Dyna Glide Models Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

High RPM Sputtering

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 03:58 PM
  #1  
Abbysam1's Avatar
Abbysam1
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Ramstein, Germany
Default High RPM Sputtering

Does anyone have any idea what my problem may be?

My '08 FXD misses or sputters when I wind it out in any gear. This something that I just noticed in the last few days. It runs great until it gets into the top 10% of the max RPM and then power just drops of quickly. If I ease off the throttle it runs perfect. This happens in every gear. I have not changed anything in the last year and a half. The only change I made back then was V&H Straight Shots. It only has 6K miles and the stock air cleaner is 2K old.

Hoping somebody might know before I take it to the shop. Thank you.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 04:01 PM
  #2  
DCLXVI's Avatar
DCLXVI
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 17
From: Central FL
Default

I would check for vacuum leaks.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 04:07 PM
  #3  
dynabobster's Avatar
dynabobster
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 351
Likes: 2
Default

Sounds like you are hitting the rev limiter?
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 04:23 PM
  #4  
crazyanimal's Avatar
crazyanimal
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 735
Likes: 23
From: New Brunswick, Canada
Default

I second that,the HD download would take care of that.

Mike.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 04:29 PM
  #5  
mang0's Avatar
mang0
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 550
Likes: 8
From: Syracuse, NY
Default

i had the same thing happen earlier this month when i downshifted from 3rd and cranked on it. however it was the first day out after winter and thought maybe had water/condensation in the tank. afterwards i took the fuel cap off and shook it out (had water in the top) its a flush mount and blew it out a little --read somewhere sputtering can be from clogged fuel cap vent. took it out after changing the rear tire recently and had it up to 60 in 2nd gear (based on an excel chart floating around here in the forums that should be about 5300rpms) in an attempt to replicate the sputtering i had experience earlier in the month ---but could not replciate it. havent been out since---cold and rainy. keep us/me posted if you find the culprit
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2011 | 09:34 PM
  #6  
bhaxton's Avatar
bhaxton
Tourer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 356
Likes: 36
From: Oklahoma
Default

Start off looking at the simple stuff. A spark plug that is about to foul will cause these symptoms.
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2011 | 12:17 PM
  #7  
davidsdad's Avatar
davidsdad
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 0
From: Flatwoods Kentucky
Default

Two words... Rev Limiter!!
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2011 | 12:27 PM
  #8  
Abbysam1's Avatar
Abbysam1
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Ramstein, Germany
Default

Thanks everybody. Tonight I will check lines and spark plugs.

I was wondering about the rev limiter, but she really dies off and stays dead unless I completely let off the throttle. I thought the limiter would just let it go up to a certain RPM. Maybe I misunderstand exactly how it works.

Thanks again everyone.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 18, 2011 | 12:50 PM
  #9  
mang0's Avatar
mang0
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 550
Likes: 8
From: Syracuse, NY
Default

rev limiter --I'm hoping thats what my issue was as well---my rev limiter is set at 6200 thru the SE Super tuner. Miss the old speeedo/tachs that showed when you were getting close to red line. been thinking about replacing my speedo with one that shows both--just havent found the cash yet.
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2011 | 12:51 PM
  #10  
DCLXVI's Avatar
DCLXVI
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 17
From: Central FL
Default

The rev limiter definitely causes a sputter. It cuts the spark intermittently till you slow it down. I assumed that since you said it was within 10% of your max rpm you actually knew that you where not at max rpm. Do you have a tach? It you have a stage one they usually raise the rev limiter to 6200. If you don't have a tach the only way to know is when you hit the limiter.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:49 PM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE