What's with the Herky Jerky on first cold start-up of each day? Any thoughts?

[Cheeseologist]

2019 Spyder RTL, 30,000 miles, Amsoil oil, Pedal Commander. On the first cold start-up of each day, the bike will jerk along for a short period, and then nothing more for the rest of the day. Any thoughts?

 

[jjc54]

Mine does this also and the colder the day the worst it is. I think it is the computer figuring things out. Runs like a beast after some warm up time. I just don't crowd it right off the bat. Mine has never stalled!

 

[KX5062]

Both my previous 2014 RT and my current 2020 RTL do that as well. I also think it just a rather cold blooded beast due to various sensors and overly lean fuel mapping to comply with modern environmental standards.

 

[AndysF3S]

My '22 F3S does it too, normal since new.

 

[RayBJ]

Normal for a cold engine. The oil needs to warm up for the clutch slippage to stop. Maybe 5 mins to smooth out.

 

[JayBros]

First off, one question: when you are not riding your Spyder and it is simply sitting in its normal parking spot is it connected to a battery maintainer, e.g., a Battery Tender Junior? If not, why not?

Now as part of your normal routine on a day on which you are about to ride try this: (1) disconnect the Spyder from the battery maintainer, (2) start the Spyder, (3) don all the individual elements of your ATGATT ensemble, (4) connect your cell phone to its power source, wherever it is, (5) turn on your helmet communication device, (6) push your Spyder out of the garage or car port, being certain to set the parking brake before you mount your roadster, (7) release the parking brake, (8) shift into 1st gear or Reverse, (9) ease out onto the street, (10) roll on the throttle and proceed on your ride. The time you consumed in steps (1) through (9) should have allowed the engine temperature to rise to the point where there is no herky, jerky stuttering as you roll off on your wind therapy adventure. FWIW, I've been doing that for almost 11 years straight and have no problems departing the unheated garage at the hacienda down to 32 degrees. There is no clutch slippage either because the HCM locks up the clutch as soon as I crack the throttle.

 

[Mikey]

First off, one question: when you are not riding your Spyder and it is simply sitting in its normal parking spot is it connected to a battery maintainer, e.g., a Battery Tender Junior? If not, why not?

Now as part of your normal routine on a day on which you are about to ride try this: (1) disconnect the Spyder from the battery maintainer, (2) start the Spyder, (3) don all the individual elements of your ATGATT ensemble, (4) connect your cell phone to its power source, wherever it is, (5) turn on your helmet communication device, (6) push your Spyder out of the garage or car port, being certain to set the parking brake before you mount your roadster, (7) release the parking brake, (8) shift into 1st gear or Reverse, (9) ease out onto the street, (10) roll on the throttle and proceed on your ride. The time you consumed in steps (1) through (9) should have allowed the engine temperature to rise to the point where there is no herky, jerky stuttering as you roll off on your wind therapy adventure. FWIW, I've been doing that for almost 11 years straight and have no problems departing the unheated garage at the hacienda down to 32 degrees. There is no clutch slippage either because the HCM locks up the clutch as soon as I crack the throttle.

JayBros, I 100% agree with your routine of warming up your machine before you ride, and you're right that it will take the herky jerky out of the start out of your ride. But I just don't see where you think that a tender should be part of a bike's life if you're using it every day, or even once a week! If you're going to store it or put it away for a couple months, that's a different story! I am going to agree to disagree on that one!

 

[JayBros]

JayBros, I 100% agree with your routine of warming up your machine before you ride, and you're right that it will take the herky jerky out of the start out of your ride. But I just don't see where you think that a tender should be part of a bike's life if you're using it every day, or even once a week! If you're going to store it or put it away for a couple months, that's a different story! I am going to agree to disagree on that one!

I mentioned the point about the battery tender because comparing my actions on my first with the second battery, both Yuasa, the second is doing better than the first by better than a year, touch wood. The dealership comp'ed the Junior, and had the pigtail installed and peeking out of the frunk liner. I was kind of on and off about using it, pun intended, but with the second one I have been much more religious about keeping it on the maintainer when not riding and I ride at least once/week if not more, year round. The only time I don't use it is when I'm on tour and riding every single day. Not scientific but methodical.

 

[Mikey]

The only down fall of using a tender on a battery like that is it will give you a faults idea of the real shape of your battery in my way of thinking, it some time you may get it started just fine, don't seeing the tell-tale sign of a slow start, get out there and stop for some reason or another and it will not start again for you without a jump. That's what I have ageist that method of tender use for what it's worth. Good luck, be safe!!