| Author | Message | ||
     Jamesscavies |
First wanted to sat Hi, and love the site and info. I was wondering if anyone else has had problems with the XB9S losing power and acting like it's running on one cylinder after about an hour in med to heavy rain? The only mods are the standard race kit and removal of the snorkel from the airbox. I know the bikes not designed for rainy travel but my buddy was on his Harley and did'nt have any problems. I took the airbox off but there was no water in the box or filter. Anyway after about three hours under a carport she finally decided to start. Rough at first but then back to normal. I also enjoyed the rooster tail that comes thru the drilled cover on the rear fender. I'm going to cut some diamond plate and tack weld it underneath to stop that little problem. I called the dealer but they can't even look at it until Fri. so I guess we'll see. | ||
| Darthane |
Several other people have had this problem in the past (or ongoing). I haven't noticed it personally in a while, but then it's been a long time since I've ridden in heavy rain. I believe some people found that their rear cylinder spark plug wire had rubbed through, you may want to do some electrical inspections before sending it into a dealer for three weeks for what is most likely a minor problem. Bryan | ||
| Leebridger |
Hi Xb9s owner from the UK here. Got me XB wet for the first time a couple of weeks ago ,it was in stock trim, with about 800 miles on the clock. The next day it would backfire, was hard to start when warm, the flat spot that it has at about 3K was much bigger, it rode as if you where 2 gears higher up the box than it was. dealer rest the ecu, and the throtle pos'n senser, and it sorted it out. | ||
| Dbensavage |
I did about 2 hours riding in heavy rain from the Copper Mountain Cycle Fest back into Denver and the old XB9R never let out so much as a sputter. | ||
| Viros |
The factory really missed something with the whole water thing. Mine died after 200 miles in the rain. After a few hours it started right up just fine. Its also given problems after being washed, once when I washed it and the other when my dealership washed it. They told me they found an "exposed wire". Every time after it dries everything is ok, but we should'nt have to put up with the embarrassment. I wonder if they corrected this with the 04 models? edited by viros on September 22, 2003 | ||
| Darthane |
Viros, did they tell you WHICH wire was exposed? | ||
| Misato |
mine does the EXACT same thing. I never took it in because I dont ride in the rain, but I got caught in a downpour and it goes to one cyl.. which wire???? | ||
| Captainplanet |
My bike has been flawless even in really heavy rain. I was really suprised it did so well, as many of the other bikes I have owned didn't run well in heavy rain. | ||
| Kaese |
I was just thinking, could rough running problem be with the overheating sensor? When I picked mine up, the mechanic said there was a overheating sensor that made it fire every-other time until the temperature came back down. He also did mention that he had never heard it here in the US, only on the Autoban where XB's could be ran full throttle for hours on end. | ||
| Gravedigger |
Don't know much about the xb, but I have encountered this on my 99 X1. I gives me a code for the rear head temp sensor when it does it. only does it intermitently. seems to be when I get stuck behind a vehicle at highway speeds. think it has something to do with the real fine mist. Just my experiences. Keith edited by gravedigger on September 22, 2003 | ||
| Viros |
The dealership guy that told me it was a exposed wire just pointed behind the chin fairing on the header side. He wasnt the tech, so I figure thats all he knew and I didnt get a chance to talk with the tech. | ||
| Chainsaw |
I've been caught in my fair share of rain, I've had no trouble. I also wash mine with a pressure washer at the car wash. Runs fine. I did have water intrusion into the brake light around 1k, popped the bulb. Hasn't happened in the rain in the 8k since. | ||
| Darthane |
Hmm...the engine temp sensor is single wire, and it's voltage/resistance-based (0V-5V). There's no separate 'cut-out' sensor. If the engine temp sensor gets grounded out it could cause that, thinking that the engine is running abnormally hot (no resistance to ground = 0V, which it interprets as 300C/572F!), but it should also cause the check engine light to come on. This sensor is buried in the rear head, and you'll need to remove the air box to get a look at it (not a big job). Pop that off and take a good look and make sure that there's no worn insulation on that lead. Bryan | ||
| Darthane |
Viros, I'm assuming from your post that even though they found and corrected this 'exposed' wire it still happens? Not a surprise, since there's nothing running ebhind the chin spoiler that could cause that, at least not without killing the entire electrical system on the bike (voltage regulator connection is in there, along with the neutral switch). As an addendum to the earlier post, I'm not sure if the connector for the ETS is sealed or not. If not, it is conceivable that water could contact the terminal and run down the wet wire to the engine and/or body ground, causing the above mentioned problem. Bryan | ||
| Jamesscavies |
My check engine light never came on. Talked to the tech today, "It's a Buell", time to find a new dealer. | ||
| Misato |
mine didn't either | ||
| Darthane |
It's probably still worth checking out. It'd probably take a half hour to check it, and you could examine the spark plug wires while you're in there, too. I misspoke when I said check engine light earlier. The manual says that the oil light should come on. (note, not 'will', but 'should'...ISO would have a field day with this jargon) | ||
| Tedk |
This happend to me as well. Have not ridden in the rain for a while. | ||
| Dblhaulxb9s |
I had a similar problem but only after quite a few rain rides and no problem. I have never had it run hard but not long ago, I was riding to montrose and rode trough a little rain (I mean little) and got to town filled up and it wouldn't start. Nothing. Had to bump start it to get home. It ran great but when I got home it still wouldn't start. Next morning fired right back up and haven't had a problem since (no rain either). I posted all of this in the "failed starter" thread here. When I have time I am going to check every wire on the bike and seal them all. I am going to use some dialectic (sp?) grease in all of my controls. I am not going to take any chances, I ride in any weather when I have to get somewhere and I don't like bump starting a 984 CC bike. Any way, I think I is definitely a wireing problem. Morgan | ||
| Darthane |
Use a good, high-temp resistant silicone dielectric grease, Morgan. I bet you have no more problems after coating ever exposed connection in it. Another thing I'll be doing this winter in the down time. Bryan |
