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New Buell owner with ?'s

Buellxb Forum

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hgfdac776

Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2012
Messages
5
Hello Everybody,
I recently bought a used 03' XB9R for my wife and she loves it. I've had all kinds of bikes in the past including Harley's but this is new territory for me as I typically ride cruisers. The previous owner gave me a data cable with the bike which he said he never used. Any ideas on this thing? Also, sometimes when you start it, it has to wind for a minute before it will fire, it seems to be taking to long to be EFI. Is this normal or does it sound like the fuel pump is weak. It dosen't do it on every start. This is a fun bike and we both enjoy it. Thanks for any help!
 
The cable is likely the ecmspy cable, so you can connect your bike to programs for tuning. Is it a plug with 4 ports(I think only 3 have wires) and a usb on the other end? The diagnostics port on the bike is under the front fairing. You'd then need the program ecmspy to do any tuning. It is good to have for maintenance as well(reading trouble codes/engine lights, doing diagnostics, TPS resets, etc.).
 
The cable is either for an ecm or aftermarket fi controller if it has one.

When you have the start problem what do you mean "has to wind for for a minute".

Buells have high compression by nature, so depending on the specific setup of that bike it may not always kick over at first when you thumb the starter.

Mine does that according to where the engine stopped when it alst shut off, sometimes it fires with the first push of the button, and sometimes it has to cycle then it starts. If that's what you are experiencing its related to compression and not a problem. If it bugs you upgrading to a more powerful starter will fix it. That's what I did on my built Roadstar a few years back.
 
Thanks for the insight on the cable. Is the program something I can but aftermarket? As to the starting problem, It is almost as if it is to lean or not getting fuel. Sometimes the engine will turn over for 10-12 seconds before it will start.
 
You can sometimes find places to dl the program for free. You also need a driver to make it communicate. I can send you everything on a disc if you'd like, just PM me your address.

You may benefit from the race maps, it richens the maps up a bit. Not sure if that's your issue or not.

It'd also be good to do a TPS reset(I do one about every oil change or so) and check error codes, etc.
 
The bike you have should be started like this.

With handlebar kill switch off turn key on. Your guages should sweep.

Turn handlebar kill switch on. You should hear the fuel pump priming now. When it stops and the Vtwin red engine light goes out then you can hit starter button.

When turning the bike off always use the kill switch not the key ignition.

I've had my bike 5 years now and the fuel pump has always sounded like a squalling cat.
 
Does the bike have aftermarket exhaust, air filter, or ecm? The wrong combination of any of those can be a problem while riding, but not usually for starting I don't think.

You could get that problem from lack of fuel, weak starter, weak battery (CCA's) or probably a couple of other things. I would suggest taking it to an experienced v-twin mechanic (preferrably non-hd) or make a video and post it on utube.
 
Could check the plugs too. That's typically where i begin to look on my other vehicles, there's a good how to video on this website. Showes the easy way to get them.
 
It does have a k&n air filter but all else is bone stock to the best of my knowledge. The previous owner said that he just installed new plugs at the last oil change but I will check them. Thanks for the tip on the vid
 


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