| Author | Message | ||
     Nut |
I've had my XB12S 5 weeks now and covered about 1000 miles. First bike I'ver ever ridden that makes me grin without really trying - this bike is so good to ride! I often use the Buell to commute around 30 miles each way to work. A couple of times I've noticed that the engine seems to be running a bit 'soft' towards the end of my journey. Yesterday was 'interesting'. Travelled to work with a tail wind most of the way, temperature around 10C, cruised down the motorway at around 70mph. Fan was running continuously. As I slowed down and negotiated traffic the engine definitely felt 'soft', like it was running lean. When idling the revs were unsteady, varying between 1000 and 1200rpm. Going home same day, travelled at similar speeds but this time with a head wind so engine working harder. Also temperature around 15C, so fan more likely to be running. Engine ran superbly, pulled hard during acceleration, but the fan didn't come on until I killed the ignition. Seems to me that something's not quite right with the sensors/electronics. Anybody had similar experiences with their XB12 / got any ideas? | ||
| Darthane |
The fan comes on when the bike is off to cool the heads/oil to an acceptable level. That is definitely normal. It's very rare that I've ridden anywhere and not had my fan come on after I kill the motor. I'm a little curious as to how you can know the fan is running when you're doing 70mph on the freeway. You must have ears better than anyone I've ever heard of and/or a rear end more sensitive than most people's fingers. As for the relative temperatures, etc - remember that this is an air-cooled engine - headwinds = more air flow over engine = more cooling power. As for the idle, that doesn't sound too unusual. Remember that it is a v-twin, with a very loping idle. Mine varies and hops between 100-200 RPM when sitting easily. | ||
| Jasonxb12s |
Everything sounds normal as far as the fans coming on. Your idling trouble may be solved by doing the following: Get out on the highway and keep you bike at a steady 3200 rpms for 10 miles(On the 12S I think it will be at 68-70mph in 5th gear). I had some idling peaks and valleys when I was at the same mileage as you are. This cleared things up for me. Doing this process resets the AFV (air fuel valve). | ||
| M1combat |
Ahem - *cough* Air Fuel Value *cough* It's an ?integer? value that is applied to the fuel map to compensate for barometric conditions. | ||
| Bads1 |
Darthane the fan on my 12 is also heard at those speeds.Thats when I decided that its time to pipe it when I can hear the fan over the exhaust note.Hey Nut your bike sounds normal to me.Mine runs the same.Go and enjoy it. | ||
| Nut |
Thanks for the info guys. But my real concern isn't the fan running or the idle being a bit 'wobbly'. It's the fact that for no good reason as far as I can tell (and I do have a lot of non-Buell engine knowledge/experience) the engine appears to be running a bit too lean. The exhaust sounds 'fluffy' and the engine doesn't pull as hard as usual. It only happens occasionally so no big deal, just bugs me when it happens. When it happens the fan appears to be running more than normal and I thought this might be symptomatic. It is a wonderful bike with real character, maybe I'll just have to accept that she's a bit temperamental! For my wish list: a digital display mounted on the bars that shows A/F ratio and engine temperature, why not air temperature as well for those cold mornings, also operational status of the exhaust valve and of the fan (just in case I miss it at 70mph!). Also a facility to reset the TPS... | ||
| Opto |
Do a search on "air/fuel ratio" on this BBS for some LED displays (more useful than a dig display in this case). These motors have character and will do some minor strange things/noises from time to time, you'll get used to it, best thing is keep riding and don't fret unless it sounds really nasty. The fan runs a bit more during the early miles. | ||
| Dj_rider |
hey bro...i had the same problem, and it was the o2 sensor wire, it had worn against the frame and grounded out the sensor...the engine light didnt come on until a week later...harley said this was a routing problem of the wire on earlier 2004 xb's...maybe this is your problem | ||
| Fullpower |
noticed something interesting yesterday. i let a friend ride my XB, and like many youngsters, he had to twist the the throttle many times in neutral, to hear the drummer. then he took it for a short ride. for the next hour the bike ran real crappy, stumbling and missing between 2500 and 3000 rpm. my theory is that when the throttle is needlessly "blipped" the extra fuel that is being injected (wasted) causes the ecm to attempt to compensate and leans out the fuel map for a while. so i have come to the conclusion that throttle should only be used for propelling the bike, in gear. the throttle is not to be used as a noise-maker. the practice of senseless revving of the motor should be left to 2-stroke mini motocross riders, who dont know any better, and straight piped harley riders, who dont care. | ||
| Fullpower |
for the record, when i ride my straight piped harley, i dont care either. | ||
| M1combat |
Hmmm - Not bad Dean. I rarely have fuel delivery trouble with my bike and I never rev it in neutral. Maybe I'll try it. | ||
| Opto |
Dean, exact same thing happened to my 12 a few months ago. Some people cannot equate smooth throttle control with riding hard, they can relate to aggressive throttle control however and use up more fuel to go slower. |
