High Idling question. 2008 or wait?
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 394
Likes: 29
From: Georgia
High Idling question. 2008 or wait?
This is my first post, but I've been lurking (ie LEARNING) at HDForums for quite some time. \\; This has got to be one of the most informative Harley-Davidson sites on the internet. \\; Anyways, I think I found the bike I want. \\; It's a black 08 FLHT (build date May 2008). \\; This dealer really wants me to take it out for a test ride. \\; I want to see if I can duplicate the high idle issue to see if this particular bike is going to be a problem before I put my deposit on it. \\; Makes sense.
What do I need to do to see if I can replicate the high-idle problem. \\; Obviously I could save myself a headache if I can replicate the problem before I purchase the bike. \\; It seems like everybody (including the dealer I spoke to today) has heard about this issue. \\; So I don't doubt it exists. \\; What can I do to see if I'm going to buy a problem bike? \\; I need specific instructions. \\; Just keep in mind I won't be able to take a 50 mile tour. \\; Can I replicate it in about 5 miles?
Thanx,
Ben
What do I need to do to see if I can replicate the high-idle problem. \\; Obviously I could save myself a headache if I can replicate the problem before I purchase the bike. \\; It seems like everybody (including the dealer I spoke to today) has heard about this issue. \\; So I don't doubt it exists. \\; What can I do to see if I'm going to buy a problem bike? \\; I need specific instructions. \\; Just keep in mind I won't be able to take a 50 mile tour. \\; Can I replicate it in about 5 miles?
Thanx,
Ben
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
RE: High Idling question. 2008 or wait?
If you are one that, for some reason, like to shut the engine down with the throttle at something above idle, you might be able to force the problem. My bike has 7500 miles on it and I've never had the high idle "problem".
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,294
Likes: 33
From: Po-Dunk Looziana
RE: High Idling question. 2008 or wait?
The problem is real hit and miss. \\; The technological explanation for its etiology is how the ECM reads the throttle position at the time the power is turned off. \\; Some ECM's exhibit the high idle behavior at various times, others may not have a problem with it at all. \\; I guess you could try running the bike and leaving the throttle cracked open a bit when shutting it off, do this 4-5 times and see if the idle RPM climbs with each successive starting.
I have mixed feelings about the issue as do our techs, but to start a complaint on a pandemic level is a bit premature. \\; Harley will fix the problem, it will just take time to isolate and then generate a definitive fix for ALL bikes to alleviate this hit and miss phenomenon.
I have mixed feelings about the issue as do our techs, but to start a complaint on a pandemic level is a bit premature. \\; Harley will fix the problem, it will just take time to isolate and then generate a definitive fix for ALL bikes to alleviate this hit and miss phenomenon.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From:
RE: High Idling question. 2008 or wait?
I trade the old fat boy for a 08 ultra last week and here is how the dealer explained it to me. If your hand is putting pressure on the throttle when you turn the key on the computer will screw up and the idle will be high. Resetting it is as simple as keeping your throttle hand at your side and turning the key on and off four times (wait about 4 second in each position). Sure enough on day two I tweaked the throttle a little while turning on the key and experienced the high idle (2500-RPM) issue. I pulled over did the slow four times on and off while keeping my hands to myself and it went right back to a regular idle.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 33
From: Lewisberry PA
RE: High Idling question. 2008 or wait?
I agree, duplicating the high throttle is something you may or may not be able to do. \\; If you are sure you want the 08 and you have the price you want. \\; I would not hesitate because of the high throttle.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
RE: High Idling question. 2008 or wait?
The idle problem is not a big deal! Just let it idle down before you kill it. I've never had the problem and most people don't. I still think the reason HD wanted people to kill the bike with the ignition switch instead of the run-stop button was to get your hand off the throttle. Don't worry about it. \\;
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
RE: High Idling question. 2008 or wait?
I had the problem on an 08. I started shutting down using the
key and that stopped it. Just for the heck of it, I started using
the kill switch to shut down. I was careful that I removed my
hand from the throttle, before I hit the kill switch. Still had no
problem. It was hard for me to believe, but the dealer was right.
I had been turning the throttle before just a little bit before.
That was all it took to create my own high idle problem.
key and that stopped it. Just for the heck of it, I started using
the kill switch to shut down. I was careful that I removed my
hand from the throttle, before I hit the kill switch. Still had no
problem. It was hard for me to believe, but the dealer was right.
I had been turning the throttle before just a little bit before.
That was all it took to create my own high idle problem.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
RE: High Idling question. 2008 or wait?
ORIGINAL: RoadKingCop
I want to see if I can duplicate the high idle issue to see if this particular bike is going to be a problem before I put my deposit on it. \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; Makes sense.
I want to see if I can duplicate the high idle issue to see if this particular bike is going to be a problem before I put my deposit on it. \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; Makes sense.
It seems like everybody (including the dealer I spoke to today) has heard about this issue. So I don't doubt it exists.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 6
From: Baa Haaba, Maine
RE: High Idling question. 2008 or wait?
Buy it, you'll be happier in the long run rather than waiting for a bike. I have had the 'High Idle' problem on my 08 SG ONCE. That was after I read the panic threads about the problem here, and decided that I shouldn't use the kill switch to shut off my bike....so the once time I shut the bike off using the key switch on the fork, I get the high idle problem. I stopped using the key lock and kept on using the kill switch like I have for the last 25 years I've been riding HD's, and no problems whatsoever....