Ticking noise is normal...I heard it on a Z1000 test ride the other day...Heard the same thing but louder on the ZX14...Someone mentioned sound differences when the clutch is out...That's the clutch basket..It's even louder on the ZX14 as well and many other bikes do that...It's always possible something is wrong but usually these sounds are completely normal.

ok here it is...
cold engine ticking:

warm engine:

The cold engine video sounds nasty.

Originally Posted by NINJA

The cold engine video sounds nasty.

the thing is, it only lasts a few minutes, i alwayz wait for the engine to idle at 1000-1100rpm b4 putting it in gear to make sure everything is up to temperature... and by that time it sounds like in the 2nd vid...

What weight and brand oil you using?

Originally Posted by mikelebron

What weight and brand oil you using?

kawasaki 10w40 S4 100% synthetic, change it every 5k KM, didn't use to make that noise, can't recall when it started but like many have said here, kawi bikes are suposed to be noisy... and it goes away as soon as it's warmed up...
will let my dealer know when i go for the next oil change wich is gonna be fairly soon...
a few peeps told me and from this thread it looks like CCT based noise

I had a similar noise on my ZX6R, horrible when cold got much better when warm. Installed a manual CCT, problem solved.

I tend to agree with the others.. My cbr was crazy noisy... In fact my Infiniti g37 is very noisy when cold... The only way to fix the noise and this was direct from nissan was to use a ester based oil and it worked but at a price. They claimed it didnt have any mechanical effect just that the oil coated the rockers and lifters better thus less noise.

If it bothers you that much try experimenting with other oils. You would be surprised how much just a different brand ( not necessarily a better one) can quiet down a motor...

Originally Posted by Elk666

kawasaki 10w40 S4 100% synthetic, change it every 5k KM, didn't use to make that noise, can't recall when it started but like many have said here, kawi bikes are suposed to be noisy... and it goes away as soon as it's warmed up...
will let my dealer know when i go for the next oil change wich is gonna be fairly soon...
a few peeps told me and from this thread it looks like CCT based noise

Originally Posted by Lechec66

I had a similar noise on my ZX6R, horrible when cold got much better when warm. Installed a manual CCT, problem solved.

I agree with this, several of my past Kawis were the same, always used a manual CCT. If I recall there was a how to on adjusting the stocker posted on Kawiforums when I had my 09 ZX6

So how are we supposed to know if its bad ticking? I can hear it almost always below about 30mph. Above that and its inaudible. Ever since reading this thread I have become self conscious about the ticking... I don't even know if it did it to begin with.

Ride the bike, Kawis are noisy. I've had 5 kawasakis and they are all noisy but very reliable.

Your engine is ticking because it is a living breathing thing. Become one with it.

Kirk

motoCYCHO - you are the man! All of my worst fears have just been put to rest. I came from Suzuki SV650 and Honda CBR600F4... they were both very different sounding from my N1K, and it scared the **** out of me. My bike sounds exactly like the sound files you posted and now I can sleep. Thank you.

Originally Posted by jadedgamerx

motoCYCHO - you are the man! All of my worst fears have just been put to rest. I came from Suzuki SV650 and Honda CBR600F4... they were both very different sounding from my N1K, and it scared the **** out of me. My bike sounds exactly like the sound files you posted and now I can sleep. Thank you.

Glad they helped put you at ease. Sound captures were made at about 2800 miles on the bike and it now has over 8700... it still sounds exactly the same. Nothing louder or quieter at all. SAME!