Sputtering

[BIG--T]

Mine was running fine until I went on reserve for about 10 miles. After filling up and and putting her back in the on position, I noticed at idle and slow revving up to 3k rpm it is sputtering then clears up. At idle a popping sound. I don't know if this had anything to do with riding on reserve for the first time. I'm gonna put some Techron in it and hope that will help. If it doesn't help what should I look for. My plugs are new.

Thanks, Tony

[X Ring]

Could be as simple as old gas in the bottom of your tank.  When I started riding a few years ago, a friend told me to switch to reserve every few tanks to use that old gas so you have decent gas if you need it.  Drain your carb bowls then go ahead and double dose it with Techron.  Let us know how it goes.

Marty

[Farther]

With a single tank, no separate reserve tank, I don't see how the gas would not mix completely during normal operating conditons and during refueling.  More likely you filled up with poor quality gas.

[X Ring]

With a single tank, no separate reserve tank, I don't see how the gas would not mix completely during normal operating conditons and during refueling.  More likely you filled up with poor quality gas.

It would mix completely; however, it won't stay mixed.  It will separate.  Especially that crappy ethanol and the water would end up in the bottom of the tank.  That includes any condensation and absorbed water because water is heavier than gas.

Marty

[Farther]

You have to have a lot of water for the fuel to go into phase separation.  Highly unlikely if the bike it being operated and refueled on a regular basis.  If his bike had set for a long time I could understand.  Most likely it is a temparary condition.

[Jess from VA]

You buy a used bike, it likely sat, maybe for quite a while.  Sediment at the bottom unlikely mixes very much, even bouncing around on a full tank.  I think running on reserve for an hour after fillup is a good idea from time to time.  Just remember to switch back after the hour. 

[BIG--T]

Thanks guys for the help. I bought in february and has been riden ever since once or twice during the week and 300-700 miles on the weekends, so no I don't let my girl sit!
It just started the the day before I posted. I will drian the bowls, more Techron and ride it on reserve for an hour and see what happens.

Thanks, Tony

[Ricky-D]

I'm with Farther on this.

Crappy gas.

I also don't  subscribe to the notion that running on reserve will do anything different since the main supply will still be functioning and the gas doesn't have a sense of what you want it to do.

If you on the other hand want to empty the bottom contents you must run the tank "dry" and carry a remote can of gas to get started up again.

***

[BIG--T]

Thanks guys, I think I just run the Techron for a while and see what happens. There were a couple stations selling non- ethenol but now has stopped. it's hard in my area to find non-ethenol.

[Farther]

I you stay with a name brand, high through-put stations your problems won't be gas related unless you let your bike sit for a long time especially with a partial tank of gas.

[BIG--T]

No I don't let mine sit hardly at all, maybe 2-3 days.

[sugerbear]

+1 on the busy gas station. i never fill up at a little no name station. well once in Montana, only station around for seemed like hundres of miles

[X Ring]

I always fill up at the locally owned no name convenience store here.  Their gas doesn't sit long.  They're one of only two stores here that sell real gas.  They get a lot of business from lawn care companies and others that don't need ethanol screwing up their equipment.

Marty 

[Willow]

If you on the other hand want to empty the bottom contents you must run the tank "dry" and carry a remote can of gas to get started up again.

Not quite so.  Whereas I agree that turning to the reserve position won't assure you that fuel is leaving the tank by that orifice, you don't really have to run it bone dry.  As the reserve setting opening is at the bottom of the tank, the first sip on reserve with the fuel below the normal on setting comes from the bottom of the tank.

You don't need to run it empty, but you do need to run it until it really must feed from the reserve position.

[BIG--T]

If you on the other hand want to empty the bottom contents you must run the tank "dry" and carry a remote can of gas to get started up again.

Not quite so.  Whereas I agree that turning to the reserve position won't assure you that fuel is leaving the tank by that orifice, you don't really have to run it bone dry.  As the reserve setting opening is at the bottom of the tank, the first sip on reserve with the fuel below the normal on setting comes from the bottom of the tank.

You don't need to run it empty, but you do need to run it until it really must feed from the reserve position.

So if I get say 30 mpg, run it 25 miles on reserve?

Thanks

[Willow]

If you on the other hand want to empty the bottom contents you must run the tank "dry" and carry a remote can of gas to get started up again.

Not quite so.  Whereas I agree that turning to the reserve position won't assure you that fuel is leaving the tank by that orifice, you don't really have to run it bone dry.  As the reserve setting opening is at the bottom of the tank, the first sip on reserve with the fuel below the normal on setting comes from the bottom of the tank.

You don't need to run it empty, but you do need to run it until it really must feed from the reserve position.

So if I get say 30 mpg, run it 25 miles on reserve? 

I'm not certain whether you missed the point.  When you have to go to reserve, that is when she coughs and sputters in the on position, she immediately begins to feed off the bottom of the tank.  If the objective is to now and then process what's on the bottom of the tank, it's done.  Twenty-five miles or file miles makes no difference.

I don't personally have that concern because I seldom put fuel in the tank when it hasn't been turned to reserve.    

[BIG--T]

If you on the other hand want to empty the bottom contents you must run the tank "dry" and carry a remote can of gas to get started up again.

Not quite so.  Whereas I agree that turning to the reserve position won't assure you that fuel is leaving the tank by that orifice, you don't really have to run it bone dry.  As the reserve setting opening is at the bottom of the tank, the first sip on reserve with the fuel below the normal on setting comes from the bottom of the tank.

You don't need to run it empty, but you do need to run it until it really must feed from the reserve position.

So if I get say 30 mpg, run it 25 miles on reserve? 

I'm not certain whether you missed the point.  When you have to go to reserve, that is when she coughs and sputters in the on position, she immediately begins to feed off the bottom of the tank.  If the objective is to now and then process what's on the bottom of the tank, it's done.  Twenty-five miles or file miles makes no difference.

I don't personally have that concern because I seldom put fuel in the tank when it hasn't been turned to reserve.    

OK Got it. Yeah I know that sound bc  I've had to switch to reserve about 3 times now since I got it in March.