New Bike Hesitating / Sputtering

Thread starter
mininsx_imp said:
This is interesting. Seems a little "hokey" or "urban legend"-like, but what the heck do I know!! ;)

I guess it's quick and free to try it out - so I will!

Thanks guys.
ClassicVW_imp said:
xNE0x_imp said:
Um, I would be taking that bike right back to the dealership.
The more I think about it, you are right. It's not a bike that was traded in. The bike is brand new sitting on the floor with gas in the tank for maybe 8 months? (Whether or not the gas was replaced, it still sat with gas in the tank) Why would a dealer put gas in a bike that's going to be on the showroom floor? Did they prep the bike for a potential buyer or maybe someone took it on a test ride and then no one used it for months? Either way, it gives me serious doubts about using that dealership.
The more I think about it, you are right. It's not a bike that was traded in. The bike is brand new sitting on the floor with gas in the tank for maybe 8 months? (Whether or not the gas was replaced, it still sat with gas in the tank) Why would a dealer put gas in a bike that's going to be on the showroom floor? Did they prep the bike for a potential buyer or maybe someone took it on a test ride and then no one used it for months? Either way, it gives me serious doubts about using that dealership.
Another quick question guys. Can / will any local Honda dealer do factory warranty work on my new bike? IOW's, do I have to take it back to where it was purchased? There are a bunch of Honda dealers close here in Houston, I didn't buy a '14 DLX from any of them 'cuz they didn't have one to sell me! :(

Just curious, if the bike keeps sputtering after a few tankfuls, do I have to take it to the selling dealership, or can I go to one locally?
 
treytexag_imp said:
mininsx_imp said:
This is interesting. Seems a little "hokey" or "urban legend"-like, but what the heck do I know!! ;)

I guess it's quick and free to try it out - so I will!

Thanks guys.
ClassicVW_imp said:
xNE0x_imp said:
Um, I would be taking that bike right back to the dealership.
The more I think about it, you are right. It's not a bike that was traded in. The bike is brand new sitting on the floor with gas in the tank for maybe 8 months? (Whether or not the gas was replaced, it still sat with gas in the tank) Why would a dealer put gas in a bike that's going to be on the showroom floor? Did they prep the bike for a potential buyer or maybe someone took it on a test ride and then no one used it for months? Either way, it gives me serious doubts about using that dealership.
The more I think about it, you are right. It's not a bike that was traded in. The bike is brand new sitting on the floor with gas in the tank for maybe 8 months? (Whether or not the gas was replaced, it still sat with gas in the tank) Why would a dealer put gas in a bike that's going to be on the showroom floor? Did they prep the bike for a potential buyer or maybe someone took it on a test ride and then no one used it for months? Either way, it gives me serious doubts about using that dealership.
Another quick question guys. Can / will any local Honda dealer do factory warranty work on my new bike? IOW's, do I have to take it back to where it was purchased? There are a bunch of Honda dealers close here in Houston, I didn't buy a '14 DLX from any of them 'cuz they didn't have one to sell me! :(

Just curious, if the bike keeps sputtering after a few tankfuls, do I have to take it to the selling dealership, or can I go to one locally?
Any Honda dealer across the nation. The choice is yours.
 
Thread starter
metallyguitarded_imp said:
treytexag_imp said:
mininsx_imp said:
This is interesting. Seems a little "hokey" or "urban legend"-like, but what the heck do I know!! ;)

I guess it's quick and free to try it out - so I will!

Thanks guys.
ClassicVW_imp said:
xNE0x_imp said:
Um, I would be taking that bike right back to the dealership.
The more I think about it, you are right. It's not a bike that was traded in. The bike is brand new sitting on the floor with gas in the tank for maybe 8 months? (Whether or not the gas was replaced, it still sat with gas in the tank) Why would a dealer put gas in a bike that's going to be on the showroom floor? Did they prep the bike for a potential buyer or maybe someone took it on a test ride and then no one used it for months? Either way, it gives me serious doubts about using that dealership.
The more I think about it, you are right. It's not a bike that was traded in. The bike is brand new sitting on the floor with gas in the tank for maybe 8 months? (Whether or not the gas was replaced, it still sat with gas in the tank) Why would a dealer put gas in a bike that's going to be on the showroom floor? Did they prep the bike for a potential buyer or maybe someone took it on a test ride and then no one used it for months? Either way, it gives me serious doubts about using that dealership.
Another quick question guys. Can / will any local Honda dealer do factory warranty work on my new bike? IOW's, do I have to take it back to where it was purchased? There are a bunch of Honda dealers close here in Houston, I didn't buy a '14 DLX from any of them 'cuz they didn't have one to sell me! :(

Just curious, if the bike keeps sputtering after a few tankfuls, do I have to take it to the selling dealership, or can I go to one locally?
Any Honda dealer across the nation. The choice is yours.
Any Honda dealer across the nation. The choice is yours.
I didn't know if I would get the "evil-eye" or less than stellar attention if I brought a bike in that wasn't purchased there . . . .
 
Well, I took my used ST in for an inspection and they said Hey, you got a lot of warrenty left on this. So my dealer, at least, doesn't care.

