2012 FXDF problems, am I crazy?
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 34
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From: PIttsburgh, PA
2012 FXDF problems, am I crazy?
Hi,
I have a 2012 FXDF with just under 2k miles. I traded in a 2008 FXDF for it. My (at least perceived) problems with the new one are: the engine feels like it's surging and dropping out or hesitating on decel while throttle is still open, most noticabley around 2000 rpm. Also when decelerating and coming off the throttle with it still open, engine surges and jolts, as if it was abruptly closed, but it's not. When I begin to slowly open and roll on throttle at low speed, the bike jerks forward as if accellerating abruptly even though I'm trying like mad to roll on smoothly. I guess it just feels very herky jerky compared to the 2008, which always was always very smooth on accel/decel when rolling on and off throttle.
Also, the engine heat on the new one seems much more noticeable. I don't know if that has anything w/the engine being 103 vs. 96ci.
I took it to the dealer and aske them to run diagnostics, check AFR, TPS, ECM, and throttle body...and all they did was adjust the hand grip throttle tightness itself, say they took it for a ride and didn't notice any problems. So, I'll have to ask them to re-check it. It got me thinking maybe I'm imagining things...but our bikes are like our bodies, we know when something just isn't right. I just can't put my finger on it, or explain it well enough to the dealer's technician.
I put a set of nightriders on it but it didn't seem to help out the engine heat. I had them on my 2008, and it felt like they really helped with heat and throttle action on that bike.
I'm out of my element here, I can do oil and brake changes, but that's about where my knowledge ends.
If anyone has any tips, I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks for reading this long winded question!
I have a 2012 FXDF with just under 2k miles. I traded in a 2008 FXDF for it. My (at least perceived) problems with the new one are: the engine feels like it's surging and dropping out or hesitating on decel while throttle is still open, most noticabley around 2000 rpm. Also when decelerating and coming off the throttle with it still open, engine surges and jolts, as if it was abruptly closed, but it's not. When I begin to slowly open and roll on throttle at low speed, the bike jerks forward as if accellerating abruptly even though I'm trying like mad to roll on smoothly. I guess it just feels very herky jerky compared to the 2008, which always was always very smooth on accel/decel when rolling on and off throttle.
Also, the engine heat on the new one seems much more noticeable. I don't know if that has anything w/the engine being 103 vs. 96ci.
I took it to the dealer and aske them to run diagnostics, check AFR, TPS, ECM, and throttle body...and all they did was adjust the hand grip throttle tightness itself, say they took it for a ride and didn't notice any problems. So, I'll have to ask them to re-check it. It got me thinking maybe I'm imagining things...but our bikes are like our bodies, we know when something just isn't right. I just can't put my finger on it, or explain it well enough to the dealer's technician.
I put a set of nightriders on it but it didn't seem to help out the engine heat. I had them on my 2008, and it felt like they really helped with heat and throttle action on that bike.
I'm out of my element here, I can do oil and brake changes, but that's about where my knowledge ends.
If anyone has any tips, I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks for reading this long winded question!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 1
From: Denver
I have the same bike and it feels very smooth to me. I have a buddy with a 2010 and his feels the same as mine to me. As far as the heat the 12 has a catalyst that will make the exhaust feel hotter then the 08.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 34
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From: PIttsburgh, PA
No mods, other than the nightriders to change the afr, which was after I noticed the problem. I've put on and taken off different slip ons and ac's just to see if anything changes, but they didn't seem to change things.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
Like someone already said, the 2012 has cats in the exhaust pipe whereas your 2008 did not....this will cause a lot more heat issues. The bike is tuned differently from the factory to meet current EPA regs and for the addition of the cat. It probably does feel slightly different. Symptoms typical of running lean, but I would have though the XiEDs would have helped with the surging.
Don't know what, if any mods you have done to the bike? I would suggest changing the entire exhaust system to get rid of the cats, put the SE stage 1 breather on it, and either run your XiEDS or get a tuner and/or dyno tuned.
Don't know what, if any mods you have done to the bike? I would suggest changing the entire exhaust system to get rid of the cats, put the SE stage 1 breather on it, and either run your XiEDS or get a tuner and/or dyno tuned.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
Slips-ons will not help with anything except sound, since on the FXDF the cats are in the collector and are part of the head pipe. Gotta change the whole system to get rid of the cat.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 34
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From: PIttsburgh, PA
Other than the possibility that EPA may start requiring testing in the future, is there any downside to cutting out the cat? Also, I still have a brand new full exhaust from the 2008. Could I switch them out, or do the sensors and stuff not match up on them?
The things is, I don't even know where to begin. Could it be something with the throttle position sensor, or even transmission related? I can't even diagnose it properly.
The things is, I don't even know where to begin. Could it be something with the throttle position sensor, or even transmission related? I can't even diagnose it properly.