Bike sputtering
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Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Mississippi
Bike sputtering
I've read several threads on this but still kind of stumped. I'm pretty new to figuring out the ins and outs of my bike so forgive any ignorance in my posts. lol. Bike has been running great for a year almost other than replacing a battery 4 months ago. The last few weeks its pulled hard trying to crank but once its going it runs great. It's not even every crank that it does this but more times than not it turns several times before kicking up. Riding to work this morning and it starts sputtering a bit on the interstate. I knew it was low on gas because I intentionally let it run low to get an estimate on my MPG. I'd only put 110 miles on it so figured there were atleast 40 more. Decided to stop and get gas since my work has the suits here this week and didn't need to be late. Cranked up good, got right to the interstate and it sputters a bit. It's not bad but certainly not running right. Is it possible that running the gas low caused this? When I get off today I'm gonna look to see that the battery connections are good and try to find where they are grounded. Other than that I'm a bit lost atm. It cranked earlier but did the sputter right outside the parking lot. It's a 2010 SB with 7250 miles roughly.
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Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Mississippi
Went out on lunch and checked plugs. They looked good comparing them to google images. For the heck of it I checked my battery cables again and noticed the negative a little loose. (Just tightened them up a few days ago) Didn't think it'd be that since normally they only need tightened once a month tops. It fired up as it should but didn't have time to take it down the road yet. Feel kinda like a DA for freaking out and posting if thats all it was. Just wanted to be ready for when 5 o'clock hit I suppose. Hopefully thats all it was. 
Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 209
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From: DE
Yea I was gonna recommend checking the battery terminals and the ground, had similar problems with that.
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Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Mississippi
Just to update it was the battery cables not being snug enough. Now the damn engine light comes on after starting for a few seconds and goes off. From what I've read its from a low battery. Going to get a voltmeter and check this afternoon what it shows and if needed pick up a battery charger. Would a trickle charge suffice or an actual battery charger be better? I ride everyday but do a lot of around town stops daily with only about 8 miles on the interstate one way. Probably too much starting without ample amount of time for the battery to recharge itself? Sound on point?
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: southeast PA
A voltmeter will only show you the standing charge. The battery needs to be load tested.
Even though a tender is not a charger, it will charge up a battery that's not too low. Get one an keep it hooked up whenever the bike is parked.
Even though a tender is not a charger, it will charge up a battery that's not too low. Get one an keep it hooked up whenever the bike is parked.