Is this normal: 2000 rpm 2nd gear hesitation?

[codetonic]

I've had my 2000 Valkyrie for only a few weeks. On the the big open road the performance is mind blowing. Acceleration, passing, handling, most impressive. However, in town, especially 25mph zones it doesn't seem right. At ~2000 rpm in 2nd or 3rd gear it seems to hesitate repeatedly. It never loses power or dies it just isn't perfectly smooth. Is this normal?

[Mr Steve]

Could be dirty slow jets.  You can try this:

Fill the tank, add an entire "treats 12 gal" bottle of Techron

Drive the entire tank away (as much as you can in that 2nd and 3rd gear hesitation range).

See if that makes a difference.

Edit:  If it doesn't, I'd move to looking for vac leaks, but try the easiest first.  Techron it (Edit again: or seafoam it).

[RoadKill]

Seafoam fuel treatment is my choice of "mechanic in a can" but Steve nailed it...slow jets. Run it in the stumble range with an additive and cross yer fingers

[codetonic]

Thanks. Kinda what I figured. Worst case is a carb cleaning?
It only has 18000 miles on it but it sat some before I got it.

I've cleaned the carbs on a Kawasaki 1000. They came out
as a bank of 4. Is this similar on the Valkyrie? Does each
side come out as a bank of 3?

[RoadKill]

All 6 come out together is the best method.  Doubt you have to go that far. Run some cleaner and if that dont work..you have lots of help here

[R J]

I have the best luck, putting in a full can of SeaFoam, running it around at slow speed to get it in the slow jet range, your stumble range, for about 30 minutes, take it home and let it set overnight.

Next day run the tank out, in or under 2000 RPM.     I know, it is tough to do that, but you won't clean the slow jets in the high RPM range jets.

I usually let it set 2 nights with the SeaFoam in it and let it soak the slow jets good.   2nd tank of fuel also gets a full can of SeaFoam, this one is not as critical to stay in the lower RPM's.     When I know the bike is going to set for any period of time, it gets a SeaFoam treatment.

Are you running plain regular, 87 octane?   If not, then do so, that expensive stuff doesn't do you diddle damn........  except get deeper into your pocketbook every fill up.

If that doesn't cure it, go get about 6 foot of rubber tubing, should fitt your little stub on like #6 carb.   Start changing out all of these tubes.   ALL of them, pick up a couple of little rubber terminator caps of the same size.

Now, if that doesn't cure it, ya'll get to pull the carb bank and gop through the carbs.    That is the reason we say do the easy stuff 1st.

Good year on just the SeaFoam.