I had a very similar problem and in the end it was solved by a ECU firmware upgrade. Made all the difference but It can still be alittle unstable when the bike gets really hot in traffic now and then, particularly on hot days.
The problem turned out the be the throttle plate. Evidently, it gets coated in carbon deposits after awhile.
Take off the airbox cover and equipment, open the throttle, and gently clean off the deposits with carb cleaner and a clean rag. Works just fine afterwards.
Sounds like a Vacuum leak problem.. If you spray carb cleaner around the engine "away from the air box" and it speeds up, it has a vacuum leak.. if it doesn't change then you don't have a leak and it's probably a problem with dirty jets or some other crappy fuel delivery problem.. The last thing it could be is the engine computer could be trying to over-choke the engine since they're EFI.. Which means the best way to fix it would be a new computer
I'm not familiar with this motorcycle, but after reading some about it... I would try unplugging the mass air flow sensor (if equipped) or the MAP sensor (if equipped) and see if it smooths out there.
emission controls such as crank case gas recirculation can some times cuase these problems but honestly i'd start with air mass though because its sounds like your ECM doesn't Know how much fuel should be going to the cyclinders because the air mass sensor giving out incorrect readings.
hi there interesting problem do you know what type of fuel injection system it uses: constant stream or sequential(probably wrong spelling) if it uses a constant stream system theres usually a electronic valve which deviates between rich and lean that screw up alot on cars(i no its a bike but if its the same system could be fualty)if its normal/sequential i would look at air mass sensor or crank angle sensor i'd also be looking at fuel injectors on both systems and emission control systems too.
Hi Catsnack, nope, that's outside. I can't imagine any reason why lighting it up in a garage would be an issue. Perhaps they meant starting it up and then shutting it down without riding it... I've heard that many times before.
It looks like your running it in a garage, I have been warned multiple times by different mechanics, not to let it sit in a garage while running.... apparently it does effect the spark plugs somehow....??? sorry, thats all the input I can give.
hey Gsimpson... doesn't ping at all. We've never really had a good link with ECM spy. Something about the 08's doesn't allow connect, if I remember correctly. Or maybe the engine has to be running... definitely different from the earlier ECM models.
Maybe its the timing. If I ever get ECMSpy going, I will try adjusting mine and see if it helps. Does the bike like to ping alot after sitting in traffic?
but I had a 01 buell blast that did some thing close to that turn out to be dirt in the carb it look like mud it was causing the auto choke to stick on.
I'm having the exact same problems with my 2008 XB12X. Have to start it like 6 times before it decides to idle somewhat normal. Before it dies it's gasping and coughing. Once it warms up it runs ok, but if I hit the throttle hard under a load, it bogs down. Just had the ECM reflashed, and I changed my plugs. The rear plug looked fine but the front was sooty black like it was running rich. The problem seems to be gradually getting worse. Hope one of us figures something out!
Generally I ride it for a while. I live 15 miles from work, so most of my riding is continuous. I'm familiar with the warnings that moving your Buell around the parking lot can result in fouled plugs, and try not to light it up for trivial purposes.
Mine did the same thing for awhile. How far do you ride it each time before shutting it off? Do you let it warm up to where it turns the fan on when you turn the bike off?
Damn, Joel.. that sounds really bad. My first inclination is ECM.. maybe something else fuel related? Almost sounds like my Duc did when she ran out of gas.. but I'm not really an expert. I'll ask Tracy what he thinks, maybe he can provide some input.
I had a very similar problem and in the end it was solved by a ECU firmware upgrade. Made all the difference but It can still be alittle unstable when the bike gets really hot in traffic now and then, particularly on hot days.
devonbiker 7 months ago
*Solution*
The problem turned out the be the throttle plate. Evidently, it gets coated in carbon deposits after awhile.
Take off the airbox cover and equipment, open the throttle, and gently clean off the deposits with carb cleaner and a clean rag. Works just fine afterwards.
shakebeforeopening 11 months ago
Sounds like a Vacuum leak problem.. If you spray carb cleaner around the engine "away from the air box" and it speeds up, it has a vacuum leak.. if it doesn't change then you don't have a leak and it's probably a problem with dirty jets or some other crappy fuel delivery problem.. The last thing it could be is the engine computer could be trying to over-choke the engine since they're EFI.. Which means the best way to fix it would be a new computer
menofalts 1 year ago
My EXACT same problem right now! Also a 2008 XB12Ss Please oh please enlighten me to what solved it for you?
bruceandlisa 1 year ago
maybe a DynoJet Power Commander PC3 USB or whatever is available for your bike could help a lot
just make sure if you do so , not to add DynoJet's library MAP , spend a bit more and get a CUSTOM MAP for your bike.
