| Author | Message | ||
     Lovematt |
Hello guys, Speaking of bad weather biking, I recently got caught in a downpour of rain for about 15 minutes and the bike starting running like it was only on one cylinder...if I didn't give it too much gas it ran fine but if I gave it more gas it was like the power was mushy. If I gave it halfway between these two there was sudden cutting in and out of good power/bad power. I want to say the problem felt like electronics since the cutting in and out was pretty quick. However as I got close to home and the rain stopped, it started running better. I let her idle for a few minutes while wiping off the bike and by the time I was done it ran great...like it did when I left this morning. Has anyone heard of this happening? I remember something about spark plug wires being good to replace on these bikes. It is a 2003 XB9R with K/N Air Filter, Snorkel removed, and about 9300 miles on it. So far the bike has run great although it rarely sees rainy weather it does get a daily diet of fog on the morning commute. | ||
| Bubabuell |
Somewhat common problem. I don't think anyone has exactly traced the electrical culprit that is being affected. | ||
| Tatsu |
Nope never had that problem and I get rained on a lot, here in Hawaii. | ||
| Krassh |
Check your plug wires, mine rubbed through and when it got damp it would arc to the frame. | ||
| Lovematt |
Krassh, Thanks for the feedback...I have heard about problems with wires rubbing on several of the Buell models...kind of odd as I never had a problem with this on other motorcycles. Thankfully it looks like the plug wires are like a Chevy V8 and are plugged at both ends....I have always been picky about wire routing....looks like I need to jump in and figure out a better way to run some high end wires. Thanks for the feedback. | ||
| Morts |
I had the same problem on my XB9S, the problem stems from the side stand 'ride off protection circuit' soak the connection with a water repellent like WD 40 let it dry then seal with an ignition sealer. No problem since. Cheers Morts | ||
| Raceautobody |
I had the same problem with my X1. Gave her a good scrubbing the day before a trip and she would cut out at low rpm's. Then we got caught in rain on our trip and it got worse. Limped her home. Did some diag on her and found the problem to be the TPS. It must have got wet enough to get water in it or something. Maybe tough luck. But now when I track voltage readings from the TPS the readings will dive when holding the throttle steady. And it only does this when it is just off idle. I have a new TPS coming with that technoreserch software from Daves. Hopefully that will fix her. Al | ||
| Oconnor |
I had my xb9r as a daily driver last year and rode her every day rain or shine. The first couple of days it rained it rain a little rough and then ran great in the rain except for torrential downpours where there was obvious water ingestion. But never any electrical problems. But now in the dry the computer resets itself everytime I start it?????? | ||
| Lovematt |
It was pretty wet...I don't think I could have gotten any wetter jumping into a frieking lake. In any case, I have never had problems with wet weather riding on any bike or car previously so it kind of jumped out at me. | ||
| Ingemar |
The only problem I had in the rain was on my sportster with open air filter. Too much rain got sucked in I guess. It was still running though, just very rough. | ||
| Glitch |
But now in the dry the computer resets itself everytime I start it?????? Check your battery terminals to begin with. Make sure they're clean and tight. | ||
| Stoobr2 |
I had an 03 9s that was ridden in all weathers here in the UK. I placed a small cable-tie around the top of the front cylinder spark-plug boot. It seemed to stop water getting in and causing misfire problems. I did the same thing with the clutch cable adjuster boot on the front of the engine aswell as packing it with grease, so it did'nt ever seize-up in 14,000miles. (Message edited by stoobr2 on October 18, 2004) | ||
| Dale |
Had the front spark plug wire pushed of the coil by the idle adjustment cable. Ran on one cylinder in the rain. | ||
| Lovematt |
I had the front cylinder spark plug wire rubbed through right at the end of the boot going into the coil...the white fibers were frayed a bit so I figure that is the problem...will put abrasion/heat resistant wrap around both plug wires when I put the new ones on...thanks guys! I will also looking into sealing up the kickstand switch....didn't think of that. | ||
| Rd350 |
Earlier 2003 xbs had some problems with the spark plug wires letting water get by them. This is most liking your problem. Buell did a running change on them. Either lube them up or get the newer 2004s and up. | ||
| Fullpower |
still looking for Buell Pro Series plug wire set. yes i know they dont make them, but i am STILL WAITING. mine runs like crap when wet also. | ||
| Odie |
Anybody remember what 420 was using?? | ||
| Fullpower |
cannabis | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
Not to hijack the thread, but the mention of the kickstand switch was something I wanted know about, or rather, I wanted to know if all models have it? I have taken off with stand down, and raised #&!! about it and how my 1981 Suzuki had a safety switch that prevented such a thing. So is this something that is supposed to be on my 12R? Sorry to be getting off subject | ||
| Darthane |
Yes, XBs have the sidestand switch. Don't ride off with your kickstand down, silly! | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
Believe me it was not intentional, I lost a friend a few years back who failed to make a left when his side stand caught the ground and sent him chest first into a road sign. So I guess I have a failure, darn, Everything was going soo well. | ||
| Xb9er |
I think Buell stopped putting on the sidestand switches beginning with 2004 model year XB's. Some XB's have them and some don't. Really weird. Mike. | ||
| Lovematt |
Well...put in the pro-series plugs and new wires (stockers) and she runs great...better than before so that front wire must have been a little messed up for a while. Whoo hoo! | ||
| Odie |
My 12S does not have a stand switch.......Odie | ||
| Lovematt |
Mine does...2003 XB9R | ||
| Reepicheep |
Thanks XB9er, my 05 9sx does *not* have a sidestand switch either. I probably prefer it that way, I have had twice as many side stand switch failures (2, 1 Yamaha, 1 Buell) cause me problems then I have ever been saved when forgetting it (1 time). So it's probably the right call. But still good to know. | ||
| Xb9er |
Mine is an '03 and it does have a sidestand switch. Mike. | ||
| Darthane |
Well, then, sounds like the new ones have it removed. Good riddance, but just for the record, mine's never given me a problem on either the Blast or the Firebolt, both of which have them. | ||
| Fullpower |
my 2004 XB12 S does not have a side stand switch. also does not have pro series wires. where did you get the Pro Series wires, and what is the part number? thanks. dean | ||
| Lovematt |
Fullpower, I put in Pro Series spark plugs but got stock plug wires...I wanted to get the wires as well but could not get them...same as you...I figured stock wires were better than chafed, arcing against the gas tank wires! |
