Limp Mode---back to Cable---ya ya ya
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 5
From: Sunnyvale, Ca.
So ten minutes later you were on your way? When your new throttle cables break, how long is it going to take to get back on your way again? I love the TBW. No lube, no stretch, no adjustment, and when one of the pot's fail in the assembly, the engine light comes on and tells you you have a problem. The assembly takes less then ten minutes to replace and can easily be done by yourself. I have had mine fail once and go into limited performance ( I couldn't tell the difference ) and rode it like that every day for over a week befor having it replaced but I have never had it go into limp mode. But even then, limp mode has to be better than a broke cable.
TBW: Until yours goes into Limp Mode you just can't understand....
I'm looking at Throttle sensor and Thottle Pos. Senor $ 390.00
VS 2 Cables that may need to be replaced every 20k miles $50.00
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/521-205
Throttle Cable Repair Kit
With this handy little kit you have everything needed to replace a broken inner wire throttle cable
There is no need to remove the outer sleeve to make the repair
Includes 60″ of cable, 1 extra throttle locking barrel and one carburetor set screw locking barrel with an allen wrench
It comes in a convenient to store tin A must for your tool pouch or saddlebags on those long road trips
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 5
From: Sunnyvale, Ca.
+1 
It's gonna take a while and maybe a tow truck, just like a TBW bike in limp mode unless you're REAL close to a dealership. We're talking 15-20 mph max which is dangerous as hell in traffic and you better not have to go up a hill. When you change a throttle cable, it ain't gonna break again very soon, unlike limp mode, which pops up randomly unless you get it fixed right, and I'm beginning to wonder if that'll ever happen.
I like the TBW, too, no lube, no stretch, no adjustment. As far as the engine light, you don't need a light to tell you that your bike went into limp mode. Checking the codes that are thrown can help you find where the problem(s) are. I'd like to see you fix a real limp mode problem (not shut the bike off and turn it back on or wiggle a wire til it works for a little while) in 10 minutes. There's lot's of things that cause limp mode. There's the grip sensor, the throttle body sensors, a lot of wiring and several plugs.
Let it go into limp mode repeatedly and see if you don't change your mind. Limp mode is good to get you to the shoulder of the road.
I'm glad you don't have limp mode problems. You can't understand how frustrating and unsafe it can be.
I like the TBW, too, no lube, no stretch, no adjustment. As far as the engine light, you don't need a light to tell you that your bike went into limp mode. Checking the codes that are thrown can help you find where the problem(s) are. I'd like to see you fix a real limp mode problem (not shut the bike off and turn it back on or wiggle a wire til it works for a little while) in 10 minutes. There's lot's of things that cause limp mode. There's the grip sensor, the throttle body sensors, a lot of wiring and several plugs.
Let it go into limp mode repeatedly and see if you don't change your mind. Limp mode is good to get you to the shoulder of the road.
I'm glad you don't have limp mode problems. You can't understand how frustrating and unsafe it can be.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
Limp Mode: 46,600 miles First time it happens to us on Hwy 88 in N. Calif. near Kirkwood.. 2009: did the TSB dielectric grease on Every Connection Point and every 6 months, bla bla bla 
Code P1151 pops up , but I did the re set computer reset code , pulled battery cables , pulled throttle body connectors sat for 10 min. and she ran great 220 miles...
QUESTION: Who makes a Kit to Change out this TBW ? Love to go back to Cable, when my rear view mirrors filled up with a semi, that was good for me....
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...de-my-fix.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...limp-mode.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-problem.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...read-this.html
Code P1151 pops up , but I did the re set computer reset code , pulled battery cables , pulled throttle body connectors sat for 10 min. and she ran great 220 miles...
QUESTION: Who makes a Kit to Change out this TBW ? Love to go back to Cable, when my rear view mirrors filled up with a semi, that was good for me....
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...de-my-fix.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...limp-mode.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...e-problem.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...read-this.html
Sorry about the off-subject post.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 169
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, MO.
I just went through the limp mode problems on my 2012. Fought it for a couple months, but my limp mode didn't get as bad as yours. I could get up to highway speeds, but taking off, it felt like I had half throttle. I chased wires, ran voltage, found the culprit wire, but couldn't find the root cause. Ended up taking the bars off, looking for a bare wire. Nothing! Finally found it. The stupid grey plug going from the TBW sensor wouldn't stay plugged in the way it should. I ended up cutting the plug out and hard soldering it, Lots of heat shrink, reinstalled, and running great! One of the biggest issues with these things I've found is that little plug about 8" from your TBW sensor on your right bar side. I can believe Harley did this. On the SE models, it's not there. It's one of the few parts for the SE that actually costs less than the standard version and is better!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 35
From: Fl
As much as electronics are supposed to give us better running bikes, I can't help but miss the "good old days" of simpler mechanical designs. I was having problems with my Texas Chopper, dug out the S&S tuning instructions and had the Super G running like a champ in a few minutes. All this TBW stuff, computer diagnostics, electronic tuners, downloading maps, etc. is here to stay, but if Harley came out with a "retro" model equipped with a carbed motor and a kicker I bet it would sell like crazy.
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 20
From: Greater St Louis, MO
My 08 police motor went into limp mode a couple of weeks ago and our wrench determined there was a broken wire at the throttle actuator. He said there have been problems with the connections near the throttle body.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I just went through the limp mode problems on my 2012. Fought it for a couple months, but my limp mode didn't get as bad as yours. I could get up to highway speeds, but taking off, it felt like I had half throttle. I chased wires, ran voltage, found the culprit wire, but couldn't find the root cause. Ended up taking the bars off, looking for a bare wire. Nothing! Finally found it. The stupid grey plug going from the TBW sensor wouldn't stay plugged in the way it should. I ended up cutting the plug out and hard soldering it, Lots of heat shrink, reinstalled, and running great! One of the biggest issues with these things I've found is that little plug about 8" from your TBW sensor on your right bar side. I can believe Harley did this. On the SE models, it's not there. It's one of the few parts for the SE that actually costs less than the standard version and is better!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 16,125
Likes: 24
From: Linden New Jersey
i feel your frustration as a broken throttle cable is pretty easy to diagnose, as opposed to an electrical short circuit.
Saying this...........I know I just jinxed myself.............
I've been very happy with my tbw 08, first year you would think there would be bugs to work out.
Not 4 yrs later in production.
Hope you find the solution you are looking for
Saying this...........I know I just jinxed myself.............
I've been very happy with my tbw 08, first year you would think there would be bugs to work out.
Not 4 yrs later in production.
Hope you find the solution you are looking for