DL650 xt 2022 flat spot at 5500 rpm

[Nickodemus]

Hi, I've bought a 2022 v strom 650 and after first ride the bike has an awful flat spot at 5500 rpm. I was on the motorway and it felt like the front brake was being applied. I rode it on several different road conditions and it is very noticeable. Is there anything I can do to remove it?

[nigel s]

Welcome Nickodemus,
No that is not normal, the 650 (when warmed up) should have near perfect fuelling.
Back to the dealer for it to be checked out is your best bet if you just got it.

[Gert]

        If going back to the dealer is not an option, due to trust and other reasons, then more diagnosing is required.
1) Does the flat spot still occur when in another gear at 5,500 rpm? Does it only happen at this rpm or higher rpms as well?
2) Have you thought of doing a fuel flow test?  Follow the steps in https://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,11603.0.html
3) When out riding and the flat spot is felt, coast to a stop without using the brakes. Feel if any of the brake rotors are excessively hot. A excessively hot rotor is a sign of brakes binding for some reason.
4) Have you tried riding with the fuel cap open? This is to test for fuel tank vacuum lock.
5) Perhaps readjust the TPS to see if the flat spot changes on throttle open position. However a TPS adjustment on the newer models may require specialised tools. Google for more info on a throttle position sensor (TPS) adjustment for your model.

[Nickodemus]

Hi Gert,
1) It occurs in all gears
2) I haven't done a fuel flow test
3)Rotors are fine
4)I'll try this later
5)Tps would need to be dealer.
The bike has only done 2000 miles. The only modification is bar risers.
Thanks

[Barbel Mick]

Could it have a 'restricted' ECU fitted?
Maybe check it's not restricted to 35kw/46bhp.

[Nickodemus]

How would I check if its restricted?

[Barbel Mick]

The two ECU's will have a different part/serial number.
If you put 'restricted ECU' into the search box, above, there will be a good bit of reading.
However, did you buy the bike from a dealer? If so take it back & ask.
If you bought it privately, contact the seller & ask.   

[Nickodemus]

I bought it from a dealer. I'll ask.

[Nickodemus]

Hi Gert,
1) It occurs in top gear
2) I haven't done a fuel flow test
3)Rotors are fine
4)Not any different with cap open
5)Tps would need to be dealer.
The bike has only done 2000 miles. The only modification is bar risers.
Thanks
[/quote]

[Nickodemus]

I contacted dealer to ask if it was restricted. He didn’t know but said he would ask previous  owner and also contact Suzuki. The previous owner replied and said it wasn’t restricted but it didn’t like e10 standard unleaded and ran better on super unleaded 😳 Is this a common thing with a standard bike?

[nigel s]

Nope , I run mine on e10, as long as it is 94 ? or higher  octane ,not a problem. I only use the higher if I need a few more miles from a tank .

[Rusty Nuts]

It was built to run on e10. Either he's ignorant or bullshitting you.

[Barbel Mick]

My 650 (granted a few years older) would rev to the red on E10 & it didn't make a bit of bit of difference to how it ran, or the mpg, on E10 either.
I'm with Rusty, "Either he's ignorant or bullshitting you."
Don't accept that from the dealer, get him to confirm with Suzuki what ECU the bike should have in there, then if it's the correct one get him to sort the problem & if it's the restricted one he should have made it clear that's what it was, so I would guess you might have a claim under the consumer rights act? 

[nigel s]

Barbel Mick is right, brush up on the consumers rights act , which gives you 30 days to reject a defective/misrepresented bike if bought from a dealer for a full refund.
Be polite when speaking to them( getting angry will do you no good) ,but firm, show you know your rights.
Be prepared to walk away, leaving the bike with them,to either sort it or refund, before the 30 days are up.
Keep notes of all correspondence.

Good Luck

[Nickodemus]

Dealer is checking with Suzuki on Tuesday so we shall see what they say.

[Gert]

I'm of the understanding that service history, spares bought, engine specs, etc., should be recorded with reference to the VIN in some countries. If this is the case in the UK, then surely all should be reveled by simply looking up the VIN history record of your bike?

[nigel s]

Gert ,
Unfortunately this is not available in the UK, as far as I know. Individual dealers may keep records on bikes sold and serviced by them. These may ? , go to Suzuki. I don't think there are any laws relating to a central data base that has to be used. There ARE lots of Privacy laws  (GDPR) here however that may get in the way of public access to any records.
It would be handy though.

[Gert]

I would have thought after various reports here, that since the UK MOT is reasonably thorough, perhaps they also inculded checking on which ECU a bike has fitted as part of the MOT process?
Good to hear that this doesn't appear to be the case. So, no legal restriction of the ECU wrt those with a new or leaners licence, as is applied in some other countries.

[nigel s]

The UK MOT is a bit patchy,eg there is no emissions test.
The onus is on the rider to make sure the bike complies with their licence, which as is the way with bureaucracy ,is a different department 

[Gert]

Any news wrt the ECU query on whether restricted or not?