Hello Everyone,

As can be seen from my avatar, I am the proud owner of a new 2013 XL 1200C Sporty. Overall, I love the bike - light weight, nimble handling, good power, but as I get used to riding it (my first HD), I have noticed one annoying factor, which I'm hoping someone else may have also experienced and can help me out.

Holding the throttle in a 'coasting' or 'neutral' position (ie., not while accelerating or decelerrating) the engine exhibits what feels like a stutter or miss, with no amount of 'adjustment' can get it to run smooth. But as soon as you wind it on, it just roars away fine, the same happens when you close it, the motor runs down through the gears to idle sweetly.

I have read that unlike HD BT's, the Evo motor likes to rev, so I have been deliberately winding it out higher in each gear and listening to the engine at various speeds and selecting the best gear to keep it 'humming". However, regardless of the speed or gear, it still does it and definitely feels like a stutter or miss.

Could it be a problem with tuning?? I only have SE slipons fitted to an otherwise stock bike and will go to a full stage 1, with a Hammer Perf. A/C with XIEDs (after warranty expires) until I decide/have the money for, a full tuner. I have read all the comments on the PCII, PV, SE ST, XIEDs etc, etc, so the verdict is still out on that area - as I have the XIED's already, I will use them in the interim.

I intend to talk to the shop where I bought the bike on this, but thought I'd ask the question here first.

Thanks in advance.

The standard setup is meant to handle small changes (like pipes) but there's a world of difference between "handling it" and tuned. Too far out and you get your snap crackle and pops, but "handling it" you can get the odd grumble. I'd only worry if it was causing issues after you've added a tuner - but if its free (warranty) I'd still talk to the shop just so if it turns out to be a bigger problem that gets worse you can argue you told them during the warranty period and they didn't fix it.

Thanks Bonkerz & 5ltrfreak for your replies.  After a bit more reading I am thinking the same thing.  I have emailed Fuel Moto for their recommendations on a tuner, but nothing back yet.  In the meantime I will fit the XIEDs with the slip-ons and stock A/C and see how she runs.

Cheers.