I finally got to ride my bike a bit thanks to a free schedule and decent weather. A couple of things...
1. When I bought it, it was hesitant to start, but seemed fine once it did start. Last night it started immediately without "choke" in the 85 degree weather, although it didn't sound happy at idle. While cold, it sounded like it was about to die, and was around 850-900 RPM. Once it warmed up it idled at a very smooth 1000 RPM. Do I need to adjust something, or is it normal for the bike to idle a little off when cold? When very cold, if I blip the throttle there's some hesitation, but not under load or when warm.
2. I added some seafoam to the tank (3 ounces in a nearly empty tank, ran for a bit, shut down for 20 minutes, then rode 4 blocks to the gas station and filled up) hoping that it'll help a bit with some carbon in the system and maybe clean the injectors. Perhaps the seafoam was contributing, but I noticed some backfiring during deceleration on the ride to the station (which also reminds me, should I make an effort to avoid engine braking, or is it okay? I drive a diesel jetta so I'm in the habit of engine braking and slowing down with the transmission engaged), but it got better. This means a lean mixture, so I'm assuming partially clogged injectors could explain this as well, right? I also bought some techron, and I plan to put that in the next tank, I just wanted some seafoam for what it does for the top end. The bike has a bit of carbon build up that I'm hoping to burn off, I think it's from not being ridden properly / sitting / being started and idled but not ridden. It's also entirely possible that the remnants of the gas in the bike were from last year, and I don't know if they were stabilized or not.
3. Shifting from first to second, or second to first can be a bit rough. Going from first to second was better if I preloaded the shifter, but it was a little clanky/grindy if I didn't. Seems like shifting into 2nd around 4000 RPM is optimal, above that it was rougher and below that it was rougher. That's a comfortable shift point for normal driving, but in slow traffic or when accelerating briskly it's not.
Anyway, that's about it. I think this stuff is all probably fairly normal for this bike, given that it's had a break in riding. The ergonomics of this bike are great except the turn signals, which will take some getting used to. Good riding position, and I don't know what people mean about the bike being top-heavy even with a full tank, I'm much more in control without having to throw my weight around on this bike at low speeds than I was on my yamaha or on my friend's sportster and I'm able to come to an easy stop without weaving or loss of balance. I need to hit a parking lot for some u-turns and panic stops... er... hard stops, but I feel very confident in traffic already. It's probably the best bike I've ever ridden.
1. When I bought it, it was hesitant to start, but seemed fine once it did start. Last night it started immediately without "choke" in the 85 degree weather, although it didn't sound happy at idle. While cold, it sounded like it was about to die, and was around 850-900 RPM. Once it warmed up it idled at a very smooth 1000 RPM. Do I need to adjust something, or is it normal for the bike to idle a little off when cold? When very cold, if I blip the throttle there's some hesitation, but not under load or when warm.
2. I added some seafoam to the tank (3 ounces in a nearly empty tank, ran for a bit, shut down for 20 minutes, then rode 4 blocks to the gas station and filled up) hoping that it'll help a bit with some carbon in the system and maybe clean the injectors. Perhaps the seafoam was contributing, but I noticed some backfiring during deceleration on the ride to the station (which also reminds me, should I make an effort to avoid engine braking, or is it okay? I drive a diesel jetta so I'm in the habit of engine braking and slowing down with the transmission engaged), but it got better. This means a lean mixture, so I'm assuming partially clogged injectors could explain this as well, right? I also bought some techron, and I plan to put that in the next tank, I just wanted some seafoam for what it does for the top end. The bike has a bit of carbon build up that I'm hoping to burn off, I think it's from not being ridden properly / sitting / being started and idled but not ridden. It's also entirely possible that the remnants of the gas in the bike were from last year, and I don't know if they were stabilized or not.
3. Shifting from first to second, or second to first can be a bit rough. Going from first to second was better if I preloaded the shifter, but it was a little clanky/grindy if I didn't. Seems like shifting into 2nd around 4000 RPM is optimal, above that it was rougher and below that it was rougher. That's a comfortable shift point for normal driving, but in slow traffic or when accelerating briskly it's not.
Anyway, that's about it. I think this stuff is all probably fairly normal for this bike, given that it's had a break in riding. The ergonomics of this bike are great except the turn signals, which will take some getting used to. Good riding position, and I don't know what people mean about the bike being top-heavy even with a full tank, I'm much more in control without having to throw my weight around on this bike at low speeds than I was on my yamaha or on my friend's sportster and I'm able to come to an easy stop without weaving or loss of balance. I need to hit a parking lot for some u-turns and panic stops... er... hard stops, but I feel very confident in traffic already. It's probably the best bike I've ever ridden.