Motorcycle Help

[and1grad]

For any of you that have a motorcycle or are otherwise good with engines, I'm having some trouble with mine. For some reason, its started to stall almost everytime I downshift. I just recently got it back from the dealership after they replaced the battery and they might have tweaked my idle rpm. I'm wondering if thats it b/c I'm noticing that if I'm not close to 2000 rpms when I release the clutch, I stall. If it helps, this is a 2006 kawasaki zr750s. Also, its fuel-injection.

Help!

[dengeist]

Your spark plug may be fouled or you might have to adjust your idle speed. 2000 rpm sounds a little high.

[midtwenty]

If it idles ok in neutral it's likely not the idle speed. I'd suggest starting simple, with the fuel filter. It could be partially clogged. Since it doesn't have carbs, and if it's not the filter you may have clogged injectors. Which will be expensive to have worked on, as I'm sure you know. Also, check your air filter - if it's dirty you're probably running rich and fouling the plugs. I'm not good with Kawi's (got 5 Hondas in my garage) so I don't know what sort of fuel delivery system it's got. It could even be the fuel pump, if there's one on it. My hubby had to replace the pump on his CBR a few months back.

I think it's fuel related. Start trying stuff and eliminating what it ISN'T. Try the plugs and the fuel filter first. Holler at me if you keep running into walls. I'm pretty good at this stuff and my husband is a mad genius. Also, one of our best friends is currently attending Motorcycle Mechanic's Institute in Phoenix.

Good luck!

[and1grad]

Well, its under warranty so I wont pay anything. I was just hoping it was something I was doing wrong. The shop had it for a week the last time and I'm starting to think they're not all that competent. I'm a complete noob to motorcycles in general and have no idea how to check the things you're talking about. This page seems to have a lot of info on it. http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/ZR750S-Z750S.htm Does any of that help?

[midtwenty]

If you're not a good mechanic and you suspect your current place sucks, the first order of business is finding a new one. Is there another dealership or shop in your area that can perform warranty work? It doesn't necessarily even have to be a dealership, really. It's the same as with cars - just find a mechanic who can perform warranty service and they should be able to help you. Don't monkey around with something that you're unsure of. That's just likely to make things worse.

If it were me, I'd take it 10 different places if I had to, to find a shop where I was comfortable with the service and felt like I wasn't getting ripped off. Too bad you don't live near me! I know a guy ;) The hubby had his CR500R stripped to the frame last week, but put it all back together in a couple of days.

You might even check with your local BBB to see which shops have good ratings. Get out the yellow pages and let your fingers do the walkin'. Get it fixed before you ride it much more, but I don't have to tell you that, right?

Good luck!

P.S.
That's a nice looking bike. Have you ridden much before? A 750 is NOT a novice bike.

[and1grad]

Nope its my first bike. I'm actually not having much trouble with it other than what I've described earlier. I actually noticed that the engine is cutting as soon as I pull the clutch in, rather than while downshifting.

I didnt realize other shops can do warranty work. I'll have to try and look for that. Another question, bike locks...any recommendations?

[midtwenty]

Be careful out there. You've got a lot of power under you. Practice! Read up about the finer points of riding - like how not to high side or the surprising things that can make you wash in a corner. And no hot rodding!! Assume that every other driver on the road is going to screw you and ride like you're invisible.

Token mom lecture over. ;)

Clarify for me: are you matching your revs before downshifting? Meaning, are you cracking the throttle a hair immediately before pulling the clutch to shift, and it still tries to act hinky? If you pull and hold the clutch, does it die? Sputter and die? Or do the revs just drop until you give it gas and continue the gear shift? How long has it been doing this?

As far as bike locks go, myeh. Nothing to recommend. But, if you're looking for a good source for accessories and such, I highly recommend http://chaparralmotorsports.com.

[and1grad]

Be careful out there. You've got a lot of power under you. Practice! Read up about the finer points of riding - like how not to high side or the surprising things that can make you wash in a corner. And no hot rodding!! Assume that every other driver on the road is going to screw you and ride like you're invisible.

Token mom lecture over. ;)
Thanks momtwenty! ;) I know how not to high side but what kind of surprising things are you talking about? I hate surprises!! I absolutely do assume that every other driver is a knucklehead...and I've already been right to assume that a couple of times.

Clarify for me: are you matching your revs before downshifting? Meaning, are you cracking the throttle a hair immediately before pulling the clutch to shift, and it still tries to act hinky? If you pull and hold the clutch, does it die? Sputter and die? Or do the revs just drop until you give it gas and continue the gear shift? How long has it been doing this?

As far as bike locks go, myeh. Nothing to recommend. But, if you're looking for a good source for accessories and such, I highly recommend http://chaparralmotorsports.com.
I'm almost positive that I'm not consistently matching my rpms b4 downshifting. Is that what they call "blipping" or something? I noticed that the engine does not die when I do that. Just wasnt sure if I was supposed to NEED to do that. No sputtering just shuts right off. Its been doing that since I finally started going fast enough to warrant shifting up to 3rd gear. I have to at least be in 3rd for it to happen.

Thanks for the link. Do you have any of those saddlebags or other types of bags on any of your bikes? I'm think of getting a tailbag but it looks like getting on & off the bike would be a PITA.

[midtwenty]

Actually, something as simple as your front tire being worn can cause you to wash in a corner. Sand or gravel, as I'm sure you know. Wet pavement. Not hitting the apex of the turn correctly is one of the big ones that new riders often get surprised with. Dropping a foot, snagging a peg on a curb - tons of stuff. There are some really good riding forums out there that have a bunch of tips and info. I'll post some links for you tonight.

You should be matching on your shifts. The relationship between gas and clutch is a lot tighter on a bike than in a standard vehicle, so people tend to drive a bike like a car and don't match the rpms. Try that and see if your shifting doesn't smooth out and get better.

As for the sputtering but no dying in 3rd or higher - that's worrisome. It could be your top end needs work. You might have low compression, which robs you of power in the higher gears. It can also make the bike hard to start. Has it been starting ok? The more you tell me about it, the more I think you need to shop around for a good mechanic. It could be something as simple as a partially clogged fuel filter, or compression problems. Maybe the baffles are torn.....hmmm.

If you don't want to wear a backpack (the single strap kind that slant over your chest are pretty good), I'd suggest a tank bag. Most of them attach with strong magnets, so aren't likely to scratch the paint. No prob getting on and off the bike, but can be a PITA if you need to get gas. Saddlebags work ok, but I think they look stupid. Just my humble opinion. ;) But at least with a tank bag you can carry what you need but it isn't smacking you in the back the whole way.

[and1grad]

Agreed on the saddlebags. You know what, its not even giving me a chance to match the rpms. I pretty match cant downshift from 4th w/o the engine cutting right off. There is no sputtering going on. It will cut off like a light switch. I know taking it to the shop AGAIN is an inevitability. :mad: