I've been noticing that my bike idles / sounds different when it's hot. Like I got caught in traffic on I-4 from an accident, and after sitting in traffic for a while - or after I ride a couple of hundred miles and then hit traffic. Is this normal?

 

I think that what's called EITMS mode, and it is normal!

 

Sounds like maybe EITMS (engine idle temperature management) is kicking in, so yes, it's normal.

 

If the bike is relately new (not sure of the year of this feature) it sounds like you went into the "so called parade mode" where the ECM quits delivering fuel to the rear cylinder to keep the motor cooler.

 

Thanks. Good to know. I feel better now!

 

This is in your owner's manual. You DID read your manual, didn't you? I keep mine in the bathroom, and skim through it whenever I am indisposed. Great toilet reading.

 

Eitms shuts down the rear cylinder. I haven't experienced it, but it seems like it would be very noticeable. However, I don't know about 08s, but my 06 has a heat management system. It's 4 stages, I believe the first 2 lower the idle rpm, and 1 of the last 2 randomly shut the cylinders down. I can't think of what the other stage does.

 

There's also a spark temperature correction factor. The hotter the motor gets, the more timing gets pulled. That'll make the motor sound different too.

 

...and (at least on 04 touring bikes) there's a Eng Temp versus Idle Speed table in the ECM. The hotter the engine gets, the lower the idle goes... On my bike, the idle gets noticeably rougher (still hitting on both cylinders) when it's a hot day, and I'm stopped.

Alan