Haven't ridden in 5 weeks. Took her out yesterday. Rode for about 15 mins and then realized that I missed my exit to my practice area. U-Turn. On the way back, I decide to hit it, 4th 5th then i get a strange sound around 7k it sounded like a rev limiter sound coming out of the exhaust. I pull over a rev. It sounds fine. I listen to intake, OK. Get back on, its doing it again 3rd and 4th gear 7-10k.

A freind says my clutch is on the way out. What do you guys think?

I should add that it cleared up later that day and that when it did it there was power loss.

I would hate to get banked over and not have the power, or worse need to get away in traffic.

perhaps crap in your fuel from sitting over 5 weeks?!?

Moisture maybe?

I took her out yesterday. Cruising at 7k. Smoothly creeping up to 7.5 the sound starts coming back. Back off it goes away. Then it hits me: "I remember hearing that sound last time I rode her hard...at the track". What did I change before the track? I put on a PowerCommander map I got from Muzzy. It sounds like its running on 2.5 cylinders. Can a poor map cause this kind of sound coming from the exhaust along with lack of power and inconsistent firing?

Yep, it may be running too rich in that range. Rich will cause the exhaust to be a lil quieter and a power loss.

It's same volume but sounds sick (not in a good way). I'll look at the numbers on the map, but if I recall, it's leaned out in that range. Strangely I noticed that after slowing and coming for a stop at the next light, the noise point began to move down the rev range. It went to 5.5 then 3.5 then 2k. I got to my destination, shut down and then went home with less predictible problem. Bike wasn't overheating.

worst comes to worst, just disconnect the PC and run it without and see if you have the same issue.

Got the map. I sent you a e-mail back.

Have you checked the battery terminals? So often, you'll hit just the right resonance to jiggle a loose terminal. Since the F4i can't run w/o battery power you get stuttering and power loiss.

I figured it was electrical. I was looking at my Haynes lastnight (I hate Haynes BTW) to see if I could determine what ignition components to look at.



Does the F4i's ECU throw OBD trouble codes?

Yes, if you have a code you will get a FI light on the dash.

I am still betting it's the Map.

I replied to your email. I'll see about changing the map back to the one I had before. Don't know when I'll be able to test ride again. I'll let you know.

I changed the map prior to my ride yesterday. Cruising with no problems. Got into traffic and fan came on. Then I noticed that the problem started back after the fan came on. Was around 6k. It definately is NOT a transmission or clutch problem as I can hear it slightly while at 0 MPH, clutch pulled in, revving engine. So, I said to heck with it, I'll ride until the FI light comes on, but it never did. After several parks, it didn't come back on the rest of the day. I put on oabout 80 miles, refueled and rode some more.

This is puzzling me to even know where I need to look. I've have a difficult time understanding how the spark gets to the engine. What manages the spark timing and production? There's no distributor cap and rotor, right?

Baiscally you have a coil attached to the top of each spark plug. The computer sends a signal to each coil to fire in sequnce. That's all there is to it. No plug wires, no cap and rotor.

Is it pinging or is it missing? If it is happening after the fan kicks on, it almost sounds like it may be pinging. That would make more sense if the Muzzy map was causing it by being too lean in some areas.

If you think it's pinging try a tankful of the highest octane gas you can get. If it goes away, then it's pinging and you need to look at your fuel system.

ORIGINAL: F1_Fan

Have you checked the battery terminals? So often, you'll hit just the right resonance to jiggle a loose terminal. Since the F4i can't run w/o battery power you get stuttering and power loiss.


Since when? When I bought my F4i, the battery was shot, wouldnt hold a charge at all, wouldnt even turn the bike on, so I bump started it just to test ride, it ran great, no complaints except the battery.

It won't run WITHOUT the battery. It will run with a dead battery. Something has to complete the circuit where the battery is.

Yes, I spent some time "push starting" my bike. I like to pretend it was the start of an "old skool" GP race.:D

ORIGINAL: Blackdog F4i

Baiscally you have a coil attached to the top of each spark plug. The computer sends a signal to each coil to fire in sequnce. That's all there is to it. No plug wires, no cap and rotor.

Is it pinging or is it missing? If it is happening after the fan kicks on, it almost sounds like it may be pinging. That would make more sense if the Muzzy map was causing it by being too lean in some areas.

If you think it's pinging try a tankful of the highest octane gas you can get. If it goes away, then it's pinging and you need to look at your fuel system.

Never pinged. I was running high octane at the time it started. What's the best way to get to the coils/ sparkplugs? How can I check the coils for proper operation, esp since it's no longer fouling on me? I not one of the people that believe that mysterious problems just go away.

Pull your plugs. The coils are on top of them. You need to check your plugs out. That's the best way to see if the coils are working and if you are running rich/lead etc.

Was hoping to avoid that, but I guess I'll have to.

On the right side (not sure what cylinder # it is) I found the coil was loose enough to cause this condition. How much of the rubber boot should be sticking above the head, and what can I use to firmly seat it back into place? I can just about access it by removing the right side fairing.

I don't remember. I just know I push them on far enough that I think I will break it if I push further. Then I give it a little tug to make sure they don't come back off.