Motor Hesitation during slow speed manuvers

[tnichols]

36 degrees out tonight and on my way home, after about 25 miles of interstate riding. The motor on my 2005 S50 started to hesitate and sputter during slow speed manuvers. It even backfired a few times during the last 5 miles from the interstate to the house. The bike has almost 5,000 miles on it and has not had any problems until now. I filled the bike up with 87 octane gas right after leaving work and turned off the choke completely before getting onto the highway. I would take it to the dealership, but they are closed on Sunday and I work all day Monday. I have another ride I'm committed to on Tuesday so any advice on this would be appreciated. I've worked on plenty of cars but this is my first bike.

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[Clint]

Some bikes, due to lean factory mixes, just need some choke when it's that cold. Have you changed anything in the intake/exhaust? Your bike's EFI, right? Have you had it out in temps that low before?

[tnichols]

The bike is bone stock right now. Carberated not injected and I've had it out in temps like this all winter. I commute 60 miles a day on it. The only time I don't ride is when it is going to rain/snow/sleet or get too much below 30.

[Danr]

You filled up before your trip home so I would suggest that you might have got some bad gas, it takes awhile for it to show up sometimes. could be water in there. I would drain the tank and refill it and add some dry gas to it before going to the dealer.

[DrBob]

I agree with Danr: your first step should be to simply add some dry gas to your tank. I wouldn't even worry about draining the gas, as you will run through the tank in less than two days, just put some dry gas in the tank now, and again when you fill up.

[Blade]

If you got gas that has water in it and the temps are that low, with the wind chill factor, you might get some carb icing. Which could cause what you are discribing.

[Bad Boy]

i have to run with the choke on alittle when it's below 55 or it sputters also. never sputters with choke applied. just runs lean

[tnichols]

I ran that tank until almost empty. The bike ran like crap the whole time. Then drained the last of it out and added fresh gas. Problem gone!
Dealership said I should check my idle speed. They said it may be set too high????

(5,000 miles in cold weather all winter without any problems)

[Danr]

I ran that tank until almost empty. The bike ran like crap the whole time. Then drained the last of it out and added fresh gas. Problem gone!
Dealership said I should check my idle speed. They said it may be set too high????

(5,000 miles in cold weather all winter without any problems)

You filled up before your trip home so I would suggest that you might have got some bad gas, it takes awhile for it to show up sometimes. could be water in there. I would drain the tank and refill it and add some dry gas to it before going to the dealer.

Now hear this: Pat Pat Pat

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