| Author | Message | ||
     Fuzzy22_a |
Hey guys and gals, I was wondering if someone could give me some advise, I was riding around for about 4 hours in the city tonight. Stop and go traffic, occasional 50 to 60 mph runs. Stopped for about 2 minutes, turned off the XB12S, then turned it on again 2 minutes later. I noticed that the engine light never went off to let me know that it's OK to start it, so I turned off the run switch and turned it on again and it worked this time and I started it. I rode for about a mile then noticed that the engine light was on. I pulled over immediately and shut off the bike. I checked the oil, which looked good. The bike was running fine, so I drove to the nearest gas station about 2 miles away and shut it off, checked oil again, which still looked Ok. I let it sit for about 5 minutes then started it up again; this time the light was off and stayed off all the way home, about 15 miles. Most of the way home I was able to do about 50 to 60mph; the fan came on by the time I got home. The only thing I can think is that maybe it was overheating. This of course disturbs me because, I live in Canada and the temp was only about 2 degrees celsius which is about 35 degrees Fahrenheit, so it was pretty cold, I'm still a little numb an hour later. If it was overheating, I'm gonna have problems when summer kicks in.....yike! BTW, I just got it a week ago, and have put on about 250 miles. So, I think I will buy that right hand scoop for sure, but I have a couple of questions: 1.) I'm wondering if anyone thinks that my assessment of the problem is close. 2.) How do these Harley/Buell Twins like to be run? Low revving or fast revving? Does this have an affect on the operating temperature? I've been running it between 2500 and 3500 RPM usually, not including accelerating and slowing down. I am following the break in rules in the manual. 3.) I use engine breaking a lot, does this add to the heat build up? Any tips or referrals to other threads would be appreciated. Thanks. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I would check your battery cables first. Loose cables create all kinds of gremlins. Mine manifested in a low oil light. It would come on, go off, flicker, etc. VERY unnerving. If they are tight, I would have the bike checked out to see if it is throwing any codes. The dealer should be able to read the codes for you. If it's overheating, it will go into "skip spark" mode. You will KNOW when it is in this mode. Doesn't sound like this was the case for you. As far as running V-Twins, there are individuals here who beat the ever living dog snot out of their bikes and they run magnificantly. It would be better to run your bike hard than to lug it around 2500-3000 rpm. You will have a hard time hurting the engine regardless of how you ride it. There is not a snowball's chance (get it, he's in Canada and they get a lot of snow) it overheated. Not at 35 degrees (unless the oil pump is seized). | ||
| Jaimec |
Why not just get the engine diagnostic (details in the Knowledge Vault) and find out what the problem really is? I had a similar incident, and when I checked the readout, it was pointing to the exhaust servo. When I reported back here, I was told that the plastic gear on many XB12 models had a burr in it which occasionally caused the servo to hang up and cause that diagnostic to occur. Your dealer will likely correct it for free... | ||
| Bodyshot1 |
same deal with me, as Jaimec...valve in the stock pipe was not opening/closing correctly.. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Same deal with me on my '06 Ss. Servo fault. The problem disappeared when I installed my Drummer CF and removed the servo cable. | ||
| Freezerburn |
Fuzzy - when the bike gets hot the engine fan comes on, well before overheating. When your bike is on its way to overheating, the bike will start to suffer from heat soak. It will start to creak and make funny little sounds. That happens a lot in gridlock type traffic for me in the summer. I have never experienced the "skip spark mode" so I doubt it wasn't dangerously hot. I don't have the right side scoop although badwebbers report good things. By the way, how are those Flames doing? I hear the golf swing translates well as cross training for the next season. LOL Freezer | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
I had a dream once about riding twins.  | ||
| Buelet |
Sorry, thought this thread was about something different, too.  Now where was I? | ||
| No_rice |
my best advice is to make sure neither twin knows. unless they are into that, then it is always more fun that way! sisters can be ALOT of fun! | ||
| Rocketman |
Tips for riding a twin? Yeah, do her sister as well. Rocket | ||
| Jaimec |
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| Fuzzy22_a |
Ok that thread went south in a hurry....I guess I've been riding singles far too long. Thanks guys for all the tips and words. I'll be taking it in on Thursday to see what the diagnostics comes up with and I'll post a note here. Interesting to note that 2500 to 3500rpm might be lugging, I always wonder about that. And to Freezer.....ya, not so good, sorry but thats a sore subject around these parts. Oh well golf is fun too. Fuzzy | ||
| Fuzzy22_a |
Hey all, I took my bike in and got the dealer to get the diagnostic done. They think that a valve was stuck open. Sounds reasonable to me. They are going to check it again at the first check up after break in. The bike seems to be running fine. Lovin it more every day!!! Thanks for all the help, Fuzzy |
