My 2007 883L doesn't seem to run very well at low speeds. If I'm moving through traffic or in a situation where I'm doing around 30mph, it runs as though I'm constantly in a gear too high - feels like I need to change down all the time, even though I'm already in a lower gear and keeping the revs up slightly.

It's almost like it's coughing. Runs fine at speeds above 40mph (yes I know that's still a low speed, but that seems to be the improvement point). And it was worse this morning in the rain too. I also think the hotter it gets, the better it runs.

Bike may be 3 years old but I picked it up last week with just 102 miles on it. Has now covered about 250 in total. Could it be something to do with that?

Any ideas?

Thanks
Sadie.

 

Is it stock?

The bikes are set to run lean, and can run a little funky when cold.
Mine runs a bit rough when cold since I bashed out the baffles in the exhaust.

I hear getting a tuner or maybe a download eliminates the surging and so on...

Brett

 

Oh, also, the primary chain being loose can also make the bike feel odd at low speeds.
With your low miles, maybe its never been adjusted?

Brett

 

Yes it's stock. I would say nothing's been adjusted yet as it's barely done any mileage. Thanks for the suggestions

 

A good warm-up is critical on the EFI bikes when stock. This is especially true of the '07's, as HD didn't quite have the EFI dialed in. Start the bike, then get your riding gear on, then you can get on and ride. It will still be a little rough at low speeds, but not as bad. You can also tighten the thumb screw a little bit, which will smooth out your throttle inputs, again easing the coughing issue. Unfortunately, with as lean as these run, some coughing is a part of life unless you add an XIED or similar richening circuit.

 

Ok thanks. I'll make sure it gets a good warm up before I take it home later and see if that is any better. Like I said, normally the hotter it gets the better it runs

 

No sweat. My local mechanic says the '07's should warm up for 5 minutes before riding. I'm not that patient, but I gave mine a good three most of the time.

 

My bet would be the primary chain needs adjusting. When that gets loose, it makes the bike run rough, but only at slow speeds. Just like you said, it feels like it is coughing, and none of the gears seems right. Yep, I'd bet it's the primary chain.

And yes, they will stretch a bit, especially when new. It's a simple adjustment to do too.

 

With less than 300 miles on it, I'll pretty much guarantee that the primary chain is fine.

 

Hmmm.. A few things to think about, thanks for the help. Quick question, if I get SE or V&H slip ons and stage 1 will that help with low speed coughing? And does Fuelpak count as stage 1 or is that something totally different? And what kind of mileage would you say I'd need to have the primary chain adjusted?

Sorry for my ignorance, I'm very new to this type of bike