I rode home today in fairly heavy rain... and I encountered some problems near the end of my ride. The first portion of my ride (~10 miles) was freeway and there were no problems (or none that I could discern, I wasn't really paying attention at the time :icon_neutral:). At the end of the freeway is a stop-light, where I had to stop. This is where I first noticed the following:
- Low Idle. The bike was idling around 1000 rpm. (The dealer set it at 1500 after its break-in visit, and I've kept it there)
- When easing off the clutch at the green light, the bike died. I was able to get it restarted again, but acceleration was poor (poorer than usual ;) ).
- Surging - I was crossing a bridge right after the light, slowly accelerating and getting ready to pull over to the side of the road, when the engine suddenly came back and surged forward. It then proceeded to return to its previous state (not working right)
- After pulling to the side of the road, the sound that the bike was making wasn't quite what I'm used to hearing....
The bike had no problem starting, and it didn't die when the throttle was applied, as other members had described(as seen via search). I was able to ride home - probably not the best idea, but the only option I had - and when I got home I noticed there was some ... puffy stuff in the air. I am assuming it is just condensation or steam from the engine, as my breath was also creating a thick cloud.
Anyone have any ideas about what might have gone wrong?
A few things about my bike I guess...06 F model, garage kept, never had any problems before, ~4900 miles. I didn't winterize the bike, since I wanted to (and did) ride it when possible over the winter. Fresh gas last week, 160 miles on the tank (so there should be plenty) and the behavior wasn't similar to previous situations where I've had low fuel.
Unfortunately, I am not mechanically inclined :cry:, so if you have any suggestions please describe them as simply as possible.
Thanks
I have an '04 F and I've noticed that every once in a while I guess he gets extra thirsty and will have to change at around 150! Most times it is around 180 before reserve. It may be that you did not put in as much as you normally would etc..
Just a thought!
Mary
Put gas in the tank. When you get low on gas, it will behave like that, and chances are you either didn't fill up the tank the same way as usual, or didn't get the same mileage you normally do. I'd fill up the tank and if the problem didn't happen again, just chock it up to low fuel level. As for the idle, the idle was adjusted (hopefully) for a 1200 RPM idle when the bike was warm on the day it was adjusted. As the weather changes, the density of air changes and the idle will need to be adjusted to take that into account. Fuel injected vehicles will do this automatically, but the GS has no such smarts, so you'll have to do it yourself. It is a super simple procedure though: just get the bike nice and warmed up (go for a nice ride, or just do it when you get home from work or whatever) than turn the idle screw until the bike is at 1200 RPM. The idle screw is the big one hanging below the center of the carbs, it is hard to miss and meant to be adjusted by hand, no tools required. If you do a search, I'm sure you can find a nice picture of the idle screw so you'll know what you're looking for. This is one of the easiest adjustments to make on your bike, think of it the same way you think about checking your tire pressure or oil.
As for riding in the rain, as you found out, it isn't that bad. Just make sure to be prepared with some nice waterproof gear and be aware that your stopping distance will increase. One thing I like to do is remind myself just how slippery it is by getting into a rear wheel skid right as I'm leaving for work. Nothing crazy, I just find a nice empty road, and as I'm coming up to a stop sign I lock up the rear brake at low speed. It not only serves as valuable rear wheel skid practice, it gives you a good idea of what kind of traction you're getting when the roads are wet. You'd be surprised by how little there can be...
I never would have thought to look to the gas tank! Thanks for the advice.
As for the idle, the bike got its initial tune-up on a hot July day, and it was set at 1500. I don't know if this is just a delusion, but the throttle response seems better at 1500 so I've kept it - despite knowing that the recommended idle is at 1200.
It is kinda funny you mention the idle thing. The first time we adjusted the idle was in the Middle of August in Florida. Feburary seems to be our worst month and my idle was quite erratic except it just idled at 4000rpm. The shop for free readjusted it now it runs beautifully. Seems a little backwards though.
Mary
Carburetion changes with temperature, more oxygen when colder. With an idle set at 1500, you will consume more gas, thus you might have already been low on gas.
It is best to set the idle to 1200 on a cold day, as in winter; it should be fine from then on all year (except when you adjust the valves and synchronize the carburetors every 4000 miles).
Riding in the rain is hella fun! http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=281569&page=2
See if you can spot my bike. :)
Its hard to say without actually being there (and I'm pretty far away!) but it could possibly be that one plug was cutting out (one cap not on tight, water gets under it?). That would explain the stall, and the surging would be as that plug starts firing again. If the problem only occurs in wet weather, you're probably getting water in the ignition somewhere.
I'd suggest pulling the plugs, checking the gaps and reinstalling with caps on firmly, wipe any dirt off the plugs and leads and a spray of WD40 or similar on the leads and coils.
Howdy neighbor! Your bike is practically new, so there are only two things to consider I think. First, like the others said make sure you're not low on fuel. Secondly, it's still cold in WNY, and riding in the rain when it's 40 degrees will chill your engine way down. A cold GS doesn't run smoothly as we all know. If you had enough gas, the solution was to add a little choke. It takes our bike a long time to warm-up in cold weather. I keep my choke wherever I need to in order to keep the idle around 1200-1500. I use the idle speed as an indicator of engine temperature, and it takes about 20 minutes riding in cold weather (under 50) for it to warm-up enough to idle at 1200 with no choke. If it's cold and raining, I have to keep the choke on the whole trip.
Thanks for all the advice.
I've been averaging about 54 mpg with the idle set at 1500, so I don't think that is the cause... my bike also had plenty of gas. I also enjoy riding in the rain.
Quote from: the mole on March 09, 2009, 03:56:42 PM
Its hard to say without actually being there (and I'm pretty far away!) but it could possibly be that one plug was cutting out (one cap not on tight, water gets under it?). That would explain the stall, and the surging would be as that plug starts firing again. If the problem only occurs in wet weather, you're probably getting water in the ignition somewhere.
I'd suggest pulling the plugs, checking the gaps and reinstalling with caps on firmly, wipe any dirt off the plugs and leads and a spray of WD40 or similar on the leads and coils.
This was one of my thoughts (based on the mechanical knowledge I've gained on this site - Thanks gstwin.com 8) ), and I will check this as soon as possible. There was a lot of rain here this past weekend, so either this might be what happened, the engine was really struggling to stay warm in the (pretty cold) rain, or something more sinister is afoot - personally I hope its one of the first two.
It's just one of your plugs cutting out, happened on my honda rebel all the time in heavy rain. Not so much the gs because of the fairing. But another tip is to wipe the inside of the spark plug boot with a bunched up towel dipped in wd-40. This'll clean out dirt, as dirt and water can short the plug to the engine quite readily cutting your spark off.
Sounds like one cylinder cutting out in the rain to me too. Used to happen on my Hondas when water got in the plug caps but that hasn't happened to me on the GSs due to a different plug cap design. I've had a plug cut out on my 02 GS in the rain due to a loose plug wire in the coil shorting out. The plug wires should be tight in the coils, pull the plug caps and see if they will turn. If you have a loose one unscrew it and put a heavy dab of diaelectric on the plug wire after you cut a bit off and screw it in tight. Wires are bonded into coils and considered one piece when new but they can come loose.
When I ride in the same conditions in the same area he lives in I have to keep the choke on the whole trip. The GS just WILL NOT run smoothly with no choke in a 40 degree rain storm.