My 07 SG seem to have a engine ping. I first noticed it last fall when riding 2-up in 40 deg weather, at first I thought it was gas related ran it low on gas and then filled it up at a gas station that I know thw 93 octane is fresh. It seemed to go away but then again I was riding solo. Yesterday I was ridding with the wife and I noticed the ping again, when rolling on the gas a little hard the engine will ping once and then stop. I guess there must be something wrong with the map? The bike is stock, I don't have the money yet to install a new exhaust and air cleaner and a management system. I am going to make an appointment at the Stealer this week to have them check it. Anyone else experience this?

 

Yep!

I've noticed it since day one and I can hear it every time I am heavy on the throttle. I think the owners manual says that it is normal. I disagree!

I'm sure it has to do with the extremely lean map that they are running stock. My dealer wouldn't even look at it and said it was normal. I have even tried Sunoco 94 octane and it will still ping. It is one of the things that I am not that impressed about for a NEW motorcycle. I like fuel injection, hell I teach fuel injection as a profession, but I sure like my S&S carburetor and pipes that were easy to tune and didn't give me any hassle.

 

Yes, exactly. Even a mild roll on at highway speed produced pinging, seemed to be worse on warm days. My dealer said it is normal and would not look into it. Hope you have better results with your service department.
I took the route of having the bike remaped and tuned after installing high flow exhaust and AC. The tech showed me the AFR results after the tune, it's on the same printout as the torque/hp plots. He said it is a little richer than factory and that it should run better, he was right.

 

No,my 07 fxd does not ping so it's not normal solo or two up.When you downshift is the pinging less?Couldbe valve noise you are hearing.Did it do it when new?One more thing,I'm not so sure these gas stations always have the octane they claim at the pump,try some octane booster and see how it runs.

 

Try lower octane also. Mid-grade 89-91. Lower octane actually burns quicker than higher octane. Manual says 91.

My ex 2007 Civic Si ran better on the stuff than high test for that reason.

Give it a try.

 

Also find gas stations that have separate hoses for the diff grades of gas. If the pump only has one hose you will fill with reg. for the first quart(thats whats left in the hose)b4 you get prem. Dave...not sayin thats the problem, just sayin.

 

My owners manual does not say pinging is normal,in the back of the book there is a troubleshooting guide QUOTE:PRE-IGNITION OR DETONATION(KNOCKS OR PINGS) 1.INCORRECT FUEL 2.INCORRECT SPARK PLUG FOR THE KIND OF SERVICE. Believe me detonation will destroy an air cooled engine if severe enough.

 

It is a ping, it it won't ping if I down shift unless I jump on it hard. I seems to be worse in cold weather. Around here eastern NY, western Ct area I have yet to find a gas station with a separate fill for premium gas.

 

I heard my first pinging yesterday. 2008 FXDB 103" stage II with 4000 miles. It was a little warm, 85 and I was in traffic so I'm sure the bike was warmer than it has been since I picked it up in February. I've been debating getting a PCIII and the debate is now over. I'll be ordering one tomorrow.

 

If you are running syn3 oil change to a different brand. When my 06 was new I broke it in on syn3 and had a lot of valve clatter on acceleration in 2nd 3rd & 4th gearthat sounded like pinging or detonation. Took it back---nothing wrong. Changed fuel brands 4 times--still pinged. Changed to Mobil1 20w50 Vtwin synthetic oil and it never did it again.