2017 FLHTKSE W/ SE 131 hesitating over 75 mph
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Woodland Park, Co
2017 FLHTKSE W/ SE 131 hesitating over 75 mph
I left om May 7th from Colorado to Nashville and then Maggy Valley. In Kansas I get gas and as I'm pumping it I notice it says 30% biofuel. After about1 miles the bike starts to hesitate over 70 mph. I ride it down to 1/2 tank and refuel w/ 10% gas. Still holding speeds under 75 the engine check light comes on and it go into limp mode. I pull over not knowing what to do I try reloading my tune and reset the fuel trims. Bike starts and runs ok as long as i keep the speeds below 75.After the next fill I reset trims again and I started to run good but I didn't want to push it to much. Get to Nashville and ride the week around Maggy Valley and back to Nashville with no issues. Then Saturday I start home on the freeway leaving Nashville cruise set at 72mph give it a little to get around a semi it starts to hesitate again. rode about 20 mile and it got worst and pulled it over and reset trims. Rode all day under 70 and ran with no problems until late in the day again cruising at 68 go around a semi and it started hesitating big time almost pulled off the freeway but when I dropped below 70 it ran fine. I reset the trims when I got to my hotel. Rode the next 2 days without issues and when I got back the Colorado Springs I get on it hard and Still no issues. I'm at 6600 ft and the problems seem to happen above 2500 feet. Anyone have a clue. Running Power vision with Fuel moto tune.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Virginia
I left om May 7th from Colorado to Nashville and then Maggy Valley. In Kansas I get gas and as I'm pumping it I notice it says 30% biofuel. After about1 miles the bike starts to hesitate over 70 mph. I ride it down to 1/2 tank and refuel w/ 10% gas. Still holding speeds under 75 the engine check light comes on and it go into limp mode. I pull over not knowing what to do I try reloading my tune and reset the fuel trims. Bike starts and runs ok as long as i keep the speeds below 75.After the next fill I reset trims again and I started to run good but I didn't want to push it to much. Get to Nashville and ride the week around Maggy Valley and back to Nashville with no issues. Then Saturday I start home on the freeway leaving Nashville cruise set at 72mph give it a little to get around a semi it starts to hesitate again. rode about 20 mile and it got worst and pulled it over and reset trims. Rode all day under 70 and ran with no problems until late in the day again cruising at 68 go around a semi and it started hesitating big time almost pulled off the freeway but when I dropped below 70 it ran fine. I reset the trims when I got to my hotel. Rode the next 2 days without issues and when I got back the Colorado Springs I get on it hard and Still no issues. I'm at 6600 ft and the problems seem to happen above 2500 feet. Anyone have a clue. Running Power vision with Fuel moto tune.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
FWIW... Any time you have an issue, check the codes, and record them before you clear them... They can greatly reduce diagnostic time by pointing you in the right direction...
I suspect your issue could be from the 30% biofuel you put in your fuel system. Luckily you were on a trip, and by now have it flushed out completely by good fuel.
I am no expert on biofuel but here are some issues using it in a non-flex fuel application, like your motorcycle.
Biofuels possess a lower energy density than 10% fuels. You'll notice a drop in MPG and sluggish acceleration.
Biofuels require a different AFR than 10% fuels. You would be running pretty lean with 30% fuel in an engine tuned for 10% fuel.
The above two will be corrected now that the 30% fuel is flushed out.
I don't know how long it would take, or if one tankful would have consequences, but 30% biofuel acts like a solvent. It can break loose debris in your fuel system that could lead to clogged filter, injectors, etc. Again, I don't know if just one tankful will have an affect...
Hopefully it was the fuel and it is over... but keep us posted if it should reappear.
If it reappears, I would agree with Kojak, you have a fuel delivery issue (possibly initiated by the biofuel), or you might get lucky and it's just a very dirty air filter (hesitating only at high rpm/speed).
