Solution for "Hunting" during consistent RPM / Throttle position?

Hello All,

I'm back with another newb question. Is there a solution for the fueling issue a lot of people refer to as "hunting" (Constant throttle position / rpms and the bike feels like it's surging back and forth slightly, similar in my experience to being in low gear and even minor throttle adjustments make the bike jump a bit) ? From what I've read, these bikes tend to not like a constant throttle / rpm, but I prefer to ride steady / smooth instead of being on / off the throttle a lot. For context, I have a 2014 Sx with the Secondary Delete / Tips and matching ECM from Dean Adams. Bike runs strong with no real issues to speak of with the exception of dying while rolling to a stop with the clutch in (easy to work around that) and a really weird flat spot at 4000 rpms that happened once (felt like the throttle blipped, hasn't happened again.) I tried looking through the archives, and it seems like this is common behavior d/t the race nature of the bike. If it is was it is, then I can get used to it. Just wanted to see if there's a possible way to smooth it out. Thanks!

Lots of people? Sorry, I've never heard of that issue, and I have never had it happen on my '14 SX with any of the 3 different pipe/ECM combo's I have tried.

If it's running poorly and stalling I would talk to who sold you the ECM and see what they say.

I overgeneralized a bit. I've seen it more than once, though. From what I've read it's typical for these bikes, and running high rpms takes care of it (6k rpms was specifically mentioned). I wouldn't (and didn't) say it's running poorly, but my style of riding is probably way more conservative than many of the people who ride an EBR, so I find myself on a steady throttle position / rpm during most of my riding. I'll email Dean and see what he says, for sure. But based on my limited knowledge, I imagine the solution would be re-mapping the ECM or bucking up and riding more aggressively. Since the latter is a free option I'll likely try it first, LOL. Thanks for your input, Cooter. I appreciate you taking the time to read my post.

No worries man, glad two help. We're a small community here and we do pretty well at being self sufficient:301:. I said running poorly, because you said it was stalling. It shouldn't do that.

It sounds like you are cruising at WAY too low an RPM. If it's lower than 4k, downshift! Heck, they don't even get going until 8K! Even though it's a V-twin, I wouldn't lug it around like a Harley. You can get bearing chatter, wrist pin deformation, the balance shafts can't do their job that slow, and super high cylinder pressures causing detonation even with high octane fuel.

I usually keep it around 4500rpm. I'm pretty sure part of my problem is my body position. I think I put too much of my weight on the handle bars causing me to give accidental input to the throttle, especially on rough pavement (which is pretty common in my part of town). Even the smallest twist at higher rpms / lower gearing = big response in this monster. As far as the stalling is concerned, I'm not entirely sure what the root cause could be. But each time it's been with the clutch in, coasting at low speed. I've taken to keeping it revved up a little when stopping, and it hasn't happened since. I've seen other posts mention the same thing. I just figured it was evidence that a high performance bike needs to be ridden harder. I always figured that was a myth. But I'm finding it to be true with every ride. My first bike is an 03 XB9s. I re-taught myself how to ride on it (got my license in 2004, didn't even ride or get a bike until March of 2018 at 36 years old, haha). So basically I'm a new rider still learning a lot of the basics on an advanced machine. My takeaway: ride harder, worry less. LOL Thanks again, Bud!

One quick note, check your clutch switch.

It's an easy on off switch right at the clutch lever pivot, you can unplug and check for continuity...

or even easier have it idling (in gear) clutch in and have someone press it in with a flat blade screwdriver, the engine should idle up a little when you do that.

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Originally Posted by Cooter

No worries man, glad two help. We're a small community here and we do pretty well at being self sufficient:301:. I said running poorly, because you said it was stalling. It shouldn't do that.

It sounds like you are cruising at WAY too low an RPM. If it's lower than 4k, downshift! Heck, they don't even get going until 8K! Even though it's a V-twin, I wouldn't lug it around like a Harley. You can get bearing chatter, wrist pin deformation, the balance shafts can't do their job that slow, and super high cylinder pressures causing detonation even with high octane fuel.

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Haven heard of all that. Mine does surge, but at just under 4K. Apparently more rpms needed.

The surging your feeling is just the slack in the transmission when cruising. All bikes do it, some more pronounced than others.

Mine does go away a few hundred rpms higher. Like maybe 200-300 more.

My bike had a similiar issue with stalling. I opened the air box and found the front intake boot was loose, check there and make sure they are seated and secure. Also if you do the evap fix on the bike it also will help address stalling and poor idle. After fixing both issues mine is a smooth running rocket!

