[Strange Dog]

Hello,

I have been riding a GSX650F for several years now and I am thinking of trading it in on a used Wee, primarily for comfort and economy issues. It is likely to be the last bike I buy for another 10 years or so due to finances.

I have been riding for nearly 20 years now and the GSX650F was the first EFI bike I have ever owned (and also the first - and last - bike I have bought brand new). One of the issues with the 650F is it's jerky EFI. In particular at very small throttle openings the power cuts in and out. It is not at all linear or smooth like you get from carbed bikes, it is either on or off. Usually this is not a problem since you ride with the throttle open in the region where the issue doesnt occur, but it is really starting to get to me, especially in heavy traffic. I is getting to the point that I no longer want an EFI bike.

So...is this a Suzuki EFI thing, or is it just the 650F that is afflicted. I know that the 650F has some of the strictest emmissions controls of any bike so it could be that. If the Wee has the same issue then the decision to go with an older, carb'd Wee becomes easier (cheaper to buy and easier to DIY maintenance). I should note that the jerkiness I describe is a well known issue, so it is not a matter of riding technique or inexperience on my part.

 

[PeteW]

There are a couple of issues with the Wee, but the EFI itself is just sensitive, not jerky - these might also apply to your current bike.

New, yes, it's jerky. After about 1000km's that went away.

That leaves issue #2:

Stock the front suspension is soft and underdamped - I thought it was jerky EFI until I did some suspension work - what was happening is that the throttle was moving under my hand every time I hit a bump, which made the bike jerk, which made the throttle move, which made the EFI seem jerky - that fixed and it's fine.
Still needs a delicate touch, but it's tractable enough to cope with nasty offroad - so probably O.K. once run in.

The Wee was carbed from the get-go so no get out of jail there.

Peter

 

[garandman]

There are no carbed DL's. Gen I SV's had carbs.

I've owned an 05 and an 09 and find the "fueling" as the Brits call it to be good. You'll have to ride one yourself.

 

[Strange Dog]

There are no carbed DL's.

I thought that Wee's had carbs until 2006 after which they got efi. Or am i misunderstanding something?

 

[nhbubba]

All wee's are EFI. In 2007 they changed the throttle bodies and went to the dual-plug system. Read the DL650 through the years.

I recently went from a carb'ed bike to a wee. This is my first EFI bike. I do find the fuel injection to be a bit jerky at low throttle inputs. I'm having a very hard time getting used to going from no throttle to some throttle smoothly.

I honestly don't think it can be avoided with EFI.

 

[SCraig]

I thought that Wee's had carbs until 2006 after which they got efi. Or am i misunderstanding something?

You are misunderstanding something. All V-Stroms, 650 or 1000, are fuel injected.

 

[jokermtb]

your 4-banger's EFI could be in need of an adjustment too......

 

[PTRider]

Adjusting throttle cables for as close to zero free play is a help. Adjusting the throttle position sensor to switch at about 1400 to 1700 rpm is a help. G2's Street Tamer Throttle Tube is a help. Just getting used to the system is a big help.

 

[sapperranger04]

Just curious, but how do you adjust the TPS. Guess i need to read through the manual again.

 

[PTRider]

To adjust the TPS --
--Buy a T25 tamper-proof torx bit
--Warm the engine
--Raise the tank
--Find the TPS just above the throttle on the rear throttle body (round gizmo with two wires)
--Loosen and lightly retighten the T25 screws (2 up to 2006; 1 after that).
--Put the jumper wire in the diagnostic connector red/white & black/white connections (someone hurry and correct me if I'm wrong)
--Start the engine (previously warmed)
--Note the display. On the clock line you'll have --C00. Or maybe the "--" is low or high.
--Open the throttle until you're holding about 1500 rpm.
--Move the TPS as little as you can against its loosened screws so the "--" marks just go high.
--Tighten the T25 screws. Idle, speed up slightly, and note the change rpm. Adjust as needed.
--Double check the tightened T25 screws. Remove the jumper wire. Put everything back together.
--Ride. Enjoy.

 

[BobA]

As a new Wee owner my only observation on this is that I find the throttle a little jerky at low throttle openings on rough ground, where it's tricky for me to keep things constant. It's probably as much my inexperience with the bike as any sort of intrinsic issue.

I really haven't found any problem on the road and my previous bikes all had carbs.

 

[rconti]

I have no issues with the fueling on my Wee except when it's cold -- ie, first 1 minute of riding or so. Often I start to roll onto the throttle in 1st, to pull away from a stop sign or whatever, and the bike feels like it wants to choke.. at least once I've had to dab my foot on the ground to keep the bike from falling over before the bike took off. Only happens on the first turn of the day or so.

 

[Strange Dog]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have been lurking on this forum most days at work for more than two years and I really thought that pre 2007 Wees all had carbs. I guess this also means that no Wee has a manual choke lever like my old Bandit 1200 ?

In a way its good news. The other changes made in 2007 (e.g. dual plugs) are not enough to make me choose a newer bike over an older bike, so the range of used Wees that I will consider has opened right up. Just gotta find a good low km example and try to time it right to optimise my change-over finances (i.e. find the ideal bike before spending any big money on my existing bike for tyres or whatever).

Thanks for the help, I expect I will sign up for a platinum membership as soon as I buy the bike (sometime in the next 12 months) and look forward to becoming a legit member.

 

[nhbubba]

My last was a Bandit 1200 as well. I just made the trade this year (2011). Should have done it at least 2-3 years ago.

No, no choke lever. It is kinda nice, just thumb the starter and let her warm up for a minute or so, then you're off. Very idiot proof.

The water cooled engine is a lot more consistent than my air/oil cooled 1200 was too. I was never entirely happy with the fuelling on my 1200. Mine was a nekid 1200 and I grew to hate the lack of fairing. The wee fairing is exactly the right amount of protection; not touring bike level of detachment from the ride, and not naked level of abuse from the wind.

I like the exhaust note on the twin better too. I'm told its dead quiet to the rest of the world, but from inside my helmet it sounds pretty cool.

About the only things I miss are the raw power and more aggressive handling of the Bandit.

I agree. I'm not sure I'd put one year wee above another in your search. Find the right bike, for the right price, in the right condition. Then enjoy. ABS is the one make/break feature that I think is worth worrying about. And that's up to you.