| Author | Message | ||
     Shadowz |
New to Buell and V-twins. Owned lots of inline-fours and V fours. Purchased 2009 1125R (has 1700 miles on it) and when slowing down under 3000 RPM and accelerating and decelerating in traffic the bike has lots of backlash (noise) and feels like is surging. Is this normal for this type of bike? | ||
| Syonyk |
Make sure you've got the most recent ECU flash. The most recent one made a boatload of difference in sub-3000 RPM running. It went from "Can't do it; sounds like the drivetrain will dismantle itsself" to "Tolerable." | ||
| Poppinsexz |
They do make a lot below 3500-4 and jerk around, like sy said check the flash for latest. The backlash is in the cush drive, someone here shimmed it up to reduce that. just takes some learning at low speeds and cruising above 4. Took me a bit too, but I have no problems now. | ||
| Slypiranna |
From day one when this was bitched about, it was recommended not to ride below 4k rpm and no drama per BMC. See archives. | ||
| Syonyk |
Which is great if you never are going below 25mph, which is about 4k in 1st. | ||
| Jules |
I must admit I do have to slip the clutch a bit to keep it smooth below 4K, not a lot but the bike's definately not happy without a bit of help... And that's generally in 1st Gear as I always change down whenever the bike starts to feel "laboured".. I've got used to it now | ||
| Mountainstorm |
I try to keep the revs above 4K at all times except when starting in first. I let out the clutch and use the brake in stop and go instead of engine braking which seems to be a good way to beat the hell out of the engine for no reason. I hear a lot of engine noise too. It used to scare me...but it just seems that my bike is noisy that way. With the stock exhaust it was really noticable...made me wonder if there was any oil in there at all...but it seems to be surviving. I thought it might get quieter as time goes on but it actually seems to have gotten a bit louder. I gotta assume it's normal for the Helicon. | ||
| Illbuell |
Its a Hot Rod bike guys... Like most overly powerful engines, they have to be well over idle to go.. There's a reason most twins don't make that kind of power.. So its a trade off.. I'll take the power.. | ||
| Justa4banger |
Illbuell said it best... But with a little finess i can easily cruise at slow speeds, without the clutch... just need to Really smooth your throttle inputs... | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
a tune from o s b or other will help alot... my o s b tune lets me cruise down to about 2800 rpm fairly smoothly... | ||
| Syonyk |
I can cruise down to 2500 with an 08 on the most recent factory ECU flash - there's no power, as expected, but the drivetrain isn't trying to tear itsself apart. I usually try to stay above 3000-3500 as I'm at high altitude & need the revs to make any power should I need to scoot, but the bike runs smoothly down to 2500. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
That's also known as lugging the engine. That's way too low of an RPM in my opinion to be running the Helicon. Lugging the engine puts more strain on the connecting rods and associated reciprocating bits than over revving...it's a sure way to beat the engine up. Anything below about 3800RPM I'd suggest very gentle throttle input until you hit the beginning of the powerband at around 4500. According to the Dyno run on my bike, beyond 8500 the stock tuned 1125r actually runs down on power unless you are pushing beyond 130MPH and can take advantage of the ram air effect. To each his own. I want my bike to last as long as possible so I don't abuse it by lugging, over revving, popping the clutch or doing burn outs...it's just not my style. | ||
| Metalrabbit |
Its happier in racing mode Shadowz, thats just it's nature. It has great handling, power and engine braking plus its quiet. So you can get away some fierce blitz runs on it without everybody turning their heads. And I must say it's a car passing maniac,, Superb in that area. | ||
| Dentguy |
Shadowz It's under warranty right? I would suggest you run it by the dealer and have it checked out to be sure. Probably normal V-twin,light flywheel,etc. and you're not used to it. On the internet and it's hard to get a proper diagnosis by reading posts vs. having someone check it out in person to be sure it doesn't have an issue. Just a suggestion. (Message edited by dentguy on January 27, 2010) | ||
| Lastonetherebuys |
I work at a Nissan Dealer and the new GTR is basicly a $100,000 CAD sports car and that thing has tons of mechanical noise through it. If its built for preformance it will have drive train noise | ||
| Rex |
I have noticed a lot of drive line lash. You are right below 3-4,000 jerks and jumps a lot. | ||
| Poppinsexz |
I believe the jerk is from a super lightweight flywheel, which also happens to give the fast engine spinup. It's a tradeoff. | ||
| Highscore |
Do not forget the pistons. These are slippers designed to the minimum with real short skirt. Such pistons make unavoidable more mechanical noise than piston with a conservative longer skirt. | ||
| Dentguy |
If its built for performance it will have drive train noise Just because something is built for performance doesn't mean it will have drive train noise. | ||
| Lastonetherebuys |
just name a vehicle that is built solely around preformance and does not have drive train noise | ||
| 1_mike |
When someone says, one can't run this engine below 4000rpm OR 3000rpm OR EVEN 2500rpm...they don't have a clue...period. With the tuneup in my CR, I "can" run it down to about 2200rpm and smoothly pull away...all the way to the redline. Others can do this also. It's not rocket science, but you must do the work yourself. It's an aftermarket program. I believe Dynojet also has a new box for the 1125 that SHOULD enable the same performance. Mike | ||
| Ron_luning |
Has anyone ridden a new "Hot Rod" twin bike like a Ducati 1098/1198? If so, do they run smoothly at low rpm? Even with the latest flash, my 09 R requires a lot of clutching to ride less than 15 mph. Yes I know it would ideally be ridden above that speed, but in the real world there are tons of traffic signals and parking lots. Not that I expect H-D to do anything about this, but it would be interesting to hear from those with first hand experience onboard a bike with a v-twin engine and even higher power output. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Has anyone ridden a new "Hot Rod" twin bike like a Ducati 1098/1198? If so, do they run smoothly at low rpm? Ducatis are famous for horrendous low-rpm performance, it's like trying to ride a camel on meth having an epileptic fit. It's the byproduct of a large twin with a lightweight flywheel- nature of the beast. Want smooth off-idle performance?... get an XB. | ||
| Hairy_cannonball |
Compared to the two dry clutch Ducati's I have,a 996 and a 900ss, my 1125CR is pretty darned smooth and quiet. I wont go so far as to say the Ducs ride like ride a camel on meth having an epileptic fit, but they are clattery. All part of the fun..Quit worrying and enjoy the ride. | ||
| Hairy_cannonball |
Oh and if you really want to appreciate the Rolls Royce quietness of a 1125 Buell, stop by my place some time and ride my Royal Enfield Diesel...  | ||
| Drift |
welcome to the sickness.. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
Noise is okay...it's those new noises you need to look out for. And if you think I am talking out my ass about beating an engine up by running it lower than it's "happy place" ask any mechanic. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Of course if you prefer putting around like you are on a Harley that's none of my business. |
