| Author | Message | ||
     Bossies1 |
Hi, I'm considering a new '06 Uly (125 mile demo model), and just took a 15 mile test ride. While I was really impressed in general, the throttle response off idle was extremely touchy. It was very hard to ride around the parking lot, but was fine once I got going. The dealer said that the software upgrades will fix it completely. Does that seem right? I have lots of experience with different bikes, and have never ridden anything this bad. But I see why you like them... Dave | ||
| Keith_mahoney |
I don't have any experience with an 06 but I know the newer xb's have a different throttle cam. It sure sounds like the dealer is FOS though. If it was that easy (and yes there have been many ecm updates which help with the way these bikes run) why didn't he just spend the 5 minutes to update the ecm and let you take it out again? I hate the way people will try to sell you f-d up things and tell you how easy it is to fix instead of just fixing it themselves if it is so easy. | ||
| Froggy |
It would be hard to say without checking out the bike, it could be a number of little things, but most likely the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) needs to be reset. 125 miles is a little early, but as the bike breaks in sensor settles and will be out of wack to what the computer thinks its doing. The TPS reset only takes a few minutes to do once the bike is warmed up. Again, without touching the bike I couldn't say for sure. Newer years have changes including different higher flowing airboxes, and a different throttle control mechanisim so they will respond better off idle. | ||
| Dentguy |
Tell him to fix it, since he says he can. Then take it for ride. Take another one for a spin in the lot, if he has one and see if it's the same. Maybe your not used to it? (Message edited by dentguy on February 04, 2009) | ||
| Ratbuell |
My 06 will also sneeze and stutter if I'm impatient and start riding before it's had a chance to warm up. Let it warm up fully before you ride, it *does* make a difference. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
If it was cold, it will hiccup. If the spark plugs are jacked up (from starting and shutting the bike down without letting it warm up), it will hiccup. If the TPS needs to be reset, it will hiccup. If the TPS was set while the bike was cold, it will hiccup. There are several reasons it will run like that. Have the dealer "fix it" and see what it's like after the fix. | ||
| Etennuly |
This was a common problem for some '06 Uly's. My bike did not have this issue, but I personally know of a few that did. The fix was the ''07 flash'. The dealer had to hook up the bike to their system, key in a VIN from any '07 bike and reflash the ECM. The ones that I know of had total remedy. | ||
| Bossies1 |
Thanks for the quick responses. The touchiness occurred when both cold + warm (after the ride), and was not a stutter, sneeze or hiccup. It was like you were going from 0 throttle to mid throttle instantly. It would be impossible to ride slowly on dirt set up like this. While this was my first ride on a Buell, I've ridden Ducatis, BMWs and other bikes without issue. On the plus side, there's no chain lash! Sounds like it might be the TPS and/or an ECM flash. I may see about another ride after a fix. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I have an '06 Uly that I maintain meticulously. Even with that....it's a bucking beast at low RPM. Very difficult to ride below about 2500 in first gear. Might as well forget it. Wick that think up to 3500rpm and let it roll and you'll love the bike. Puttering around at 15mph....it's torture. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
+1 If you are looking at low speed characteristics, it is exactly what you get regardless of state of "tune". It's the nature of the beat. Many have swapped primary gearing to make it 11% lower in order to improve slow speed throttle characteristics. You either need to keep the RPMs higher or slip the clutch more. | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Mine went away ('07 in the faster black version) when I fattened up the off-idle 1,900 and below rows via ECMspy. Mine was running too lean, which seemed to cause this condition. But in my case at least, needing a TPS reset will mirror this to some extent. YMMV | ||
| Thunderbox |
I believe most of the low speed quirks of a properly set up bike are the cause of the engine design. When one piston fires the next one will not fire for 405 degrees of rotation then the next time it fires it's only 315 degrees of rotation then 405 then 315 and so on. With this type of firing it will not run at very low speeds perfectly smooth. Potato, potato, potato. Having said that my 06 Uly is perfectly happy down to 2000 rpm without being a kangeroo. Proper set up as in TPS is critical. | ||
