Freakish whistling sound from front of 09 KLX250 1700 miles.
 

I just picked up a used 09 KLX250 last weekend and yesterday took it for the first ride, I put 60 miles on it.

The bike has 1700 miles on it and is very lightly used, there is no indication of excessive abuse or hard off road use.

So I noticed almost immediately that as I slowed down at the first stop sign there was a very annoying whistle sound that I thought would die when the wind stopped... but no. It kept going until the bike was almost at a dead stop. I played with the front brakes thinking it was a break issue, some sort of break squeal... but that had no effect.

The only thing I can imagine after this sound being there the entire time, is that maybe the front wheel bearings are dry and making a valiant death call before self destructing?

Any ideas or should I start tearing parts off the thing and begin lathering it up with grease?

Don't tear anything apart yet, let me take it for a spin.

Jack the bike up and spin stuff, work the brakes, anything else you can think of. It seems most of the fastners on the bike from stock are over torqued so maybe just check some things.

probably the speedo connection to the wheel. spray some dry lube in there and it should stop it.

From time to time I get a whine on the front end, best I've been able to tell it's coming from the area of the speedo sensor. I took the front axle out, cleaned everything, and lubed the works with heavy silicone grease. Thate stopped it for a while, but it still comes back occasionaly.

I'm off Saturday, I'll play with it then and see if I can put the thing on a jack and spin it and make the sound. Maybe I'll spray some pen oil at it and see if it goes away, and if so I'll do like Sanpedro and tear it apart and clean/grease the whole mess.

Make sure the gas cap is venting properly, sounds like aire is screaming to get out. :)

+1. My guess is the speedo drive. It happens to mine every so often, too. Disconnect it, lube it up, reconnect, and it should be good to go.

@larry0071 Did you ever figure out what was making that noise? I'm having the same exact issue.

Mine does it too. Usually after I've been riding awhile. You can only hear it at low speeds. Last time I had the front wheel off, I lubed it all up and it went away. 2000 miles later it came back. I doesn't make the noise when I'm looking for it, only when I'm riding. Glad to see I'm not alone.