Just cold blooded ???

[gearset01]

Ive got the 05 1200s, and lately its idle is crap until it gets good and hot, it wanders and periodically spits not through the pipes sounds like  through the air box. Is it me or what, runs fine maybe a bit slow to get the power band. Checked the plugs, drained and changed gas with Stay-Bil added.
5500 miles, regular oil changes. Is it the timing or maybe the carbs Ive been diligent with the winterizing, if its a dirty carb issue wouldnt that remain even when hot.
Ive got the factory service book coming and maybe its time to try that timing advance mod, anyone give me some feed back that has done this?
Anyone? What are you guys spraying to check for vacuum leaks.

PIN

[ray nielsen]

It could be partially clogged idle jets.  One cure for that might be to use a half bottle (6 Oz.) of Techron Fuel System Cleaner in a tank of fresh gas.  The stuff works really well as does Sea-Foam.  

On my 2003 Bandit 1200 I removed the carbs and drilled out the idle mixture screw covers (be careful here) and turned the mixture screws out a half turn, effectively richening the idle mixture just a bit.  After that is was not cold blooded at all and I could ride away quickly.

Hope that helps.

[kedeg_97B12]

Anyone? What are you guys spraying to check for vacuum leaks.

PIN

Dale Walker told me to use electrical contact cleaner to see if the boots were leaking. You'll see it come out the exhaust as well as smell it.

[Red01]

Some spitting, sputtering, coughing is normal when cold. You should be using the choke to keep it idling ~2000 RPM until it's warm enough to idle smooth with no choke. If you ride off before it's warm, expect a little of the above until it's warm.

I've used starting fluid and WD-40 for finding vacuum leaks. If you find one with these, the rpm's will rise. You can use just about anything that will burn though. I use what I use because I always have at least one of them in the garage handy.

[PaulVS]

The Bandit is very cold blooded - but if you've just noticed a change - did you make sure to run the engine with gas stabilizer before storing it for the winter?  To make sure it would get into the carbs and not just sit in the gas tank?

Sounds like a case of 'carbs-got-gummed-up-over-winter-storage blues'.

[rider123]

Try a really long ride on the highway it can almost as good as a tune up. Also this bike has a big engine and can take some time to warm up. You won't get to full hot without a minimum of 15 minutes riding untill the full summer heat. Still spring remember.

If you want you could try and "Italian tune up". Wait untill the bike is full hot. Then revs the bike up past 5000 rpm's and as you let off the throttle put your hand over the intake snorkle. This will create a shitload of vaccuum on the pilots and usually can clear out some minor obstructions.

[gearset01]

I went to the dealership today, told the guy I was disgusted. He said he would remove the carbs, drill the plugs and back out the screws 1/2 turn for 30-40 bucks. It would take me at least 2-3 hours constant to do this at home. I cant pass that up.
Thank you all for the feed back, I did put some Sea Foam in the tank and I noticed a smoke puff started with high revs and letting off the throttle. Guess thats the Foam working.
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