While riding my 03 sportster today after about 30- 40 miles the bike would backfire lose power and die out. After it sat for 10 15 minutes it would start back up and run fine for another 30 40 miles again had to wait for 10-15 min before it would go again. Any ideas, this is my first bike and for lack of a better word I'm dumfounded. Help!!!

 

My favorite place to look first is the gas filter.

 

Coils cutting out?

 

Possible coil going out.

 

Make that 3 votes. COIL heat up and lose spark, then after it cools off it will work until it reheats.

 

Bad vent on the fuel tank?

 

OK - do you have SPARK? Need fuel, air, and spark. After it shuts down, if it will fire with starter fluid go with the vent/filter, if not you don't have spark.