Jerky throttle response

[martind]

Hi everyone,

My 2013 Glee is a smooth ride except for low down the rev range. Below 3,000 rpm its a bit off/on when opening the throttle, which makes slow corners and roadabouts a bit jerky, which can be annoying as it upsets the handling alittle.

My question is are all 2 cylinder engines like this and so you just have to accept it? My mark 1 Versys 650 was the same and I learned to ride around the problem by slipping the clutch on slow corners and roundabouts..

I have heard that adjusting the tickover can help. Mine is set about about 1,300 rpm... Should it be higher?

Thanks in advance.

[greywolf]

Downshift. You're in too high a gear for the corner. 2500-3000rpm is the minimum for any gear other than first and that requires some clutch feathering for smooth action. It's a long time between some firing pulses on an L twin. 1300rpm is a perfect idle speed and idle speed has no effect on engine smoothness above idle.

[bosnjo]

As Greywolf said.
When I had Glee, it was my first v-twin and it took me some time to learn not to ride it bellow 3000 rpm. When I needed bellow 3000rpm in 2nd gear, it could go down to 2500rpm but it would start to be jerky a little. Bellow 2500rpm was impossible to ride without clutch slipping.
When I got 2014 DL1000, it was the same story. Now I have updated ECU and X-TRE and bike is smooth down to 2500rpm and occasionally can go down to 2100rpm but it's not happy. However, both bikes are really happy only above 3000rpm. They were designed like that and we have to learn to ride them that way.

[wilkstrom]

As a by product the 3k rpm,where necessary seems to be rewarded by the best economy. I am averaging a nudge under 60mpg by changing up at about 3.5k and cruising at 75mph.

[mr_diver]

Try riding a Varadero 1000. They are a pig to ride around town with on/off throttle under 3k rpm. Scream around a roundabout in 1st or chug and slip the clutch in 2nd.
Over 30mph and it's fine, but slow speed riding is to be avoided.
My Wee was a pleasure to ride in town, v twins take a bit of getting used to and the Sv650 derived engine is one of the best out there.
Practice, practice, practice, each bike takes a bit of getting used to.

Going from a Versys to a V-Strom will give you a false perception that the two bike will behave the same way in every circumstance due to them being simular in spec and purpose.

[fenderbender]

Just a thought...is your throttle working smoothly? Try it while standing with engine off. Is there any hint of a catch as you wind the throttle back? I was getting an on-off throttle response that was purely down to the linkages under the tank needing lubing. See this thread...
http://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=29844.0;topicseen

[pr]

At the lower speeds I'm usually in first gear with the rear brake for control. I adjusted the chain recently and it was a bit better again. Isn't the jerkiness normal with chain driven bikes?

[johnmac]

I've got the 2016 DL1000 and I had the same issue with my bike but with a bit of perseverance and a bit of experimentation with throttle control I've overcome the problem, goes out and give it a try, you may just get a surprise.