[Chriscm922]

I know this is something that won't have a specific answer, and that's not what I'm really looking for. I'm hoping for some kind of idea about where to start really looking. The bike is a 2013 with about 16,600 miles. Recently, I noticed it just didn't feel right when riding, it just wasn't smooth. The best way to explain it is something like sputtering a little bit, clutch slipping, or even just riding down a bumpy road. It's both while on and off the throttle, but not when I'm coasting either in neutral or with the clutch disengaged. There are no error codes, odd noises, or smells.

My initial thoughts were wheels/tires, but then I'd experience it while coasting. I would think if it was the clutch, I'd only experience it while on the throttle. I really just don't even know where to begin searching at this point.

 

[C3L1CA]

Have you done normal maintence on it like plugs and air filter recently?

 

[SkyDork]

Hmmm, let's see here. It does it while coasting.....as in when you're in Neutral or when you're in gear and engine braking? Have you tried replicating this if you have the clutch handle pulled in? If it's when the clutch handle is pulled (as it should be if coasting), then it's unlikely the clutch that's the issue here as half of it would be free-wheeling. Not unheard of, but not likely either. Time to turn to other issues. And considering you have 16k+ miles on the bike, when was the last time the chain and sprockets were replaced? I ask that because in a vast majority of these types of scenarios, it's the chain/sprocket that's lurching from tight spots and you feel it. Or it could be that the tires/wheels have a flat spot and that's what you feel.

- Check the wheels/tires for roundness
- Check the chain for tight spots are it goes around
- Check that the chain/sprockets are smooth when they mess together and aren't hitting any bolts/nuts/pieces in sprocket cover

 

[Chriscm922]

Have you done normal maintence on it like plugs and air filter recently?

Did the plugs this past winter and cleaned and oiled the air filter as well. Also checked the valve clearances.

 

[Chriscm922]

Hmmm, let's see here. It does it while coasting.....as in when you're in Neutral or when you're in gear and engine braking? Have you tried replicating this if you have the clutch handle pulled in? If it's when the clutch handle is pulled (as it should be if coasting), then it's unlikely the clutch that's the issue here as half of it would be free-wheeling. Not unheard of, but not likely either. Time to turn to other issues. And considering you have 16k+ miles on the bike, when was the last time the chain and sprockets were replaced? I ask that because in a vast majority of these types of scenarios, it's the chain/sprocket that's lurching from tight spots and you feel it. Or it could be that the tires/wheels have a flat spot and that's what you feel.



- Check the wheels/tires for roundness

- Check the chain for tight spots are it goes around

- Check that the chain/sprockets are smooth when they mess together and aren't hitting any bolts/nuts/pieces in sprocket cover

It does it while cruising or engine braking, but not when coasting with the clutch handle is squeezed or in neutral. I may have said that ass backwards before. That's the main reason I assumed it wasn't the wheels/tires.
In all honesty, the chain and sprockets are from when I did the conversion, which was pretty much off the showroom floor. I like to think I'm pretty good at keeping it cleaned and lubed. But I really didn't know what to expect to get out of it. But by the sounds of it, I'm probably overdue.
I guess I assumed if it was the chain and sprockets it would do it while coasting as well.

 

[SkyDork]

It does it while cruising or engine braking, but not when coasting with the clutch handle is squeezed or in neutral. I may have said that ass backwards before. That's the main reason I assumed it wasn't the wheels/tires.
In all honesty, the chain and sprockets are from when I did the conversion, which was pretty much off the showroom floor. I like to think I'm pretty good at keeping it cleaned and lubed. But I really didn't know what to expect to get out of it. But by the sounds of it, I'm probably overdue.
I guess I assumed if it was the chain and sprockets it would do it while coasting as well.

So, when coating with the clutch pulled in, the chain and sprockets are freewheeling around and there's little tension on the chain. It all other circumstances there's tension on one run of the chain or the other. If tight spots exists in it, they will be felt in the zones. And depeding on how you have ridden over that 16,000 miles, you may have one area of the chain that has stretched more that another creating that tight spot. Until you measure the chain you can't tell. In a lot of cases, lifting the rear end and spinning the wheel by hand will let you visually see how the chain reacts when going around.

