Broke down and towed back home

[adelii]

So i was cruising down the interstate at about 65 when all of a sudden i feel a loss of power and cant get the bike to go past 45 mph. Then i hear popping from the exhaust. I was able to get her to the side of the rode. I called a tow and got her back home. i tried to start her but i just doesnt want to. I hear it trying to start but it just pops and dies.


where do i start? it has gas.

[JeffH]

So i was cruising down the interstate at about 65 when all of a sudden i feel a loss of power and cant get the bike to go past 45 mph. Then i hear popping from the exhaust. I was able to get her to the side of the rode. I called a tow and got her back home. i tried to start her but i just doesnt want to. I hear it trying to start but it just pops and dies.


where do i start? it has gas.

Cruising to cursing that stinks.

Whats the condition of the pickup coil wires?
Rub through the insulation on a wire and they ground out nicely. btdt broken wire inside too can do same thing.
Pull the timing cover and look. A good place to start, imho

Jeff

[dbeardslee]

I hope when you say tow you mean something like a Jerdan that picks the whole bike up. It's a major no-no to tow an XS11 with the back wheel on the ground. Without the motor running the transmission isn't being lubricated, and you can booger up your tranny by towing it that way.

[adelii]

It was pushed up on a flat bed


i will check all the coils next weekend.

[MaximPhil]

It was pushed up on a flat bed

i will check all the coils next weekend.

Hi Adelii,
As JeffH suggests the pick up coil wires under the cover on the left side of engine are a prime suspect. Pull each one as they frequently break inside the insulation. Also check the connections to he main coils under the tank. Kink / blocked fuel hoses can also severely restrict how fast it will go.
Phil

[skids]

It does seem like a fuel delivery problem; however, usually there will be 2 cylinders dropping out and not all 4. Let me just say that I have had a maintenance free battery fail while running and the black box will not provide continuous fire to all 4. You would have other clues, like the tachometer displaying low rpms as it is failing...

[trbig]

I hope when you say tow you mean something like a Jerdan that picks the whole bike up. It's a major no-no to tow an XS11 with the back wheel on the ground. Without the motor running the transmission isn't being lubricated, and you can booger up your tranny by towing it that way.

Huh? There is no oil pressure going to your transmission when it's running. It's an oil bath. It simply splashes around in there whether towing or under its own power. Middle drive lubed, final drive lubed... Good to go on towing a bike, it's just sketchy to do so. Especially off of Colorado mountains in the snow. lol.

As to the original question, I'd say pickup coil wires as well, but also, you may want to check your timing. If your cam chain adjuster got a lot of slack, it could have jumped timing. You can just pull your #1 spark plug and use a plastic straw or something to find top dead center-ish to get you close, then see if you're still on your "T" mark. You'll have to have that left cover off anyway to check pickup coil wires.

[mikubuilder]

Had the same thing happen to me....pick up coil wires

[motoman]

I hope when you say tow you mean something like a Jerdan that picks the whole bike up. It's a major no-no to tow an XS11 with the back wheel on the ground. Without the motor running the transmission isn't being lubricated, and you can booger up your tranny by towing it that way.

.....A definite false statement at best my friend .

[adelii]

Thanks guys, once i figure it out ill let you guys know. any help on where to buy wires and coils?

i did notice the wire from the stator that goes between frame and engine is exposed. i wonder if it got to hot.

[dbeardslee]

Huh? There is no oil pressure going to your transmission when it's running. It's an oil bath. It simply splashes around in there whether towing or under its own power. Middle drive lubed, final drive lubed... Good to go on towing a bike, it's just sketchy to do so. Especially off of Colorado mountains in the snow. lol.

"Do not glide for long periods with the engine off, and do not tow the machine a long distance. Even with gears in neutral, the transmission is only properly lubricated when the engine is running. Inadequate lubrication may damage the transmission."

- Straight out of the Owner's Manual.

[dbeardslee]

Thanks guys, once i figure it out ill let you guys know. any help on where to buy wires and coils?

i did notice the wire from the stator that goes between frame and engine is exposed. i wonder if it got to hot.

The wires that run from the stator go to a connector that sits behind the fuse panel. That connector is notorious for getting hot and melting. Might want to take a look. JAT

[motoman]

Huh? There is no oil pressure going to your transmission when it's running. It's an oil bath. It simply splashes around in there whether towing or under its own power. Middle drive lubed, final drive lubed... Good to go on towing a bike, it's just sketchy to do so. Especially off of Colorado mountains in the snow. lol.

As to the original question, I'd say pickup coil wires as well, but also, you may want to check your timing. If your cam chain adjuster got a lot of slack, it could have jumped timing. You can just pull your #1 spark plug and use a plastic straw or something to find top dead center-ish to get you close, then see if you're still on your "T" mark. You'll have to have that left cover off anyway to check pickup coil wires.

Yup.......that definitely turned into a fiasco for you guys a 120mi. south of me.

[BA80]

Yup.......that definitely turned into a fiasco for you guys a 120mi. south of me.

Towing him down the far side of Red Mountain into Silverton was the easy part. The hard part was following the tow truck over the next pass in the dark in blizzard conditions into Durango with Tod suffering in that hot cab of the towtruck.

We felt sorry for him..........

[XJOK2PLAY]

Towing him down the far side of Red Mountain into Silverton was the easy part. The hard part was following the tow truck over the next pass in the dark in blizzard conditions into Durango with Tod suffering in that hot cab of the towtruck.

We felt sorry for him..........

+1.