New 2014, Not sure if I have a problem

[DBM_imp]

Hmmmm. Mine is smooth as silk. Let us know how this plays out.

[mjturmelle_imp]

Well, I am feeling the type of frustration that can only be felt after leaving a dealership when you know that the service manager didn’t really care to provide service to you. I brought the bike in for it’s first service primarily to have the rough riding characteristics looked into (I normally do my own oil changes). After making some minor adjustments to the front and rear suspension, the service manager proclaimed that the bike was now riding great and that they could not replicate the issue between 45-55 mph (despite gear and despite rpm). I rode less than 5 minutes to the interstate. As soon as I hit 45 mph, the roughness returned. I now firmly believe that this is a tire issue. Thinking about taking it to a different dealer. Assuming that if the stock tires had a flat spot (after sitting in a crate for four years), any dealer could replace under warranty? I’m actually thinking about just buying new tires myself, just to ease my worrying mind.

[Cormanus]

It’s so very annoying when you think you’ve been blown off by a dealer or other service provider.

Can you find a specialist tyre dealer and go and talk to them? Or a small specialist motorcycle workshop where you might get better service? You could also try asking a friend to ride your bike for you to see whether they have the same issue.

[SportsterDoc]

1. What is the tire pressure?

2. On the center stand, hand spin the rear tire and look for out of round.

3. Block up the front of the frame so the front tire can spin and look for out of round.

4. Pull the spark plugs and check that all 4 are clean.

[mjturmelle_imp]

Cormanus - exactly. I felt blown off. I’ve been riding for almost 35 years. I’m not an idiot. I’ve had poor service at this dealer before and I only purchased there because they had “new” 2014’s.

Sportsterdoc, I think it is the front tire. I showed it to the service manager. He told me that they would take a good look at it. He later told me that they didn’t look at the tires because the tech adjusted the suspension settings and the bike was “running great.” I haven’t looked at the plugs, but I will do that to eliminate that as a possible cause.

[Cormanus]

Blokes who know about tyres—and Im not one of them—can have a quick look and tell you if they're out of shape. Why would the dealer not check anyway. My mechanic always has a good look at all that stuff when I take the bike to him.

[PowerDubs_imp]

If the shop isn't up to snuff as is- do NOT have them look at the plugs.

What's a TQ wrench? Says the monkey as they stress or strip your fragile aluminum threads....

Your plugs are fine..and certainly wouldn't be speed dependent. If anything they would be more noticeable at idle as a percentage of misfire.

[SportsterDoc]

Cormanus - exactly. I felt blown off. I’ve been riding for almost 35 years. I’m not an idiot. I’ve had poor service at this dealer before and I only purchased there because they had “new” 2014’s.

Sportsterdoc, I think it is the front tire. I showed it to the service manager. He told me that they would take a good look at it. He later told me that they didn’t look at the tires because the tech adjusted the suspension settings and the bike was “running great.” I haven’t looked at the plugs, but I will do that to eliminate that as a possible cause.

The cam covers make good hand warmers in the winter...at least for the left hand. Put a gloved hand on one when rough and not rough and feel if it is in the motor (not likely) or not.

As for the plugs, that was step 4, after 1-3. If the tire pressure is not super high (I like 38 in the front), if the front is not out of round, then it could be something as simple as a plug wire not secure and bouncing at certain rpms. If so, (a) the affected plug may not be burning as clean and (b) you would find the loose plug cap when checking the plugs. I checked mine 3 times in about 10,000 miles. They always looked like new.

If the shop isn't up to snuff as is- do NOT have them look at the plugs.

What's a TQ wrench? Says the monkey as they stress or strip your fragile aluminum threads....

Your plugs are fine..and certainly wouldn't be speed dependent. If anything they would be more noticeable at idle as a percentage of misfire.

Assumptions can mislead remote diagnostics. If I stated reasons for each suggestion, each time, my posts would be much longer.

[PowerDubs_imp]

Cormanus - exactly. I felt blown off. I’ve been riding for almost 35 years. I’m not an idiot. I’ve had poor service at this dealer before and I only purchased there because they had “new” 2014’s.

Sportsterdoc, I think it is the front tire. I showed it to the service manager. He told me that they would take a good look at it. He later told me that they didn’t look at the tires because the tech adjusted the suspension settings and the bike was “running great.” I haven’t looked at the plugs, but I will do that to eliminate that as a possible cause.

The cam covers make good hand warmers in the winter...at least for the left hand. Put a gloved hand on one when rough and not rough and feel if it is in the motor (not likely) or not.

As for the plugs, that was step 4, after 1-3. If the tire pressure is not super high (I like 38 in the front), if the front is not out of round, then it could be something as simple as a plug wire not secure and bouncing at certain rpms. If so, (a) the affected plug may not be burning as clean and (b) you would find the loose plug cap when checking the plugs. I checked mine 3 times in about 10,000 miles. They always looked like new.

If the shop isn't up to snuff as is- do NOT have them look at the plugs.

What's a TQ wrench? Says the monkey as they stress or strip your fragile aluminum threads....

Your plugs are fine..and certainly wouldn't be speed dependent. If anything they would be more noticeable at idle as a percentage of misfire.

Assumptions can mislead remote diagnostics. If I stated reasons for each suggestion, each time, my posts would be much longer.

No- knowledge and experience can disregard needless time, effort and possible damage.

There is ZERO chance on a leftover '14 of bad plugs.

There is ZERO chance on a leftover '14 of a loose plug cap causing roughness that only shows up at 45mph.

In fact- I'd say you can take a '14 leftover bike out of a crate in '24, '34, '44, '54, '64.. and it would start right up with a new battery and fuel if it was always dry- running perfectly.

I repeat- do NOT have them check the plugs. More harm than good can come from that. If you want to do it yourself- buy a tq wrench and do it right. It is not the cause of your problem and will not fix the issue.

You are correct it probably is the tire- but that also may go away with a long higher speed ride at proper tire pressure to heat the carcass. Hit the highway and cruise for an hour out and back at 80mph.

[mturmelle_imp]

Thanks, gentlemen. The interesting thing - and the reason that I believe that it is the tire(s) - is that I have figured out that it is only speed dependent. No issues at idle, not dependent on a particular gear, and not limited to a particular rpm. It only starts at around 45 mph and is most noticeable between 45-55 mph. While it is still there above 55, it is not as noticeable.


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