| Author | Message | ||
     North_of_55 |
Hello All, Looking for some guidance. After 6 years with a DL-650 I was really looking for something with a little more... um... character? It was a good bike, but any form of excitement about riding it faded years ago. I read hundreds of posts on a number of forums... watched every video I could find and just generally researched this bike to death. Two weeks ago I purchased an '08 Uly with around 9,500 km on it. I love the bike so far. The suspension is amazing but for some reason I can't get over the feeling that something isn't right. The bike runs alright but it doesn’t have the power that I expected. I've only been able to loft the front tire once (in first), despite making a real effort a couple of times. It occasionally pops from the intake coming off idle (cold or hot). When I first picked it up it ran quite poorly. I wasn’t sure if maybe the previous owner had let it sit for a really long time before trading it in (’08 with under 10,000 km… old gas?) or perhaps the dealership had filled it with regular gas!?! It ran better as soon as I filled it up with premium. All I have done so far is change the motor oil (Motul Synthetic 20W50), put some seafoam in the gas tank, checked the air cleaner, checked the exhaust servo and TPS reset. Should this thing be able to lift the front tire without a huge effort? Is intake pop common from time to time? Is there anything else I should test/verify? Is there an ECM update/flash available for an ’08? The closest H-D dealer that will even talk to me about a Buell is over 3 hours away, but if there is an update/flash I can try I will make the trip! Thanks, Dave | ||
| Froggy |
http://www.erikbuellracing.com/store/parts-accesso ries/fuel-injection/xb12-preprogrammed-ecm.html That should solve your issues | ||
| Rwcfrank |
Its just you  The EBR ECM update helps but you should still be able to loft the front in the first 2 gears at least. | ||
| North_of_55 |
I have looked at the preprogrammed ECM. I just don't think I should have to spend that much to make my bike run well. I don't need more power than stock... I just want what I read about. I can roll off and on at various RPM's in first and the front tire will hardly hop off the ground. There is no chance it would lift it at all in second. My fear is that if it's not running properly is may be causing some damage (rich? Lean?) or may be already damaged in some way. | ||
| Froggy |
You don't have to spend a dime, you can tune the bike yourself 100% for free. Buying the ECM is usually the recommended method, as Erik and the gang did all the work for you. You issue is probably fueling related, the early 08 bikes didn't run that great, and a free ECM update from the dealer or a Race ECM will fix the issue if that was the cause. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Your concern is correct. It should come right on up in first to the point that you would have to let off or flip it over if you twist the grip all the way. Are you sure your tps reset was done correctly? It's easy to make a mistake. Many dealerships did just that. Sounds like you are about to get much more familiar with your new bike and that's a good thing. If you haven't, get a factory service manual to start with and welcome to the fold. Stay with it. This bike is life changing different! Lot's of help is available right here on this site. Where do you live? | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Look over this for anyone near you that may be able to help http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/boar d-auth.cgi?file=/42/42.html&lm=1335555274 | ||
| Panhead_dan |
That popping may be a lean condition. Check intake seals and that little vacuum tap on the top of the intake. It needs to be sealed. | ||
| North_of_55 |
Hey Panhead_dan... where is this vacuum tap? do I have to remove the whole filter housing? | ||
| Tootal |
The vacuum tap is on the wrong side of the butterfly to be a vacuum tap so therefore it's just a hole. I would cap it just to keep dirt out of the intake but it is not considered an air leak. Now the intake seals are a different story. If they are leaking then they will cause all kinds of problems. If you take the scoop off the left side and the panel or scoop off the right side you will be able to see where the intake flanges are. With the engine running spray these flanges front and rear and both sides with WD-40, brake cleaner, carb cleaner etc. If the engine changes rpm at all then they are leaking. Coughing off idle is usually a sign. Check this first before you start any tuning changes. Oh, and welcome to the sickness! | ||
| Etennuly |
The very first thing I would suspect and check is the spark plugs. If you had not read about it yet, starting the Uly and not riding it is bad for the plugs. Throttle blipping is a plug killer. The spark plug cleaning deal is kind of like a band-aid to get you going. A wet fouled plug is generally not coming back to as good as new. If you did not know the previous rider and his habits it is a good place to look for a not running correctly issue. | ||
| Gambito |
A swap to the XB9 primary gear will definitely help - reduces the overall gearing by 11%. The EBR ECM will eliminate any lean conditions (assuming the bike is otherwise healthy), and improve the fueling. As a side note, I believe you contacted me via Kijiji about some of the accessories on the '09 XB12X that I have listed - if I get lowballed or accept a dealer trade, I'll have an EBR ECM available - fits '08 & '09 with stock exhaust. Alex | ||
| Reepicheep |
Lots of variables for the wheelie test, how much you weigh, where you position your body, what you do with the clutch, how soft your suspension is, if you have bar risers, etc. If I ride mine properly, I can accelerate really hard and even in first the front wont come up... because I am leaning over the front of the bike and have my weight way forward. And cause I'm fat.  So do a 0 to 60 test or something. that's much more reliable. | ||
| Trevd |
