It is indeed the clutch basket you are hearing, I had mine replaced and the whinning went away completely. Had a ´G´ basket in it at first and the greatest yamaha mechanic in the world ( Chris) ordered in a ´I´ basket. It was a night and day difference. I love my bike, got 4000 miles on it and will be riding it from Louisville KY to Star Days in Colorado this summer. I have had nothing but positive response from my dealer and their shop (Louisville Yamaha in Middletown) I´ve got tons of accessories on it and will soon run out of add ons to buy. I put the Samson slip on´s on mine. Not too loud, but loud enough. Nothing but praise for this bike.