Getting fed up with the surging
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 7
From: USA
Getting fed up with the surging
My 2011 XL1200C has a surge when running around 38 to 39 mph in 3rd gear. This surging is not real bad but it is enough to notice.
It will also surge at 47 to 48 in 4th.
This is all while riding on flat and level at constant speed.
The dealer said it is normal, but I am not too sure.
Also this load ticking from the engine is getting annoying, I know that the valve train on these things tick, but this thing is so noisy that I can hear the ticking at 50 mph with a half helmet on.
I was concerned about a exhaust leak but I really can't hear anything when I get down ant listen to the exhaust headers at the flange where the headers bolt to the head.
But even so I took my torque wrench and torqued the nuts to 115 inch pounds.
They where a little loose but not much.
The ticking gets worst after the engine and oil warms up (makes sense).
But how do I know when I am getting too much noise?
Oh and BTW this bike is completely stock and I am running HD conventional 20W50 oil and running 93 octane gas.
It will also surge at 47 to 48 in 4th.
This is all while riding on flat and level at constant speed.
The dealer said it is normal, but I am not too sure.
Also this load ticking from the engine is getting annoying, I know that the valve train on these things tick, but this thing is so noisy that I can hear the ticking at 50 mph with a half helmet on.
I was concerned about a exhaust leak but I really can't hear anything when I get down ant listen to the exhaust headers at the flange where the headers bolt to the head.
But even so I took my torque wrench and torqued the nuts to 115 inch pounds.
They where a little loose but not much.
The ticking gets worst after the engine and oil warms up (makes sense).
But how do I know when I am getting too much noise?
Oh and BTW this bike is completely stock and I am running HD conventional 20W50 oil and running 93 octane gas.
Last edited by Falcon195; Jun 27, 2012 at 09:49 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 20
From: Shamokin, PA
I can hear a sewing machine like sound but louder on my bike, through all gears. This is normal. I think most people read too much into it as far as the noises go. Lifters and camshaft went on my jeep awhile back. When you have a problem you'll really hear/notice it.
As far as the surging take it to a different dealer and have them look at it.
As far as the surging take it to a different dealer and have them look at it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 8
From: Milwaukee, WI
First off, running stock pipes, you will hear everything. Even with my Rush slip-ons, I still hear engine noise. Either deal with it, get straight pipes, or sell the bike.
Instead of 3rd gear at 40 mph, drop it down to 2nd and instead of 4th gear at 50 mph, stay in 3rd and see if you notice a difference. At those speeds I am in those gears and my bike runs fine.
Instead of 3rd gear at 40 mph, drop it down to 2nd and instead of 4th gear at 50 mph, stay in 3rd and see if you notice a difference. At those speeds I am in those gears and my bike runs fine.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 24
From: New Hampshire
if you think it's tick-a-ticking loudly stock do not put in synthetic oil or higher lift cams in. if you do you'll know what a sewing machine on steroids sounds like! that's what sportsters are all about. i think you need a louder exhaust. you could easily stay in 1st gear to 35 or 40 mph.
40 in 3rd is only about 2800 rpm i personally consider anything below 2500 lugging the motor. i think you need to get a tach on there and don't shift until at least 4000-4500 rpm. with a 1200 you shouldn't really be in 5th if you are under 60 mph and could stay in 4th until 80 no problem. 50 in 5th is about 2400 rpm once again lugging it to much. i usually don't shift to 5th until 60 with my 883 gearing(which is lower than 1200) and that is 4000-4200 in 4th. if you try cruising around at 3000-3500 rpm i think you will find it much smoother and sounding better. lugging the motor makes it sound really clunky! plus makes it feel like it is surging. wind it up they like it. you can't blow it up the rev limiter will not allow you too! The only reason to ride it easier is during break in.
heres an rpm vs. speed chart
40 in 3rd is only about 2800 rpm i personally consider anything below 2500 lugging the motor. i think you need to get a tach on there and don't shift until at least 4000-4500 rpm. with a 1200 you shouldn't really be in 5th if you are under 60 mph and could stay in 4th until 80 no problem. 50 in 5th is about 2400 rpm once again lugging it to much. i usually don't shift to 5th until 60 with my 883 gearing(which is lower than 1200) and that is 4000-4200 in 4th. if you try cruising around at 3000-3500 rpm i think you will find it much smoother and sounding better. lugging the motor makes it sound really clunky! plus makes it feel like it is surging. wind it up they like it. you can't blow it up the rev limiter will not allow you too! The only reason to ride it easier is during break in.
heres an rpm vs. speed chart
Last edited by IRON1250; Jun 28, 2012 at 02:25 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 7
From: USA
I tried cruising at 38 in 2nd but the engine makes so much racket and vibration it sounds like it is going to grenade. Oh and BTW the surging goes away when I am cruising in 3rd at 35 mph, so I guess that eliminates the lugging issue.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse
Nice dealer huh?
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 855
Likes: 2
From: Bonaire, Ga.
My 2011 XL1200C has a surge when running around 38 to 39 mph in 3rd gear. This surging is not real bad but it is enough to notice.
It will also surge at 47 to 48 in 4th.
This is all while riding on flat and level at constant speed.
The dealer said it is normal, but I am not too sure.
It will also surge at 47 to 48 in 4th.
This is all while riding on flat and level at constant speed.
The dealer said it is normal, but I am not too sure.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
I cured that surging on my 2007 1200C by installing a PCIII at about the 1,200 mile mark. No only did it cure the surging but the throttle is now very rheostat like. You can also lower that luggy feel by at least 5 mph, in other words my bike will now accelerate smoothly from 50 mph in 5th gear if I choose to do it. The hiccup and die right after startup is also gone.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 8
From: Milwaukee, WI
Cruising in 3rd at 35 mph? Oh dear Lord. You are riding a Sportster, so get used to the noise. If you think it is too noisy, deal with it or sell it. Just being honest with you. Open the bike up and let it free. Putting around going 35 in 3rd gear is putting more strain on the engine at that low of an RPM.