My evap upgrade should be on the way! I was excited to hear about that remedy / upgrade. Also, I've made sure to adjust my riding style a bit (read that as higher rpms / more throttle / slightly more aggressive riding). I've only had one stall since I made the correction, and I suspect the bike just wasn't warmed up yet. I also let the clutch out just a bit as it seems to increase the idle rpms without actually engaging. It's a pain because of how heavy the clutch is, but I got the Oberon Slave Cylinder to remedy that. Just waiting on decent weather to install it. I'll be sure to check the intake boot as well. Thanks for the input!

Have you done any mods yet under the air box cover ? there are about 3 that could be done that might help

I haven't done anything under the air box cover. The only real modifications I've done are moving up to a 43t sprocket, and getting the Dean Adams Tips / ECM upgrade. I have the Oberon Slave Cylinder just haven't put it on yet. Anything else I've done is cosmetic (bar end mirrors / tail tidy). I've read a lot about the solenoid delete, but my understanding is that with a "race" ecm it's deactivated so there's no reason to take it out other than to save weight. I've heard its pretty hefty (just over 3lbs), but I don't ride fast enough for it to make a difference. I've also heard about zip tying something together on the throttle bodies so they don't get out of sync, but I figured that since I'm not riding it super hard (literally fastest I've been is 105 mph on the interstate) I didn't need to worry too much about it. What else is there that may help?

Here is most recent one. Looks like you got one on the way .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM5R...q6JeG4FJxi8dxY

Are you lugging it? are you RPM phobic? lol but a lot of people are:frown:

IMO cruising at 4500-6k rpm is a normal and safe riding range. Its where the engine just starts making power, It's well before the power peak, but solidly in the torque curve. Anything lower is just too low in the RPM/ignition advance range to be smooth.

If you are riding around in the ultra-low sub-4k rpm range you are risking chattering the bearings and the dramatically high cylinder pressures you're causing aren't helping anything either. Its a V-twin, but not a diesel (lol) and can safely operate for extended times at 11,400RPM according to the boffins who engineered and built it.:biggrin:

Where do you cruise at?

EBR Rider, That's the one! I'm excited to get it.

Hi Cooter,

I was barely keeping it over 4k. Definitely RPM phobic at first. I was used to chugging along at 2k on my XB9s. But after lots of great advice and input, specifically from here, I've upped my general cruising rpms to the exact range you mentioned, usually staying around 5k. If they dip, I downshift. I do a lot more passing as well so I don't have to slow down, lol.

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Originally Posted by Owens

Hi Cooter,

I was barely keeping it over 4k. Definitely RPM phobic at first. I was used to chugging along at 2k on my XB9s. But after lots of great advice and input, specifically from here, I've upped my general cruising rpms to the exact range you mentioned, usually staying around 5k. If they dip, I downshift. I do a lot more passing as well so I don't have to slow down, lol.

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There otta be a law against lugging a EBR mine starts sings at 5 to 6 K and up to the moon. ok I back off at 8.5 . I get scared.

At 8500RPM on an EBR....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oApAdwuqtn8

:pimp:

When I was in the break in period I accidentally hit 6k rpm. I wasn't watching the guage, but I felt the bike just start pulling away from me. When I looked down it was just over 6k so I backed off quick. After break in I've had it up to about 8k....It's literally too fast for street riding at that point, at least here in Knoxville. "They've gone plaid!!" LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Owens

When I was in the break in period I accidentally hit 6k rpm. I wasn't watching the guage, but I felt the bike just start pulling away from me. When I looked down it was just over 6k so I backed off quick. After break in I've had it up to about 8k....It's literally too fast for street riding at that point, at least here in Knoxville. "They've gone plaid!!" LOL

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HAHA 8K too fast, yea most definitely. Only place I really got to wind it out at was at the track. HELL YEA!!!...till I remembered I was still on TC7. :headshake:

I ride with the traction control off and just rely on throttle control, but I'm thinking about turning it back on to see if I notice a difference. There's been a couple of times that it felt like the back tire was coming out from under me. I just don't like relying on the electronics to "fix" something that I feel like I should learn to do on my own. I consider myself a new rider, still. I've only owned / ridden motorcycles for 2 years (I'm a late bloomer). I think a lot of folks would consider an EBR too much bike for my skill level, and I agree. But there was no way I was going to pass up a brand new EBR at $7000 after falling in love with Buell motorcycles (my first motorcycle is a 2003 XB9s). I remember when I first saw a Buell at the Harley Shop in Knoxville. My Dad (who's had Harleys since I can remember) pointed it out. It took me 15 years to get one, but I got one. Then EBR came about. I saw the Sx, and I knew I had to have one. Kinda got carried away there, but I'm sure you can relate. There's just nothing like Buell / EBR.