Any power at highway speeds in fifth gear??

[bcashjmu]

I just recently bought a 2009 XB12R with 5000 miles on it. Overall good condition. Starts up nice and quick. It has been laid down once by a previous owner but does not appear to have caused much damage (possibly low speed accident).

I am coming from a 2002 Kawasaki ZR7S (inline 4) and this is my first v-twin bike so I am still getting used to it. However, it doesn't feel right in 4th and 5th gear on the highway at 70mph. In 5th gear at that speed I am running just north of 3k rpms or so. When I go to WOT to pass someone, the bike does not go anywhere. On a hill, the bike actually slows down even at WOT. The effects are not as bad in 4th gear. When I drop to third i get some power back and can speed up.

IS THIS NORMAL?? [confused] It doesn't seem normal to me.

Thanks.

 

[Cooter]

So your max speed is +/- 70mph? That's not right.

 

[DSHUMAKER]

That is so not right it should still pull really hard in 5th at that speed.

 

[bcashjmu]

That's what I thought. My test ride before purchase was limited, so I didn't notice this issue. Any idea where to start looking for a resolution?? I might just take it to my local HD dealer for a diagnostics.

 

[thrstrmech]

I might just take it to my local HD dealer for a diagnostics

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

download the manual from buellmods.com, do some reading and ask questions like a mad man...between the manual and the forum, we can do much better than the stealerships that don't know shit, except to sell you HD merchandise!

make yourself a jumper in order to read codes if any...start there first, since you really don't know the history of the bike. if any codes are present, do some reading on the possible cause(s) and post your findings or questions. go for the root cause and not throw parts at it in hopes of trying to find out what's wrong. doing that can be costly and unnecessary. could be something simple or may not be.

 

[bcashjmu]

OK I will try that. Thanks. Just got home a little bit ago and looked around. I did find that one of my header bolts does not have a nut on it. Could an exhaust leak cause this?

 

[06xbss]

Your not getting enough air, fuel or spark. I'd start with checking the air filter, spark plugs and fresh tank of gas.

 

[Cooter]

It's could be throwing off the reading from the O2 sensor, but I doubt it would make that big a difference.

Fix it anyway.

 

[user_deleted]

slipping clutch? XB's in nice well-maintained conditon are torque monsters and pull very hard in every gear.

 

[Chicknstripn]

I agree with pretty much everything that has been previously stated.
I recommend you find an ECMspy cable. With the cable, a free download of ECMspy and this forum you should be able to fix any issue you come across. You will also be able to see what's going on with your air/fuel ratio and pretty much everything that is going on with the timing and fueling of your bike. Extremely powerful stuff. Also dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. So read up! And good luck! Also download a service manual so you can check all the basics, battery terminals, ground connections, clutch adjustment, spark plugs and wires, theTPS and the list could go on... Anyway do all that before you attempt any type of brain surgery.
BTW I got my ECMspy cable off amazon for less than thirty bucks a few years ago.

 

[mrlogix]

you stated

The effects are not as bad in 4th gear. When I drop to third i get some power back and can speed up.

check your oil level first. It's a new bike and you do not know a lot about the previous owner, Once that is done take the bike to a decently deserted flat area and do some power pulls from 2k to 6k in each gear. Note gear and rpm range and road speed where the power seems to fall off. Download ECMSpy (google search) and get a cable. upload the maps and post them here.We will be waiting.........

 

[DualSportDad]

When my fuel pump died on my xb9 the same thing happened. Shortly after my o2 sensor crapped out as well. Might as well do them at the same time.

 

[bcashjmu]

Thanks guys, I got the exhaust header stud nut that was missing replaced. I haven't had a chance to get the bike back out yet and the next few days will be busy at work or rain. I have ordered the ECMSpy cable and am waiting for it to arrive (est. delivery Monday 4/13). As soon as I can get a chance to mess with the bike I will post an update. Thanks again.

 

[go cytocis]

I am coming from a 2002 Kawasaki ZR7S (inline 4) and this is my first v-twin bike so I am still getting used to it....When I go to WOT to pass someone, the bike does not go anywhere....IS THIS NORMAL?? It doesn't seem normal to me.

Definitely sound like something's not right. I agree with the above suggestions to make sure your clutch isn't slipping & that the motor's tuned-up right.

Having said that, you'll still need to set your expectations. These HD V-twins pull well down low but they simply don't have the top-end rush of an I-4.

 

[bcashjmu]

Thanks, I understand they don't thrive in the upper rpm range but at 3k or so I would expect to not lose mph at WOT going 70mph up a small incline. I checked to make sure the air intake actuator on top of the intake assembly was working. With my limited experience with that piece, it appears to be working properly. It opens when I crack the throttle but not when I roll on the throttle easily.

 

[Chicknstripn]

I think dualsportdad may have hit the nail on the head. If the bike has ever sat for any length of time or if you've run some questionable fuel through it, you might want to pull the fuel pump. If the screens/filters are clogged you'll experience the problems you're describing.
Also, have you performed a TPS reset? From what I understand you don't need a cable or ECMspy to perform a reset on a 2008 or above buell. Look it up.
And again Good Luck

 

[bcashjmu]

I will try TPS reset. Maybe tonight. Thanks.

 

[gbalias]

my vote is fuel supply

 

[Cooter]

+1 on fuel supply. Including a bad O2 sensor, clogged filter/pump/injector.

 

[bcashjmu]

Would any of these be activating the SES light? My SES light is not on.