Welcome to the world of Buell! It's good to have a Sudburian in the fold. I lived there for my first 22 years. Not sure why you can't lift the front wheel. Mine lifts without much effort at all, and if I put the effort in, I can really lift it. And I'm fat (or big boned), but that's not an issue for me. I would check the plugs... I know that on my dirtbike if the plug is a bit fouled, it runs like crap. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
It sounds like you have a problem! I have a 2006 and I have a problem also, mine is keeping my front wheel on the ground! | ||
| Razz |
I also had a DL650 a couple bikes ago.You can't beat the grin factor of these bikes.They can be tempermental about how you ride them.As already said no throttle blipping and one misconception people have about these bikes is that you can lug them at low revs in top gear.They need to be reved.Fouled plugs can really affect performance.Lofting the front wheel in first two gears should not be a problem | ||
| North_of_55 |
I am by no means small... 6'-1' ~240lbs... but with my weight as far back as I can, even using my considerable... inertia... it will barely hop the wheel off the ground in first. Don't get me wrong... I am not on a quest for the biggest wheelie... I just don't think it's running right and this seems to be a gauge of "grunt". I'll try to find some new plugs tomorrow. Have eye surgery in the morning and grout-filling my foundation in the afternoon. Now that I think about it... maybe plugs will have to wait for thursday! Thanks for all the great info. I'll check for intake leaks before changing the plugs... maybe the plugs will tell me something!?! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
My 2008 was a bit pokey until its brain was reflashed. The thing also took a long time to loosen up. It felt like it was actually broken in at 16000 miles. I suggest you just ride it for a few more thousand miles. They get better. | ||
| Johnshore |
I am just your size north which is one reason I like the bike. I have the 06 and it always has a light front end over 3000 rpm with moderate acceleration. Once with all the bags on I was passing a sightseer on a back road and I needed to get by him quick, I grabbed a whole bunch of throttle and the bike stood way up.I had to slow down to turn back in. The 06 has had all the first year glitches but I really like riding this bike. | ||
| Someday |
One more thing to remember is the '06 and '07 Ulys had a 1:1 throttle cable cam at the throttle body. In '08 Buell went to a cable cam design that starts the throttle off slower, giving more control at small throttle openings, then it gets progressively faster until full throttle. This might be what you're experiencing. | ||
| Tleighbell |
If after trying all the above you are still looking for someone to do some tuning you should call Don Morris of Staytuned in Mount Hope, just south of Hamilton Ontario. It's still a way from Sudbury but I think less than 300 miles. BTW, nice to see so many other Uly owners in Ontario. | ||
| Uly_man |
"One more thing to remember is the '06 and '07 Ulys had a 1:1 throttle cable cam at the throttle body. In '08 Buell went to a cable cam design that starts the throttle off slower, giving more control at small throttle openings, then it gets progressively faster until full throttle." I did not know this one. The 06 bike was VERY easy to loft but not tried it on the 2010 bike yet. The throttle felt the same though. We will see? At 9500km its run in ok. Change ALL THE FLUIDS including the brakes. Take the wheels off and change the bearings and spacers if needed. Check the front engine isolator is sound, the grounds, wiring and ECM is not damaged. Basic go over the whole bike, its worth the effort, so it is all ok from the start. I would also buy a set of SKF wheel bearings and a belt for spares, if you can, because you will needed them sooner or later. | ||
| Buewulf |
Plugs and intake seals are likely culprits, but some small popping / backfire through the intake was one of the first symptoms I experienced as my ECM gave up the ghost. I could also just be a symptom of crappy mapping for your particular bike. My Uly is an '06, and it is not the wheelie machine I expected it to be either. It will however wheelie under power in 1st (stock gearing) if I grab a handful at the right rpm. I think that is around 3000 - 3500 rpm, but I am not sure. Higher or lower than that just doesn't work out unless I chop the throttle or pump the bars. 2nd gear requires the clutch if I want the front wheel in the air. The lazy engine just doesn't spin up quickly enough for good, unassisted power wheelies, and the power band is too short to loft the wheel while in the juice. Clutching will give you a good one, though. That heavy flywheel donates its considerable inertia to lifting the front in a hurry when you slice the clutch. | ||
| Uly_man |
Buewulf. Must be me then as I could get the front up in 3rd at 60mph on my 06 bike. In fact that was the only problem for me with the bike - trying to keep the front rubber on the road. | ||
| Someday |
Here's a shot of the '08 and newer throttle cable wheel. Notice the exaggerated cam shape which slows the initial opening of the butterfly and gets progressively faster.  | ||
| Uly_man |
Thank you | ||
| Buewulf |
Ulyman, if you could loft the front in 3rd gear without the clutch, then your '06 must have made a LOT more spank than mine. | ||
| Froggy |
My 06 will do it too, I haven't tried my 08 but I don't see why it wouldn't. Ask Ulynut and Crusty, they claim it is my secret to extra long front tire life | ||
| Sharkguy |
Have you tried a tps reset? That usually works well for my 09. No computer needed. Try this on an already warm engine. Turn on the key but don't start the bike. Slowly open the throttle fully and fully close it three times. Turn off key. Now turn the key back on and start up the bike. Let it idle for a few minutes, then take it for a ride. It would be interesting to see if it makes a difference. Quick and easy to do. | ||
| Uly_man |
I love the refinements of the 2010 bike but maybe some of the "animal" of the 06 bike is lost. We will see? |
