First Ride - running terrible!

[dmulligan]

Well, I took my new 2009 Lightning out for it's first run today and I didn't get far. I started the bike, let it warm up for about 5 minutes (per the dealer) and rode very smoothly as it only has 100 miles on it.

The thing was boggy and totally unresponsive. It felt like it might do 60mph tops. There was no feel of any torque. The bike never smoothed out between 2000-4000 rpm.

Unfortunately, I read (too late) on this board to NOT start it and run it into the garage which is exactly what I did when I brought it home yesterday. I'm guessed I fouled the plugs and it's probably running on one cylinder.

Any suggestions before I start tearing things apart in order to look at the spark plugs? Ugh!

 

[FIDOSOL]

Perfect time to upgrade to the iridium plugs, they perform exceptionally well, if you have to fix it you may as well upgrade.

Side Note - I don't know what everyone else is talking about, I have always started mine and let it set for at least a few minutes before I rode off onto it, and I have yet to foul a plug, maybe my bike just loves me. Also, to smooth out the lower rpm range do the breather re-route mod. It makes one hell of a difference, that link takes you to the main thread, parts list, cost, pics it's all there.

 

[dmulligan]

Thanks much FIDOSOL! I will try both.

 

[jsg]

I don't know what everyone else is talking about, I have always started mine and let it set for at least a few minutes before I rode off onto it, and I have yet to foul a plug, maybe my bike just loves me

Fido I think people refer to just start it to ear the sound and then turn it off.

 

[dmulligan]

Pulled the plugs and, as expected, front cylinder plug was completely fouled. New NGK Iridium's installed but won't be able to test drive until tomorrow evening...

 

[meetch]

That's crazy that plugs will foul this easily, I have been lucky so far especially with all the "start it up I wanna hear it" requests...

 

[EuropaChris]

I think the expressway to a fouled plug is giving the bike ANY throttle at all when cranking it or if it's popping and trying to start while cranking. We (the previous owner and I) fouled the plugs when I went to purchase the bike. It WAS cold (below freezing), but the battery was warm and charged. As he was trying to start it, he was giving it all sorts of gas.

I finally had to remove the plugs and hit them with the propane torch to burn off all the excess gas, where upon reinstalling the plugs, she fired right up.

Since then, I've installed Iridium's, and kept my hand totally off the throttle when starting. I just poke the little red button. I've tried to catch it once or twice with the throttle as it tried to start, and usually end up with a huge "bang" out of the Jardine. Lesson learned - keep the hands off! No problems since.

 

[taylor]

i fouled my plugs a few times when i first got my bike. starting it to just hear the exhaust run. im guessing you started yours a few times and only let it run for like 1 minute. thats the problem. just make sure when you do start the bike let it get to operating temp. im willing to bet if you do that you will have no problems.

 

[maybebuell]

why is it that buells have this problem with fouling plugs and efi harleys and sportsters dont...there has a be a problem from the factory with the fuel injection or mapping plugs should not be fouling no matter how long it idles cold....its running to rich bottom line

 

[boreas]

I may as well put my 2 cents in also- first day out with my city x same issue -fouled the plugs at the get go .No big deal I knew right away what it was.I have been riding 2 and four stroke dirt bikes for some time ,they do the exact same thing when they foul and sometimes you can not explain why they foul! I carry an extra set on all my bikes,stand ups,and atvs.I agree with Europachris -Keep your hand off the throttle when starting.

Not a big fan of the big dollar plugs -straight NGKs
for me

 

[chase12s]

high dollar plugs are nothing special. remember splitfires?

 

[dave_xb12r]

why is it that buells have this problem with fouling plugs and efi harleys and sportsters dont...there has a be a problem from the factory with the fuel injection or mapping plugs should not be fouling no matter how long it idles cold....its running to rich bottom line

They actually come running lean from the factory. My bike has never fouled a plug and I'm still on the originals.

 

[dmulligan]

I sold tons of Splitfires in college while working at an auto parts store. Crappy, expensive product but they knew the importance of Marketing!

 

[dmulligan]

After replacing fouled plugs with NGK Iridium plugs, the bike runs like a champ!

 

[blott01]

Do the breather mod as well. Just changing to iridium plugs and doing the mod made a huge difference on my 09.

 

[dmulligan]

thanks blott01. i'm going to give that a try.

How did the breather mod help your 09?

 

[The Tin Man]

I know you have fixed the problem but what was the cause? Old gas from last year is my guess.