Tenere not performing well
 

Hi guys.
My Tenere is not as snappy like when I first got it (Ive had it now for just 2 weeks!). It used to bullet in the low revs but is now rather lazy through the gears and it feels maxed out when it isn�t. It feels like something is stifling it or holding it back. Open throttle and effort= average speed\power. It is not sluggish but it feels like flogging a tired horse or like expecting 660 performances out of a 200; power is just not there. On the longer stretches it only wants to do 90-100km\h (and only because I �demand� it) and it is no longer excited and willing to jump to higher speeds. I have to squeeze it out of it.

I am not reckless or irresponsible rider. Medium rider at best. I did a bit of dirt roading recently (mud, sand, rocks, water), not dusty per se, and I washed the bike when I got home.. The air filter (DNA r-y6e08-01) did have a wee bid of water when I cleaned it. I have since done a 200km tarmac trip. If it�s a wet air filter it should be dry by now, right? Anyway, that night at home I tipped the bike over http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?p=205487 and the next morning I could immediately feel the lack of power. The speedo and trip meters have since been fixed.


As Im still learning the bike I would greatly appreciate any tips so I can fix it myself (if not too technical). What would the checklist be? Air filter? Injectors? Sparkplug? Sensors? Do I just leave it?
I am quite despondent.


Thanks in advance for your advice.

If you took the tank off to check the speed sensor cabling, did you by any chance trap/kink the fuel hose when refitting it? I once even forgot about a rag I'd used - left it under the seat. Eventually it found its way into the air filter (no snorkel) and I wondered why the performance was down! ;)

PS: Moved to appropriate section.

The lack of power was there before and after I checked the speedo sensor. The problem sounds like classic symptom of dirty air filter but Im not sure if the air filter is that dirty. I guess I can always wash and re-oil it.

But I wondering if the fall isnt the culprit. But it was so soft. Is it the rectifier??

*Sorry, how do I post in the right section?

Thanks.

I also think the backfiring is ALOT more.

Maybe worth checking the AIS pipework hasn't become detached or split in the fall? If it has come adrift on the exhaust side of the AIS valve it will permanently be letting air into the exhaust (increasing the backfiring) and be sucking unfiltered air into the airbox (when the valve is open).

What was wrong with the speedo in the end?

Is it much work to fix the ais if it is the problem?

yes, the speedo connector was unplugged, like you suggested.

No - it's all pretty simple pipework.

Just start by checking all the pipework is connected as it should be between the airbox (braided rubber hose), the AIS valve unit (by the coil), and then the rubber hose that fits onto the chrome pipes that connect to the exhaust ports. All this pipework runs along the right hand side of the frame, level with the bottom of the tank and may well have been disturbed in the fall, just like the speedo connector was.

Just an idea, but we all know that if the oil in the tube coming out from underneath the air box is not purged occasionally it can back up into the airbox, causing it to puddle at the lowest point. I do know!
If the bike has been on it's side, could some of this engine oil got onto the air filter which as standard is quite soft and absorbent.
I would try checking the air filter or take it out completely and see if this improves things.
Obviously be careful as without the air filter in place any dust or contaminents can get straight into the throttle body.
Just a thought.

Cheers Steve.

PS when you fire it up without the snorkel and filter it sounds great!:icon_biggrin:

Steve, will do.

Im scared the problem may be tougher, like TPS and ecu problems or other electrical problems...... not cool.

Something else to ponder over, could there have been some crud in the fuel tank that has now found it's way into the fuel line restricting fuel to the motor?
Other bikes I've had tend to backfire & splutter when they were low on juice.
If you have to take the tank off again maybe worth a look.

Good luck.