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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 06:32 PM
  #1  
Sketz's Avatar
Sketz
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From: Territory of Tucson
Question Idle speed

Does anyone know if Harley came up with a permanent fix or download yet for the fast idle on start-up other than the ridiculous "ignition switch thingy" (On-off-on 4 times)
Forgot to mention - my bike is an 08 RK
 

Last edited by Sketz; Feb 19, 2009 at 06:35 PM. Reason: Bike year and model
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 07:25 PM
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EdwardK
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If the fast idle is only at start up, then your bike is probably doing what it's supposed to.

If the bike is cold or has been sitting for days, the ecm will automatically bump up the idle at start up acting as a choke. It can sometimes be pretty fast. When the bike warms up, it should idle down on it's own.

The "problem" with the fast idle will keep your idle high and never come down. If it is doing this and you are continually having to reset it, then you have a different problem. Either a faulty sensor of some kind, or the most common cause has been noted is shutting the bike off with the throttle slightly open. The ecm memorizes the last throttle position as zero. That's why the "ignition switch thingy" works. It resets your throttle zero.

If the idle comes back down to normal after riding a mile or two, I wouldn't worry about it. That's the way it should work. Mine does it regularly when I start it but is always running normally by the time I get to the main road. Have you ever seen someone trying to do a cold take off on a carbed bike? That's why the ecm bumps it up so we don't have to worry about it with fuel injection.

30,000 miles on my 08 RKC and it works great.
 
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 07:40 PM
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gunner11
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Mine does it every time I start it up, but by the time I get to the first stop sign a block away, it's back to normal.
 
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 07:40 PM
  #4  
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Thanks for the reply EdwardK, I should have been more specific. I understand the bike should run a littler faster at idle when cold - mine does that fine, however, today it did it's normal fast idle start, then settled down by the first traffic light. After I got to my destination and let it set for about an hour it started up at the higher RPM but continued with the higher idle speed (at the stop lights) the rest of the ride. Most likely I did what you said, turned the bike off with the throttle slightly open. I'll have to try the on-off crap I guess!!
Thanks
 
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