But given the nature of this thread/problem, that should be the first thing to replace to address the issue. :helmet:

 

[Chriscm922]

I will give that a go. Thanks again for the help. I'll give an update once I get them replaced.

 

[renais]

I had a plug go bad after only about 4K miles. Your problem sounds electrical and suspiciously like a bad plug

 

[Chriscm922]

I put the bike in the air today, and the chain definitely has some tight spots. I'm ordering replacements, because either way it needs to be done. I was thinking about a possible bad plug, but then I thought that should probably throw a code somewhere.

 

[scout]

Flat spot on tires; don't use stands? Bike sits long days. Next, some wind direction can cause a slight smoothness glitch. If you ride tiny short trips you don't ride long enough to forget about the temporary problem. Next if the rear tire is past the wear bars then it will run harder and you feel stuff easier.

 

[Chriscm922]

Flat spot on tires; don't use stands? Bike sits long days. Next, some wind direction can cause a slight smoothness glitch. If you ride tiny short trips you don't ride long enough to forget about the temporary problem. Next if the rear tire is past the wear bars then it will run harder and you feel stuff easier.

I use stands if it's going to be sitting for any more than a few days at a time. The feeling hasn't been a one time thing. I was hoping it was something like that but it's been that way for a little bit, it's just been getting significantly worse. The bike is mainly ridden to and from work, as with work, school, and kids free time isn't available often. The commute is 50 miles one way. I was toying with the idea it was the road surfaces, etc., but it happens everywhere at every speed.

 

[jamesbuckland102]

Perhaps in need of an oil/filter change? If it is only felt when the clutch is engaged maybe maybe you could be feeling dirty oil moving about.

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[scout]

I use stands if it's going to be sitting for any more than a few days at a time. The feeling hasn't been a one time thing. I was hoping it was something like that but it's been that way for a little bit, it's just been getting significantly worse. The bike is mainly ridden to and from work, as with work, school, and kids free time isn't available often. The commute is 50 miles one way. I was toying with the idea it was the road surfaces, etc., but it happens everywhere at every speed.

OK, you ride about every day. Next question: is the bike flashed; did you use fuel additives; what mods; are you the original owner as in did you put on the total miles. Was any work done of the bike prior to this problem. Looking for history as in looking for total data.

 

[Honey Badger]

If your chain has tight spots that's more than likely the issue. Once that's changed out, see if it goes away. If not, then continue trouble shooting, but until then, I'd say that's the likely culprit. I've had chains get tight spots (and I'm religious about cleaning and lubing stuff) and experienced mostly what you described, always worse when the engine is engaged.

 

[Chriscm922]

OK, you ride about every day. Next question: is the bike flashed; did you use fuel additives; what mods; are you the original owner as in did you put on the total miles. Was any work done of the bike prior to this problem. Looking for history as in looking for total data.

The bike was purchased new, it is flashed and has a custom tune. I run seafoam through every few tanks or so, nothing religious. There are quite a few mods, but nothing has been done in the last 6 months.

 

[Chriscm922]

Perhaps in need of an oil/filter change? If it is only felt when the clutch is engaged maybe maybe you could be feeling dirty oil moving about.

If your chain has tight spots that's more than likely the issue. Once that's changed out, see if it goes away. If not, then continue trouble shooting, but until then, I'd say that's the likely culprit. I've had chains get tight spots (and I'm religious about cleaning and lubing stuff) and experienced mostly what you described, always worse when the engine is engaged.

The chain and sprockets are on order. I figured I'd do an oil change while I was working on it since it's coming up on needing a change anyway. I'm hoping after that it's back to running smooth again.

 

[Chriscm922]

Finally got around to getting the new chain and sprockets installed, oil changed, and brake pads. Took it out for a spin and it definitely felt better. I didn't notice any jerking or anything. It was a quick ride, so I'll get a better feel tomorrow on my way to work.

 

[Kawasexy]

If you think it is the clutch go 30mph in 6th and roll on it hard... If the clutch plates are bad it will instantly rev up but you will not accelerate.

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