Metal whirring noise

Hey everyone I'm pretty new to bikes especially fuel injected ones. I picked up an 08 wr250x with 9xxx mi. I noticed at idle there's a metal ghost whirring noise going on around the top end more noticeable on the right side. I didn't know if this is normal or if it is a problem someone else has ran into.

I did change the oil in it and I am unaware if any mods have been done to it yet. Haven't really had a chance to check it out too much.

I can't post a link to the video since I'm within my 7 day forum restriction. But a simple google search of "wr250x whirring" brings up my video on YouTube.

Remove the skid plate and test again.

YZEtc wrote:

Remove the skid plate and test again.

Ok next time I make it home(Friday) I'll try. it does have a flatlands skid plate on it. Thanks for the reply

I second the skid plate. It is an easy test by taking it off and riding it. My son stopped riding his WR because of a noise we couldn't isolate. It was skid plate vibration at low rpms. Put some garden hose washers between the frame and the skid plate and it was all good. I think we used 8 washers at the points that showed wear on the aluminum (black spots).

I need to do it to mine now. I took it in for the stator recall and the shop guys didn't put the washers back in place.

Diamond K wrote:

I second the skid plate. It is an easy test by taking it off and riding it. My son stopped riding his WR because of a noise we couldn't isolate. It was skid plate vibration at low rpms. Put some garden hose washers between the frame and the skid plate and it was all good. I think we used 8 washers at the points that showed wear on the aluminum (black spots).

I need to do it to mine now. I took it in for the stator recall and the shop guys didn't put the washers back in place.

Yeah I'm starting to feel reassured and hoping it's the skid plate(lots of forum searching now). If it is the skid plate I probably won't mess with it for awhile as long as I know that the noise is caused from it. I would kick myself in the ass if I bought a bike that had to be fixed before rid'n. I read about the noise from skid plates but never in one post did anyone say what it sounded like.

The skid plate can definitely cause / amplify / reflect a lot of different noises.  If removing it doesn't make the noise go away, see if this matches what you're hearing:

https://wr250rforum.forumotion.com/t4395-engine-noise-please-listen

Lee