Bike running rich

abhiv0508 · Aug 30, 2015

Is it normal for the bike to run rich during the break-in period? I only have 175 miles on the bike, but I've noticed that its running very rich and is giving me relatively poor fuel economy. In the low 40 mpg range.

Thoughts?

kuksul08 · Aug 30, 2015

No it's not normal. How are you sure it's running rich? These bikes run really, really lean if anything. Low 40's isn't bad at all, especially if you're breaking it in properly which means lots of stop & go, accelerations, and varying engine load.

If you discovered a way to easily make it richer let us know!

abhiv0508 · Aug 30, 2015

Thanks for the reply kuksul08!

Is a lot of burbling and backfiring a sign of the engine running rich?

kuksul08 · Aug 30, 2015

Yes and no, depends on a few things. In my experience a bike will pop and burble on decel regardless but it's more prominent if it's lean due to high exhaust temps.

Worth checking your exhaust pipes for cracks they are known to fail on this bike.

abhiv0508 · Aug 30, 2015

Another reason I suspected running too rich is the low fuel economy... or so I feel like it is. I'll have to test it out this week to see if I get better economy.

Do you think the exhaust pipes could be cracked even on a brand new bike?

kuksul08 · Aug 30, 2015

abhiv0508 said:
Another reason I suspected running too rich is the low fuel economy... or so I feel like it is. I'll have to test it out this week to see if I get better economy.

Do you think the exhaust pipes could be cracked even on a brand new bike?

you never know. Mine cracked pretty quick. The weld had no penetration.

AussieHyper · Aug 30, 2015

abhiv0508 said:
Thanks for the reply kuksul08!

Is a lot of burbling and backfiring a sign of the engine running rich?

Could also be the mode you are riding in (I find urban pops and crackles

) and the fuel...what RON do you have access to?

abhiv0508 · Aug 31, 2015

AussieHyper said:
Could also be the mode you are riding in (I find urban pops and crackles ) and the fuel...what RON do you have access to?

Interesting! Yes I did use urban mode when I got caught in a rain storm. Then switched to touring for the last part of the ride. So that is very possible! What is RON? I'm not familiar with that term.

gatdammit · Aug 31, 2015

RON is the octane rating, and you should be using 93/Premium.

Is this your first twin? Wonder if your just not used to the exhaust note. It sounds like it's stumbling but if you listen you should notice a rhythm to it's firing. Eventually you'll hear it in your sleep and wake up wanting to fire it up and ride.

Is that low 40's (mpg) on the display or punched by hand? I honestly have averaged low 40's the entire life of the bike but that equates to low 50's on the display. But, I agree this is a little low for break in run. If you do a lot of stop and go it's pretty average.

Kuksul is right about the AF ratio. It's extremely thin in the low band for noise/emissions and that's why it hunts a bit at idle. The tach should bounce between 1400-1500 rpm at standing idle.

abhiv0508 · Aug 31, 2015

Ok good. I've been using 93 octane. This is my 2nd twin. First was a Ducati Supersport 800. It did the same thing as this bike and it was running rich.

I actually like the gurgling burbling sound, but want to make sure it isn't a sign if something wrong.

BelloStrada · Aug 31, 2015

Have you tried disconnecting and reconnecting the battery? Sorta like rebooting a PC...sometimes it works, other times not. Since you just bought it, let your dealer handle it...that's what your warranty is for. FYI...my '15 Hyper's mileage seems stuck at 53 / gallon. Admittedly, I don't flog the bike...those days are long behind me. I enjoy leisurely cruises along PCH back and forth to work, with the occasional detour up into the foothills to enjoy the twisties when the mood warrants.

porkrind · Aug 31, 2015

I could easily get into the mid- to upper-30s during the stop and go commuting back when I lived in Seattle. My long term average now that I'm in Santa Barbara is low- to mid- 40s. That's a mix of in town commuting, sporty riding, and the occasional longer rides out of the area.

That mileage is all based on sport mode. I never ever use the other modes, at least since I got the new throttle swapped in.

My understanding of the burbling is this: the bike is generally tuned to run lean for emissions purposes, like pretty much every other bike these days. Lean running at low throttle openings causes that on-off lurchiness that plagues a lot of FI bikes. The Hyper will run a little richer in that part of the map and then add air to the exhaust to complete combustion. That's the popping, all as designed.

abhiv0508 · Aug 31, 2015

Checked with dealer today. Yup this is perfectly normal he said. Said that the bike will change a bit as it gets past break-in period. Said I'll probably get a slight bump in fuel economy and will notice an overall smoother engine. So I am content with that answer.

I also think I need to burp my tank as I fill it up. For some reason I get the feeling I'm not getting a full load of gas. I'll have to pay more attention to this at the next fuel stop.

appliance821 · Sep 1, 2015

What you've described is normal. I'd be careful burping the tank unless you're not parking the bike right after fueling, it will just drain fuel to the street if on the side stand.

It is a bike that doesn't go about its business quietly: some scrapey sounds from the front brakes, the tank will moo like a cow after a long ride etc. etc.

But it's a fun damned thing and banging down the gears with the slipper and hearing the popping is fun.

abhiv0508 · Sep 1, 2015

600 miles can't come soon enough! I think I'll go for a ride now....all this talk has me itching to hear the "scrapey" sounds!

BlueSwede · Sep 1, 2015

Personally, I've always enjoyed some good crackle and pop under heavy deceleration. I have an impression that with the low Termignoni it's now doing it a bit more than before, but perhaps they are just a bit louder. My early 70's 860 Duc had the issue of "too lean" well cured with extra gas injection jets in each carb... wfo quickly followed by a throttle chop accumulated gas nicely in the pipes for some pops from the exhaust... back when I was slightly less adult, I suppose.....

abhiv0508 · Sep 1, 2015

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1441122869.148230.jpg

. Not much burbling and gurgling today. Just unadulterated fun.... This bike is addictive to ride!

charlie · Sep 2, 2015

don't baby the bike during break in... ride it like you plan on riding after broke in... it maybe just me, but every car or bike I have owned has a sweet spot. seems to be the spot where I broke it in..

abhiv0508 · Sep 2, 2015

I've been doing that actually. Nothing abusive just not too worried about the breakin procedures. Enjoying it and just riding like I would.

gatdammit · Sep 2, 2015

I think most common theme you'll read or hear about breaking in new engines is avoid sustained rpm for long periods of time.

that is all. discuss.

Bike running rich

Similar threads