[kwajman]

My bike rides fine at speed but whenever its idling or decelerating it dies once it hits 1500 rpm. I have to keep it idling at about 2000 rpm to keep the engine running. Its two years old, I just got it out of storage and wonder if its stale gas or something else. Didn't have this problem last year while riding. Any ideas?

 

[Chatman128]

I had a similar issue with my 2011 400. It seemed most noticeable after prolonged stop & go traffic and the fuel gauge in the low red zone. Never noticed it with gas gauge above the 1/2 mark.

I just installed the KN air filter (the original OEM had 35K miles and was a little ( ) dirty. To soon to tell if that makes a difference but the preliminary indication is that the idle is more consistent. Time will tell

 

[MacDoc]

Sounds like it may be starved for fuel - the breather hole on the gas cap may be plugged creating a vacuum in the tank.

 

[Duster]

Also....air filter may need cleaning...
if it is clogged-up, the engine can't
breath freely.

 

[kwajman]

I'll check both of those possible solutions. Its only got 2000 miles on I wouldn't expect any problems this soon. I don't want to get discouraged riding it after only a few thousand miles.

 

[itlives]

Definitely add some new gas! A good gas treatment would probably do it good right now, too.

 

[Ralph M]

New fuel and injector cleaner then run it,
cheapest option and hope it cures it.

 

[MacDoc]

Might be just a little bit of water in the fuel from condensation.

 

[DoubleJ]

Seafoam that sucker and get out and ride.

 

[Chatman128]

Well the jury is in and the new air filter had little to no effect. Above 1/2 tank engine runs well. Less than 1/2 tank, the engine idle is all over the place (mostly on the low side). I'd say my issue is unrelated to the OP's. Mine is starting to feel like a fuel pump going south. It appears to be independent of gas source. Maybe I'll start my own idle issue thread.

 

[Chappy]

Todays fuel has a shelf life of approx 30 days without a supplement.

 

[kwajman]

Todays fuel has a shelf life of approx 30 days without a supplement.

Wow, I didn't know that. I filled the tank before winter and let it set all winter. Started it a few times but didn't really ride it for 4 months.

 

[Paul 38Burg650 07]

If it is runing (you say it will at higher rpm of 2000) -- I would run a few tanks of gas with Sea Foam added and see what happens.

Example --- Bought a used 500 Ninja with 1000 miles on it over a 3 yr period (I bought it in 2011, previous owner got scared to ride at 600 miles and rode very little after that time). Idle was all mesed up, I ran about four tanks of gas with Sea Foam (got better as it went along and I kep adjusting the idle spped). Finally all settled at normal idle for that MC (1200 rpm) and no more problems.

It is carburated MC vs FI and idle jets on it are a problem (must be kept clean).

I now have 43000 miles on it. Run a little Sea Faom in it now and then.

 

[kwajman]

Added seafoam, cleaned the air filter and drove the heck out of it this weekend. We'll see if that helps.

 

[utter chaos]

If that doesn't help, check the spark plug. I got a bad one one time (dealer supplied) and the electrode burned off. Wouldn't idle but went 80 no problem.