Or they don't care because I bought my CB there. Who knows.
 
treytexag_imp said:
metallyguitarded_imp said:
treytexag_imp said:
mininsx_imp said:
This is interesting. Seems a little "hokey" or "urban legend"-like, but what the heck do I know!! ;)

I guess it's quick and free to try it out - so I will!

Thanks guys.
ClassicVW_imp said:
xNE0x_imp said:
Um, I would be taking that bike right back to the dealership.
The more I think about it, you are right. It's not a bike that was traded in. The bike is brand new sitting on the floor with gas in the tank for maybe 8 months? (Whether or not the gas was replaced, it still sat with gas in the tank) Why would a dealer put gas in a bike that's going to be on the showroom floor? Did they prep the bike for a potential buyer or maybe someone took it on a test ride and then no one used it for months? Either way, it gives me serious doubts about using that dealership.
The more I think about it, you are right. It's not a bike that was traded in. The bike is brand new sitting on the floor with gas in the tank for maybe 8 months? (Whether or not the gas was replaced, it still sat with gas in the tank) Why would a dealer put gas in a bike that's going to be on the showroom floor? Did they prep the bike for a potential buyer or maybe someone took it on a test ride and then no one used it for months? Either way, it gives me serious doubts about using that dealership.
Another quick question guys. Can / will any local Honda dealer do factory warranty work on my new bike? IOW's, do I have to take it back to where it was purchased? There are a bunch of Honda dealers close here in Houston, I didn't buy a '14 DLX from any of them 'cuz they didn't have one to sell me! :(

Just curious, if the bike keeps sputtering after a few tankfuls, do I have to take it to the selling dealership, or can I go to one locally?
Any Honda dealer across the nation. The choice is yours.
Any Honda dealer across the nation. The choice is yours.
I didn't know if I would get the "evil-eye" or less than stellar attention if I brought a bike in that wasn't purchased there . . . .
Any Honda dealer across the nation. The choice is yours.
I didn't know if I would get the "evil-eye" or less than stellar attention if I brought a bike in that wasn't purchased there . . . .

Actually. It IS up to the dealer.
 
You can, I know they frown on it but if they are a honda dealer, they have to. You might have to force the issue.

I also would try the TPS trick. It has helped others with the issue, and makes sense why it works. I have a feeling though you have a TPS way out of calibration, or an underlying engine issue that the dealer knows about and isn't telling you. My gut tells me someone went out and reemed on it before break in. My bike had 0 miles on it, and I watched them ride the 2 miles up and down the road before I took ownership.
 
You will not be turned away by any honda dealer. but if they do and you are not happy with how they handled your case then you can call American Honda Customer Realtions. I work closely with American Honda Warranty and their commitment to customer service is Paramount.

take it to the dealer. Its a New Bike and payed good money for it.

goodluck!
 
Thread starter
xNE0x_imp said:
You can, I know they frown on it but if they are a honda dealer, they have to. You might have to force the issue.

I also would try the TPS trick. It has helped others with the issue, and makes sense why it works. I have a feeling though you have a TPS way out of calibration, or an underlying engine issue that the dealer knows about and isn't telling you. My gut tells me someone went out and reemed on it before break in. My bike had 0 miles on it, and I watched them ride the 2 miles up and down the road before I took ownership.
I thought about this too, and I'm certainly not a motorcycle engine mechanic. But I was thinking there isn't too much that could cause a new bike to run like that. There aren't any carbs to get mucked up. Basically you have a plug getting fire and fuel, and a computer telling it when to fire . . .

So I was thinking their comments sounded legit about needing to runs some fuel through it after it sat around with gas in it awhile.

Am I absolutely off in "Alice in Wonderland" with my thinking?
 
lola_imp said:
You will not be turned away by any honda dealer. but if they do and you are not happy with how they handled your case then you can call American Honda Customer Realtions. I work closely with American Honda Warranty and their commitment to customer service is Paramount.

take it to the dealer. Its a New Bike and payed good money for it.

goodluck!
I have no doubt Honda feels this way. How else could they feel?

But at the dealer that has multiple bike brands and the best staff onhand and customers driving for a hundred miles to buy bikes from them and Honda is darn glad to have them and keep them, well you best have bought the bike from them or you are sitting for a long spell unless things are slow that month for them.

This is simply real life because their motorcycle purchase customers are their "customer relationship" and that is super important to Honda also, more so no matter what the official line is, as well as to the other brands they sell. How else could they feel?

I'm sure some of you know of situations where a dealer flat out said it would be a long time before they could get with a non-purchase customer, if not simply being honest and telling them to move on down the road because they were focused on the customers who bought from them and why would you not think it otherwise if all they can do is keep up with the purchase customer business?

So you are going back to your cheapo deal dealer or somebody nobody goes to. You have seen me write that you are "purchasing the dealer" when you buy a bike and I am afraid that is true otherwise why would some dealers work so hard on all aspects of being a great dealer and then give the same support to someone who did not buy from them, who spent with joe blow superdeal dealer in that small block buiding on the other end of town, over someone who did? That would be bad for business.
 
