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Julie and I hopped on our new Roadmasters for our annual Flyin to Zion road trip ~~ 600mi for dinner in Springdale. Friday we rode over Independence Pass and thru Aspen. It was 97 degrees and we hit stop-and-go traffic all the way thru town, then intermittently to Glenwood Springs. When we got within two blocks of our hotel, my bike sputtered and died. It would restart, but as soon as I tried to (gently) engage the clutch, it would immediately stall. So we gently pushed it to the curb and called my dealer (Indian of Denver). They said to open the gas cap and that it might be a heat sensor. No codes were thrown.
The next morning things were fine. Off we went, across the desert in hi-90’s temps. A bit of slow-moving traffic as we went thru Zion Natl Park but no stoppages until we almost got to the motel. Then it sputtered and died.
Yesterday we hopped on the bikes for what should have been a routine (albeit long) ride home. Thru Escalante Plateau, past Bryce and thru Capitol Reef NP’s, all good. We hit open riding headed for Hanksville as temps rose, turned to head towards Green River, and had wide-open roads. Cruising speed 80, passes at 90. Air temp was around 100. We went to pass a couple of boat-towing trucks and an RV, and as I rolled on the engine caught, sputtered, and died. Very dangerous mid-pass. Down-shifting and releasing the clutch did not help.
Luckily the trucks recognized our dilemma and let us in. We cruised to a stop. We let the bike sit and cool down. It started right up but four times between there and Green River it would do the same thing, even tho I was babying the bike and not getting past 75mph. My brother (following on a Gold Wing) saw that every time this happened, my tail lights would go off as I lost power, then come back on as I clutched in. This indicated potential electrical issues. I learned that if I immediately downshifted to fifth gear, it would flutter but sometimes smooth out, and if not I could shift to 6th and sometimes that would smooth it out. We decided to get as close to Denver as possible so I could trailer it back.
When we hit the cooler mountain air near Debeque (refueling stop), it seemed to cure the problem. No further problems going home.
Frustrating. Tomorrow of course I’m off to the dealership. Will post results when I get them. From re-reading posts, I’m going to ask for a new battery and also to check the ground. Other possibilities may be a defective heat or oxygen sensor? (although I think that would throw a code). Stand by for results and in the interim other thoughts welcome.
I have got to have a reliable bike ~~ all weather, year-round.
The next morning things were fine. Off we went, across the desert in hi-90’s temps. A bit of slow-moving traffic as we went thru Zion Natl Park but no stoppages until we almost got to the motel. Then it sputtered and died.
Yesterday we hopped on the bikes for what should have been a routine (albeit long) ride home. Thru Escalante Plateau, past Bryce and thru Capitol Reef NP’s, all good. We hit open riding headed for Hanksville as temps rose, turned to head towards Green River, and had wide-open roads. Cruising speed 80, passes at 90. Air temp was around 100. We went to pass a couple of boat-towing trucks and an RV, and as I rolled on the engine caught, sputtered, and died. Very dangerous mid-pass. Down-shifting and releasing the clutch did not help.
Luckily the trucks recognized our dilemma and let us in. We cruised to a stop. We let the bike sit and cool down. It started right up but four times between there and Green River it would do the same thing, even tho I was babying the bike and not getting past 75mph. My brother (following on a Gold Wing) saw that every time this happened, my tail lights would go off as I lost power, then come back on as I clutched in. This indicated potential electrical issues. I learned that if I immediately downshifted to fifth gear, it would flutter but sometimes smooth out, and if not I could shift to 6th and sometimes that would smooth it out. We decided to get as close to Denver as possible so I could trailer it back.
When we hit the cooler mountain air near Debeque (refueling stop), it seemed to cure the problem. No further problems going home.
- Julie’s bike was a rock star. Same engine, zero problems ( RM Darkhorse).
- my old RM made the same trip every year with zero problems. Last summer I went to Vegas in 115 degree temps, with bumper-to-bumper traffic to get to my hotel, and zero problems.
Frustrating. Tomorrow of course I’m off to the dealership. Will post results when I get them. From re-reading posts, I’m going to ask for a new battery and also to check the ground. Other possibilities may be a defective heat or oxygen sensor? (although I think that would throw a code). Stand by for results and in the interim other thoughts welcome.
I have got to have a reliable bike ~~ all weather, year-round.