I suspect your issue could be from the 30% biofuel you put in your fuel system. Luckily you were on a trip, and by now have it flushed out completely by good fuel.
I am no expert on biofuel but here are some issues using it in a non-flex fuel application, like your motorcycle.
Biofuels possess a lower energy density than 10% fuels. You'll notice a drop in MPG and sluggish acceleration.
Biofuels require a different AFR than 10% fuels. You would be running pretty lean with 30% fuel in an engine tuned for 10% fuel.
The above two will be corrected now that the 30% fuel is flushed out.
I don't know how long it would take, or if one tankful would have consequences, but 30% biofuel acts like a solvent. It can break loose debris in your fuel system that could lead to clogged filter, injectors, etc. Again, I don't know if just one tankful will have an affect...
Hopefully it was the fuel and it is over... but keep us posted if it should reappear.
If it reappears, I would agree with Kojak, you have a fuel delivery issue (possibly initiated by the biofuel), or you might get lucky and it's just a very dirty air filter (hesitating only at high rpm/speed).
Last edited by hattitude; May 19, 2026 at 09:31 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 969
Likes: 364
From: Woodland Park, Co
FWIW... Any time you have an issue, check the codes, and record them before you clear them... They can greatly reduce diagnostic time by pointing you in the right direction...
I suspect your issue could be from the 30% biofuel you put in your fuel system. Luckily you were on a trip, and by now have it flushed out completely by good fuel.
I am no expert on biofuel but here are some issues using it in a non-flex fuel application, like your motorcycle.
Biofuels possess a lower energy density than 10% fuels. You'll notice a drop in MPG and sluggish acceleration.
Biofuels require a different AFR than 10% fuels. You would be running pretty lean with 30% fuel in an engine tuned for 10% fuel.
The above two will be corrected now that the 30% fuel is flushed out.
I don't know how long it would take, or if one tankful would have consequences, but 30% biofuel acts like a solvent. It can break loose debris in your fuel system that could lead to clogged filter, injectors, etc. Again, I don't know if just one tankful will have an affect...
Hopefully it was the fuel and it is over... but keep us posted if it should reappear.
If it reappears, I would agree with Kojak, you have a fuel delivery issue (possibly initiated by the biofuel), or you might get lucky and it's just a very dirty air filter (hesitating only at high rpm/speed).
I suspect your issue could be from the 30% biofuel you put in your fuel system. Luckily you were on a trip, and by now have it flushed out completely by good fuel.
I am no expert on biofuel but here are some issues using it in a non-flex fuel application, like your motorcycle.
Biofuels possess a lower energy density than 10% fuels. You'll notice a drop in MPG and sluggish acceleration.
Biofuels require a different AFR than 10% fuels. You would be running pretty lean with 30% fuel in an engine tuned for 10% fuel.
The above two will be corrected now that the 30% fuel is flushed out.
I don't know how long it would take, or if one tankful would have consequences, but 30% biofuel acts like a solvent. It can break loose debris in your fuel system that could lead to clogged filter, injectors, etc. Again, I don't know if just one tankful will have an affect...
Hopefully it was the fuel and it is over... but keep us posted if it should reappear.
If it reappears, I would agree with Kojak, you have a fuel delivery issue (possibly initiated by the biofuel), or you might get lucky and it's just a very dirty air filter (hesitating only at high rpm/speed).
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 672
From: Vancouver Island B.C.
That's why target fuel table is lambda. Stoich for all fuels is lambda1. I'm kinda with Kojack on fuel delivery issue.
Last edited by Lonewolf176; May 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Woodland Park, Co
Update: Did fuel pressure test should be 55 - 62 psi. Test 54psi idling drop 1-2 psi twisting throttle rode it hard and fuel pressure dropped to 45 psi. Changed fuel pump and pressure regulator. new test holding 60psi at all rpm. Bike has 105,360 miles
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,604
Likes: 4,045
From: Virginia
Good deal, changed the fuel filter as well?
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