engines dies ... sometimes

[erik]

I just read through both PlumberJim's and Leadsled's posts about having engine trouble, as they seemed similar to mine, but not exactly the same.

I haven't had a chance to really start trouble shooting it yet, but wanted to post and see what others thought it may be, because I'm kind of at a loss... here's the story/details other then some basic stuff like spark plug, etc.

This past weekend I wasn't able to finish the ride, needed a tow home. The ride was pretty muddy, but I've been in worse, and it was a bit wet, but I'd been in A LOT worse. I just rode for 3-4 hours the day earlier in similar conditions, no problem. Anyhow, so I was humming along fine around 5500 rpm, then it missed a beat, and engine was clearly not running right, lost power and died on me. Tried to restart, after a several cranks it goes, but sounds rough runs a few seconds and then dies... wait a mine and then managed to get it started again... was not starting nicely but I was able to get it going... then seemed to idle ok. Rev the shit out of it, bounce it off the rev limiter, engine is sounding ok. However as soon as I put it in gear and tried to give gas, it died (High or Low). seemed like not enough fuel or air, but it was revving and running in neutral fine.... I opening the air filter box, and no water, everything looked good. then a few hours later I tried again... same thing... but I decided to try Reverse, and it ran fine in reverse... WTF... got it on the trailer in reverse and took it home. Got home the next day, started it up just fine, put it in low, drove off the trailer just fine. washed it, moved it around the driveway a bit, everything seems fine now... but I can't trust that... going to take it to a back road this week and try some more testing.

One other thing: When I was getting it on the trailer to get back to base, I used the winch, since it wouldn't go forward (didn't consider Reverse at this point) and I had the bike running in neutral so it wouldn't drain the battery as much, well as soon as I press the 'in' button on the winch the engine dies. This as me thinking it might be something electrical???

Pretty frustrating getting towed home, this thing has been pretty bullet proof for a lot of rides... hoping to fix this, but intermittent issues ARE THE WORST to deal with!!!!

thanks for any suggestions or tips.

[LeadSled01]

Mine started acting like yours and got worst as the miles went up.

[erik]

Mine started acting like yours and got worst as the miles went up.

cleaning the fuel injector was your solution? Did you have the same problems with it dieing in gear?

[Jimbo]

Sounds like a bad battery or charging system to me, spark draining battery and possibly intermittent charging. Or...plugged fuel tank vent or water in fuel or other fuel issue.

[LeadSled01]

Yep started out dieing in gear then rough idle and got worst.

cleaning the fuel injector was your solution? Did you have the same problems with it dieing in gear?

[erik]

Yep started out dieing in gear then rough idle and got worst.

ok that's kind of promising. I've cleaned fuel injectors on my sport bike before, so that shouldn't be too bad. Guess I better clean out the gas tank too so it doesn't happen again. What's the fuel filter like on these? not good enough I guess.... I also saw you mentioned about being careful with around the gas cap when fueling, it can be pretty dirty there... I have noticed the same, and tried to be extra careful not to let anything in, but yeah you never know. need to be 'super anal' I think was what you said.

Thanks for your input!

[LeadSled01]

Even if that ain't your problem it can't hurt.

ok that's kind of promising. I've cleaned fuel injectors on my sport bike before, so that shouldn't be too bad. Guess I better clean out the gas tank too so it doesn't happen again. What's the fuel filter like on these? not good enough I guess.... I also saw you mentioned about being careful with around the gas cap when fueling, it can be pretty dirty there... I have noticed the same, and tried to be extra careful not to let anything in, but yeah you never know. need to be 'super anal' I think was what you said.

Thanks for your input!

[Budro2]

Keep us posted Erik. This is the best kind of discussion on the forum cause one day it happens to me and I don’t have to pull out what little hair I have left and i just get to fix it!

Hopefully we discover a pattern here! I’d be curious if the injector was the problem with Plumberjims too, before he throws in the towel and changes brands!

[Plumberjim]

I cleaned the fuel tank and checked and cleaned the fuel injector. The dealer did the same also. Jim

[Plumberjim]

I have already changed brands.
Just waiting to pick up the new machine. Jim