Love Buell's , but all brands one in awhile WILL have a bad apple
good luck
urudufusmisrael 1 year ago
Did you figure it out? I'm thinking about getting a 2008 XB12XT, should i reconsider?
Reapers261 1 year ago
Have you resolved the problem? My buell has a similar problem
Mybuellxb12 1 year ago
Have you resolved the problem? My buell has a similar problem.
Mybuellxb12 1 year ago
I'm not familiar with this motorcycle, but after reading some about it... I would try unplugging the mass air flow sensor (if equipped) or the MAP sensor (if equipped) and see if it smooths out there.
lordxathor 2 years ago
emission controls such as crank case gas recirculation can some times cuase these problems but honestly i'd start with air mass though because its sounds like your ECM doesn't Know how much fuel should be going to the cyclinders because the air mass sensor giving out incorrect readings.
TomTheCarMan 2 years ago
hi there interesting problem do you know what type of fuel injection system it uses: constant stream or sequential(probably wrong spelling) if it uses a constant stream system theres usually a electronic valve which deviates between rich and lean that screw up alot on cars(i no its a bike but if its the same system could be fualty)if its normal/sequential i would look at air mass sensor or crank angle sensor i'd also be looking at fuel injectors on both systems and emission control systems too.
TomTheCarMan 2 years ago
Hi Freddie-
Nope, still riding the 1125CR - its been nearly 4 weeks, and I'm dying to get my bike back. No word from the dealership so far.
shakebeforeopening 2 years ago
ever get fixed???, i am thinking there has got to be some kinda air leak between the heads and the intake boot maybe??? i really dont know
freddiebigfoot 2 years ago
Hi Catsnack, nope, that's outside. I can't imagine any reason why lighting it up in a garage would be an issue. Perhaps they meant starting it up and then shutting it down without riding it... I've heard that many times before.
shakebeforeopening 2 years ago
It looks like your running it in a garage, I have been warned multiple times by different mechanics, not to let it sit in a garage while running.... apparently it does effect the spark plugs somehow....??? sorry, thats all the input I can give.
catsnack2000 2 years ago
they say not to run it in a garage becouse
1: its air cooled, no air flow, no cooling.
2: poor ventalation, you could exfixiate yourself.
enderwiggen100 2 years ago
hey Gsimpson... doesn't ping at all. We've never really had a good link with ECM spy. Something about the 08's doesn't allow connect, if I remember correctly. Or maybe the engine has to be running... definitely different from the earlier ECM models.
shakebeforeopening 2 years ago
Maybe its the timing. If I ever get ECMSpy going, I will try adjusting mine and see if it helps. Does the bike like to ping alot after sitting in traffic?
gsimpson2g 2 years ago
I don't know much about fuel injection
but I had a 01 buell blast that did some thing close to that turn out to be dirt in the carb it look like mud it was causing the auto choke to stick on.
aaronbuell 2 years ago
I'm having the exact same problems with my 2008 XB12X. Have to start it like 6 times before it decides to idle somewhat normal. Before it dies it's gasping and coughing. Once it warms up it runs ok, but if I hit the throttle hard under a load, it bogs down. Just had the ECM reflashed, and I changed my plugs. The rear plug looked fine but the front was sooty black like it was running rich. The problem seems to be gradually getting worse. Hope one of us figures something out!
zt730 2 years ago
Generally I ride it for a while. I live 15 miles from work, so most of my riding is continuous. I'm familiar with the warnings that moving your Buell around the parking lot can result in fouled plugs, and try not to light it up for trivial purposes.
shakebeforeopening 2 years ago
Mine did the same thing for awhile. How far do you ride it each time before shutting it off? Do you let it warm up to where it turns the fan on when you turn the bike off?
gsimpson2g 2 years ago
Thanks! Nope - she's fully fueled with Shell 93 octane. I've tried different gas as well - always the same effect.
shakebeforeopening 2 years ago
Damn, Joel.. that sounds really bad. My first inclination is ECM.. maybe something else fuel related? Almost sounds like my Duc did when she ran out of gas.. but I'm not really an expert. I'll ask Tracy what he thinks, maybe he can provide some input.
sekhmet1098 2 years ago