On my way home I rode down the interstate as I normally do, cruising at 5,000-7,000rpm, in fourth and fifth gear. I exited the interstate, stopped at a stop sign, turned left from my stop, accelerated briskly down the next mile or two of road, up to ~9,000-10,000rpm, then gradually slowed down for another stop, down shifting, clutching fully, then downshifting again, down to first gear at a stop.
As I slowed to about 25-30mph, with the clutch pulled in, I heard a pronounced “pop” from behind me to my left. I noticed no change in the engine, the engine speed, felt no vibration, etc. I thought maybe my bike had backfired, but it could have been traffic around me. I tried to think nothing of it and to forget it.
This morning, I headed to work on the interstate again. Again, I rode normally, cruising at 5,000-7,000rpm in fourth and fifth gear, with a short run up to about 9,000-10,000rpm. I traveled ~8miles down the interstate before exiting. Upon, exiting and downshifting through the gears at ~45mph, I heard another pronounced “pop” from behind me to my left. Again, I noticed no change in the operation of the bike, but now I know the sound is coming from my bike.
As soon as the service department where I had my bike’s 7,500 mile service performed opened this morning, I arranged to have the bike looked at. I wasn’t able to talk to the tech personally, but only through a receptionist. Through her, he says he doesn’t know what could have changed to cause the bike to backfire but he will have a look at the bike. He said that he didn’t adjust anything on the bike that could cause a backfire.
The 7,500 mile service for a TL1000R includes:
Inspecting the air cleaner,
Replacing the sparkplugs,
Inspecting the fuel hose,
Replacing the engine oil,
Inspecting the engine idle speed,
Inspecting the throttle cable play,
Synchronizing the throttle valves,*
Inspecting the evaporative emission control system,*
Inspecting the PAIR valve (air supply) system,*
Inspecting the clutch hose,
Inspecting the clutch fluid,
Inspecting the radiator hose,
Inspecting the drive chain,
Inspecting the brakes,
Inspecting the brake fluid,
Inspecting the tires,
Inspecting the steering,
Inspecting the front fork,
Inspecting the rear suspension,
Tightening the exhaust pipe and muffler bolts and nuts,
And, tightening the Chassis bolts and nuts.
My bike is bone-stock, always dealer serviced, and in the last ~7,660 miles of riding, the bike has never behaved like this before. My bike is not a CA model, so I don't believe the above services with the * would be performed, though.
So, what are your thoughts, and/or advice??
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