When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
In. being worked on. I was told there is a buletin for the problem and it's an easy fix. supposedly, the idle needs a new download. If nothing else the dealer's service is at least knowledgeable and don't feed you BS.
There is a story behind it but in a nut shell the place is NOT happy with any bike that has repeat problems. That came from a family member who works for the dealer. The owner/general manager is type A and doesn't want repeats.
3 months ago, he gave a brand new bike with more options to a guy and added 3k in stuff just to resolve a repeat issue. It was an extreme case but he doesn't fool around. We shall see.
Not expecting anything and getting my ducks in a row to cover my self. common sense says that it isn't needed.
Supposedly, the lead tech is in contact with H-D right now and covering all bases. My relative will hopefully keep the ball rolling.
sorry to vent guys.....nothing anyone can do but I just needed to vent.
Yea, I guess fly by wire creates a whole new set of problems. I'm getting an 09 RKC in a couple months, so I hope they've got the bugs worked out. Will let you guys know. Good luck on the bike Toe Knee....
Check (or have your dealer check) to verify every pin in the ECM connector is properly inserted. Two pins in mine were found to be not making good contact, leading to an intermittent TBW issue. No problems since it was corrected about 5K miles ago.
Boy...this all sounds pretty complicated, and this new throttle design is supposed to be better? This makes me love my '06 just a little bit more.
It is better. sounds to me his ECM put the bike into "limp home" mode (clearly outlined in the owner's manual). When the ECM discovers a problem - in order to protect the motorcycle from further damage, it enters Limp Home mode - to prevent over-revving, etc. could not do this with cables.
my friend who had 08 ultra also has this problem...idle fine but when give some throttle, idle jump up to 1500-2000...he very dissapointed now as in my country, the dealer know nothing about this....they say its normal for a tbw system .....wtf..??
u guys in the state are lucky, have a lot tech support from the dealer...
the first thing a person should do is read the owner's manual cover to cover - If you are wating several days for the bike to be prepped, or accessories added, ask for the owners manual and READ IT!!!
Page 40 2008 touring Owner's Manual
ETC (electronic Throttle control)
The ETC monitors the status of the grip sensors, throttle plate actuation and airflow. If any problems are detected, the motorcycle will disable cruise control, illuminate the engine check lamp, and revert to one of the following fallback modes
ETC Limited Performance Mode
The rider will experience near normal operation. the motorcycle will operate with provisions to guard against unintended acceleration
ETC Power Management Mode
the throttle plate actuator returns to an "idle detent" or "Limp-Home" position, which will provide enough torque to achieve speed of about 25 mph. the motorcycle's response to grip sensor input is significantly reduced.
ETC Forced Idle Mode <-- SOUNDS LIKE YOUR SYMPTONS
the throttle plate actuator is forced to a "fast idle" position, which will provide enough torque to crawl, but not enough to operate at traffic speed
ETC Forced Shutdown Mode
the engine is forced to shutdown.
bottom line - yes, there is a problem, the symptoms you are experiencing are a reaction to the problem, not the problem itself.... hopefully a diagnostic code will reveal the true problem.
Yeah stupid stinking TBW! Stupid EFI! Stupid ECU! Stupid electric starter! Stupid disc brakes! The1903 model never had any of that stuff so it could never malfunction, why didn't they leave well enough alone and just keep selling that same bike for 105 years. Obviously anything new that I haven't used before is a stupid idea. Why did they have to go and change from great technology like drum brakes. Bunch of idiots.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.