Rough riding
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 57
From: St. Augustine, FL
Rough riding
I just got home from a running errands on the bike for several hours. After riding for a while and getting it warmed up, it is suddenly starting to feel like it's lugging under 2000 rpm's (like it's in too high of a gear, even in first). When I'm traveling at slow speeds it is vibrating pretty badly, and I noticed that it's idling rougher at stops. A couple of times when I took off from a stop I also noticed a "klunk, klunk" sound. It didn't sound like an internal engine noise, but more like a loose metal part hanging down and hitting the frame, but I thoroughly inspected it when I got home and didn't find anything loose. The only difference today is that it was in the 40's during my ride and I've never ridden it below probably 60. Is it possible the cooler weather is causing some of this behavior, or does it sound like something more serious?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,473
Likes: 3,950
From: Vermont
First clarify your statement. Are you indeed riding it under 2000 RPM's or it is just feeling like it is under 2000 RPM's but the tach says otherwise. Secondly, the bike loves cooler weather as it is air cooled. They generally run much better. Does the noise sound like it is coming from the primary?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 57
From: St. Augustine, FL
First clarify your statement. Are you indeed riding it under 2000 RPM's or it is just feeling like it is under 2000 RPM's but the tach says otherwise. Secondly, the bike loves cooler weather as it is air cooled. They generally run much better. Does the noise sound like it is coming from the primary?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,473
Likes: 3,950
From: Vermont
If you are under 2000 RPM's then you are lugging it and you would be hearing noises associated with lugging. Unless I'm not understanding you correctly. The later models (08 and up) have been notorious for clanky and noisy primaries as well.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 57
From: St. Augustine, FL
I suppose you're right, I've just never noticed it like this before. As far as the noises go, I blew my cigarette lighter fuse today so my Hogtunes weren't working. Therefore, I had no tunes and had to listen to the engine. So I'm sure it's probably normal noises that have been covered by the radio before. I do feel the low rpm lugging is worse than usual so I'll keep an eye on it. Hopefully it's my imagination. Thank you for your input.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
I suppose you're right, I've just never noticed it like this before. As far as the noises go, I blew my cigarette lighter fuse today so my Hogtunes weren't working. Therefore, I had no tunes and had to listen to the engine. So I'm sure it's probably normal noises that have been covered by the radio before. I do feel the low rpm lugging is worse than usual so I'll keep an eye on it. Hopefully it's my imagination. Thank you for your input.
Also, are you a 'tank topper' who doesn't wait until nearly empty before filling? If so, get out of the habit because you're paying for at least a gallon of gas left in the pump and hose from the last guy in most cases. If the last guy got regular than that's what you just got even though you paid for good stuff.
A riding buddy taught me to wait for a guy getting premium and try to fill just after him and run as close to empty as I can to get the highest true percentage of premium as I can get.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17,717
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From: NY
I'd try adding some Seafoam. If there is any crap in the tank or a gummed up fuel system it'll clean it out.
When was the last time you changed the fluid in all 3 holes.
When was the last time you changed the fluid in all 3 holes.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 755
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From: St. Augustine, FL
I just changed all three and switched to synthetic about 700 miles ago. It only has 1500 miles now.
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