh....

SMH

 

[Yellow22]

Bummer. Almost what I expected. I would follow up with a call of my own to Honda NA (assuming you are in North America) and confirm the the "fix" for your issue is indeed to loosen the chain out of specification. If they say yes, I would ask them to send me an Email from a Honda email address that states specifically, "It is ok to drive my 22' Honda Grom with a chain set way out of spec as listed on all of the safety placards both on the motorcycle and in the owners manual." And I would want them to include the statement that, "loosening the chain well beyond what is considered to be in spec, by the safety stickers on the motorcycle and in the owners manual that came with the motorcycle, fixes the known squealing noise issue on the 22 Honda Grom." I would ask for some very specific wording or something very close to it.

They are not going to send you that email.

But maybe it will push the (your) problem up the ladder.

Adjusting the chain out of spec is not the fix for this issue.

WOW!!!!

🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣

It's so not funny that its funny!! How can that be the fix?!?!!?

🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣 😂 🤣

Huh....

SMH

Yeah, he specifically said, "This is what Honda told us to do, but be careful. You'll need to keep an eye on this chain because there's no adjustment left in it."

 

[Dav101]

When you say "loosen the chain almost the entire way" I'm thinking that is supposed to mean to within the specifications for chain slack.

Sounds like what Honda wants you to do when you adjust your chain, loosen the axel nut and adjust to 1.6" slack. A little over 1 inch and a half. When you tighten your axle nut to 44 foot pounds that will tighten up the chain just a bit, but that's ok.

Now ride and have fun. Keep it adjusted this way and that's the best you can do for the issue.

I've got over 13,000 miles on the 22 model Groms and it's worked for me since day 1 so far.

Hope it works for you too.