I believe that dealers treating non buyers shabbily is blown out of proportion. Yes, they will place their 'good customers' first on line for repairs, but warranty work pays them well and I don't see anyone being turned away just because they bought the bike elsewhere. If that were happening, dealers would effectively be refusing money. Who would run their business in that way?
 
The Honda warranty specifically states that you can take your motorcycle to any authorized Honda dealer across the nation.

It would be incredibly short-sighted for any dealer to refuse warranty work. Not only does it ignore the money paid to them by Honda for the work, it guarantees the loss of a potential customer.
 
Look fill the tank with non ethanol gas, stick in the tecron or seafoam and ride it hard. Stop babying. The problem is it has not been driven.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Live in Oregon, lots of dampness, we have had ethanol fuel for years. I have fuel in my tillers, lawnmower, generators, jet sled, fuel cans, and never had issues. Ethanol is a solvent and doesn't varnish, it's biggest problem is that it cleans out the gunk in lines which ends up plugging jets in carbs and it eats a variety of plastics and fiberglass tanks. It loses a lot of its energy when sits for a while but everything I own starts and has started for years with gas 6 months old. The boat never fails to run and its 23 years old. I have serious doubts you have any "varnish", you just need to ride it and get a few tanks through the motor. Lots of people have complained about 2k to 3k rpms running rough, just get on and throttle down the freeway. It will be fine. It needs to be ran.
 
Trey,
I would not travel back to the Original dealer, you might even find your local dealer to have better mechanics. I think this is a correctable non issue. Try the seafoam, chevron or what I use Marine Stabil. Put in the max recommended on the label and find a place to blow this bike out. Don't worry about the break-in period if you have more than 50 miles on the OD. Red line 1,2,3 5 or 6 times, if its a fuel issue this will clean it out. If your nor comfortable give it to one of your sport bike buddies to take care of this for you.

Option 2
Drop a C note and bring it to a local dyno, you will probably notice a choppy throttle around 2500 RPM's let him do a 3 or 4 pulls and than check throttle response and see if things have cleared up.

If you still have a problem go to a local dealer.
 
Ethanol will not cause gasoline to start the process turn to varnish, the gasolines in use today will do that themselves in as little as a few weeks.

Ethanol brings its own problems which may be a factor in the OP's problem. These are ethanol's water absorption issues. (True of all alcohol) And the fact that ethanol is a solvent. So, not only does it loosen dirt which can cause injectors to clog, as a solvent it dissolves plastic, rubber and types of fiberglass. Not that big of an issue in a new motor, but older motorcycles that already have dried and or brittle rubber and plastic parts are especially susceptible.

Gasolines containing ethanol are not recommended for marine use, and are banned from use in aircraft engines. Basically, the debris ethanol helps loosen has caused engines to seize, which of course, is a very very bad thing to happen to an airplane.
 
ClassicVW_imp said:
Ethanol will not cause gasoline to start the process turn to varnish, the gasolines in use today will do that themselves in as little as a few weeks.

Ethanol brings its own problems which may be a factor in the OP's problem. These are ethanol's water absorption issues. (True of all alcohol) And the fact that ethanol is a solvent. So, not only does it loosen dirt which can cause injectors to clog, as a solvent it dissolves plastic, rubber and types of fiberglass. Not that big of an issue in a new motor, but older motorcycles that already have dried and or brittle rubber and plastic parts are especially susceptible.

Gasolines containing ethanol are not recommended for marine use, and are banned from use in aircraft engines. Basically, the debris ethanol helps loosen has caused engines to seize, which of course, is a very very bad thing to happen to an airplane.
The prohibition for aircraft use is largely because the typical GA aircraft is 30-40 years old and has fuel system components that were not made of materials that are ethanol compatible. Things like composite floats and flexible fuel lines can react badly (i.e. melt, swell) when exposed to ethanol. Been there, done that.
 
metallyguitarded_imp said:
The Honda warranty specifically states that you can take your motorcycle to any authorized Honda dealer across the nation.

It would be incredibly short-sighted for any dealer to refuse warranty work. Not only does it ignore the money paid to them by Honda for the work, it guarantees the loss of a potential customer.
I don't remember anyone saying a dealer would 'refuse' warranty work. Instead, reality exposes itself when a great dealer is backed up on work say 60-90 days and quess who is dead last in the queue and oh by the way they make more mony on non-warranty work so you are not doing them any favors showing up at the door with some other dealers bike sale right along side their regular customers. So if they are or can be honest, they will advise you to go elsewhere likely by explaining if you drop your bike off here it will be fall before it gets worked on.

You have not been 'refused' but you might was well have been although they will eventually get to it or you will head back to your dealer and that's the way it is. Of course, if the dealer has the capacity to service your bike without pissing their regulars off then you are good to go but I think it is the other dealers bike that waits until their customers are satisified first. We have already seen where dealers price things differently for their own customers so why would they hold up repairs on their own bikes for another dealer's bike?

Maybe your are right and the dealer does not care who bought bikes from them and they give no preference to the customers who bought their bikes. You are right, I don't know what make me think that way.
 
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