A 1997 Honda 300 4x4 with only 2000 km seems to be pinging when hard on the throttle. The bike is in excellent shape and has lots of power and runs like new but makes (Ithink) a pinging noise.This is the fourth 300 i've owned and they all made this noise, but this one is like new and was wondering if it hurts anything. It only happens under hard throttle. Its not that loud(if someone else got on it they might not even notice it).The question-Does it hurt anything and what should i do?

 

As to whether or not it hurts anything, I don't know. Mine made the same noise. As well as a friend of mine did. I would say this is normal. Changing to a higher octane might help but it didn't help mine.

 

Cmon fellas help out!

 

Have you checked your timeing if its to far advanced it will ping.

 

Yup check the timing. Mine did the same thing so I wasted $800 at my nearest dealer trying to find out what it was. Then I traded it in at another dealer telling him the problem. 2 weeks later had to go pick some tires up and the mechanic told me that it was a pin of some sorts in the timing gear that was broke. Cost to fix $2 for part $60 for labour. I was really teed when I heard this thats why I do most of the work on my quad. People get taken for a ride by most dealers that I see. Buyer beware.

 

On my neigbors it was just the valve clerance and it wa easily fixable also Where did you get your name idea.

 

I have had 3 of the same quads and all made the same noise you describe. It is not pinging (detonation) or using higher octane would stop it.
It did seem to be related to heat or maybe extended high RPM riding though.
I never did find what it actually was, but I had well over 10,000 miles on my 1988 model when I sold it (to a friend) and it has yet to have a cylinder or piston problem.
My advice is to you is to just keep on riding it and treat it as normal. Sounds like many others have had the same experience so it must not be a problem.

 

yeah, herd it on a friends 300 also, same noise as my old ATC200M made, made the noise for the 5 years i owned it without a problem. only makes the noise 3/4 to full throttle in mid range up to top end, To me it sounds like the camshaft berring on the head allowing the camshaft to rattel a few thousands of a inch.