Canton/Woodstock, GA TPS Reset help?

[dawgs1850]

So here’s the scenario: I have a 2006 XB9R with almost 10K miles. It has a K&N filter, Jardine RT-One exhaust, and I’m not sure if it has a factory or race ECM. I’ve owned it for a couple of years and haven’t had ANY problems. I noticed towards the end of last year the clock would reset when the bike was cranked and assumed the battery was starting to die. I didn’t want to replace the battery just to let it sit through the winter, so I hooked up a battery tender to the existing battery.

Fast forward to February of this year…went for a ½ day ride and had no problems. Since then I have ridden it sporadically due to breaking a bone in my hand. In late February and March I cranked the bike a couple of times to get it warm and noticed it would no longer idle consistently. For the first couple of minutes after cranking it will idle around 1100 – 1200 RPMs, but as the bike warms up it starts to cough and will occasionally stall. If I let it cough and sputter for a few minutes and then drive the bike, there is a delay in the throttle until it backfires, and then everything is fine until it idles again. I assumed the problem was (at least partially) due to the dying battery, so about 2 weeks ago I replaced it. The bike cranks much better now and the clock no longer resets, but the idle issue is still there. I rode for about an hour and had constant idle problems at every red light/stop sign, but no loss of power while moving.

I’m not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but after reading a number of threads on this site I’m thinking a TPS reset MAY solve my problem. I don’t want to attempt to use ECMSpy and perform my own TPS reset as I honestly don’t trust myself, so I’ve got two questions:

1. Based on the information above, would a TPS reset potentially solve my idle issue?
2. Is there anyone in the Canton/Woodstock, GA area with a Buell that is comfortable using ECMSpy and could help me out? The bike is completely rideable so I can come to you. The only challenge is time as I work full time and have two small kids and a wife to keep happy.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide, and please let me know if you need any additional information. This site has been a huge help to me so far. I’ve got my owner’s manual and hope to get more hands-on in the future.

Thanks again!

 

[djs2k2]

Not a Georgia bulldog's fan are we? Go Falcons!!!!!!

 

[dawgs1850]

Absolutely...go dawgs! The Falcons haven't had much to cheer about, but I'm still a fan!

 

[djs2k2]

Loved mike smith I would have kept him, but can't wait to check this new coach out!

 

[Chicknstripn]

Have you watched the TPS reset video? It's actually quite simple.
Also, sounds like you might have an intake leak. Look that up.
Also look up how to test for such leak.
The way I've check for an intake leak is to remove the air scoops/covers on the sides of the bike. Take a can of carb cleaner and spray at the base of your throttle body. Do this while the bike is running. Since you're having idle issue you might want to take the bike for a ride before you try testing for a leak. This way the engine will be nice and warm and idle better than cold.
While spraying the carb cleaner listen for any change in your idle speed/engine behavior. You don't need to spray much. Just a few spurts at a time. Make sure you aim for the area where the throttle body and heads meet.
Anyway, any change in idle speed or engine behavior and you have an intake leak.
Good luck!

 

[dawgs1850]

Thanks for the help...I will definitely follow the steps and look for an intake leak. Based on the symptoms, would a TPS reset still be worthwhile or beneficial at all?

 

[Chicknstripn]

TPS resets don't work so well when an intake leak is present. Testing for the intake leak is pretty easy. Rule that out and then go for the TPS reset.
Also, the TPS reset might not seem to "work" at first. You'll need to ride the bike for about 20min after the reset for the ECM to learn the new parameters of the reset. During that first ride avoid redline shifts and try to go through each gear nice and easy. Think of it as a short Sunday ride.
Good luck

 

[dawgs1850]

I'll give it a shot. Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[kd4gru]

There is guy in Calhoun that is real good with ECM work. He can also reprogram ECM. He has done both a ULY & XB for me. Completely satisfied.

 

[dawgs1850]

kd4gru, thanks for the information. Do you happen to have a name/number? Calhoun is only about 45 minutes from me.

 

[kd4gru]

Nelson Bruno if # has not changed. 706-263-9260. He works out of town Monday to Thursday. Try Fridays/Sunday.

 

[dawgs1850]

Great, thanks for the help! One last question...does he run a business or is he just an Buell/motorcycle enthusiast?

 

[dawgs1850]

As an update, I checked for intake leaks and couldn't find any. While I had the scoops off I went ahead and changed the plugs and cleaned the intake/throttle. Cranked it back up and it ran PERFECT. Still haven't performed a TPS reset, but the inconsistent idle is GONE! Like everyone else has said, check the easy/cheap things first.

It looks like the plugs were the problem. Thanks again for ALL the help and advice on this post and others...it makes troubleshooting and fixing problems much easier.