| Treadmarks |
Use Ecmspy to fatten up the maps as JB mentioned. Also change your timing parameters and values to advance progressive earlier instead of sudden late. While this mod may not pass any EPA or noise test, it will provide a rock solid idle and much better throttle control at lower speeds. Or you could just call Mike. | ||
| Johnboy777 |
""Or you could just call Mike."" +1 ..that's really the best and fastest option. Spend $50 on a cable and $100 or so with Mike. Download ECMspy and download one of Mike's custom EEPROM and you'll be way better off and a lot happier. IMHO, the off-idle stumble is based on a EPA induced lean/timimg issue w/in the EEPROM. . | ||
| Dr_greg |
My '06 has always been quite abrupt off-idle. Since the bike runs so well otherwise, I've just left it alone. --Doc | ||
| Asdf |
Mine was like that. A race ECM, race air filter and XB-9 primary gearing fixed the twitchy throttle problem and the low speed drive-ability problem. I am not sure which one did the most to cure the low speed problems, as all three changes were done at the same time. No regrets, other than my exhaust valve had to be wired open to accommodate the race ECM. I really did not want the extra noise. Some folks will claim that you will also have to use an obnoxiously loud exhaust pipe to go with the race ECM. In my experience, this claim is not true. Have fun! | ||
| Chopped58 |
My '06 has always been quite abrupt off-idle. Since the bike runs so well otherwise, I've just left it alone. +1 | ||
| Ratbuell |
Mine's never been abrupt off-idle, not that I can recall. 'course, as soon as I got it home I went through it, like I do with all my bikes. The techs give me a hard time because I like a "hair trigger" throttle grip. Spec is what, 1/4" of slack? Nope. Breathe on it to open it is all I want. If the throttle cables are too loose, you can get the all-or-nothing throttle response. That's a function of the grip turning, but nothing happening at the other end of the cables...until all of a sudden the slack is gone and you're moving stuff at the throttle body. See how far you can "wiggle" the throttle grip before it does anything. Mine, you can barely turn it before it takes slack and starts working. | ||
| Jlnance |
The dealer said that the software upgrades will fix it completely. I would certainly ask to ride it again after those upgrades are done.  The could fix it. There are several things that can contribute to the problem you are seeing: - It's going to do that if the motor is cold regardless. - The TPS needs to be reset periodically. It's not difficult to do, but it needs to be done with the bike warm, and some dealers neglect this part. - The 07 Fuel maps are better, that's probably what your dealer is referring to. - Demo bikes often have fouled plugs because they are started and shut down repeatedly w/o being allowed to warm up. | ||
| Bossies1 |
Wow, great ideas. If I decide to go with this bike, I'll have them make the changes before I sign on the dotted line. I'm looking at an '08 this weekend, so it may be a mute point. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Probably the most significant difference I've noted (as far as day to day living) between my personal '06 and the new '08/09's, are the standard heated grips. Getting ready to add 'em to my '06, actually.... The auto-tps and auto-idle on the DDFI3 is nice...but I also like being able to adjust my idle speed if I need to. I also (and I know I'm in the minority) love my D616s That, and all the 08/09 bikes I've ridden have been too darned clean, lol. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
The 2008 also has improved steering lock angle for tighter manoeuvres. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Never had a problem with tight maneuvers on my '06, and that includes U turns on 2 lanes, parking lot stuff, staying between trees off-pavement, and "what the hell is that" dodges going down the road...leeeaaaannnn the bike. To be honest, the only Buell that I really notice a wide steering lock on, is a Blast. That damned thing is nearly 90 degrees lock to lock! | ||
| Bossies1 |
Thanks everybody. I ended up buying an '08 xt instead of the '06 x. The xt is far more manageable at low speeds! That '06 would have been almost impossible to ride slowly on a sandy road, or in stop and go traffic. I did call the dealer to thank him, and suggested that they take care of the issues. |
