KCC
Guest
Hi folks,
I found a new (16 miles) leftover 2010 NT700V that had sat unsold at a dealership until I bought it in 2013. Great motorcycle; I now understand why they are so appreciated by those of us who own them. Neat motorcycle. In have an ST1300 that I really like for long distance travel, but really appreciate that the NT700V is about 265 pounds lighter.
Since new, I've noticed an unusual "pulsation" of power transfer to the rear wheel, just off idle RPM, that's cyclic, about 2 per second, that occurs when the engine is cold and the clutch is just into the very beginning of the friction zone (as in just very slightly engaged; for instance, when moving the motorcycle at very low speed, maneuvering it out of the garage, or moving out from a stop). Almost feels like rhythmically and repeatedly moving the clutch lever into and out of the friction zone. Or, kind of feels like warped clutch plates feel. Only happens with a cold engine. When the engine is at normal operating temperature, clutch engagement is smooth and linear.
Had the local Honda dealer inspect the clutch for warped or contaminated plates; no discrepancies were noted. The research he did revealed this in not an uncommon problem with the NT700V, but he is at a loss to explain why it occurs. He thought that since the motorcycle sat unused for quite a while at the selling dealership that possibly that portion of the fiber clutch plates that were immersed in oil may have absorbed more oil that those above the oil level, causing a difference in the friction/grip of the "dry" versus "wet" portion of the plates, that goes away when the oil has warmed and the clutch plates are equally oil soaked. Hmm.... maybe, maybe not.
The other thought I had is that with cold, relatively thick oil, when the engine is cold, that possibly what I am feeling is the inherent power pulses of the engine related to its crank timing, the power pulses being not an equal 180 degrees apart. Honda USA says that is probably what is happening; feeling the unequal power pulses, but only with a cold engine.
I'm using Honda GN4 10W30. The motorcycle has never had other than Genuine Honda oil (no automotive, "friction modifier" type oils). I have an '89 Transalp with basically the same engine that doesn't exhibit these symptoms.
So, thought I'd toss this out to the group to see if anyone else has experienced this "character trait" of my NT.
Thanks.
Ken
Montana
I found a new (16 miles) leftover 2010 NT700V that had sat unsold at a dealership until I bought it in 2013. Great motorcycle; I now understand why they are so appreciated by those of us who own them. Neat motorcycle. In have an ST1300 that I really like for long distance travel, but really appreciate that the NT700V is about 265 pounds lighter.
Since new, I've noticed an unusual "pulsation" of power transfer to the rear wheel, just off idle RPM, that's cyclic, about 2 per second, that occurs when the engine is cold and the clutch is just into the very beginning of the friction zone (as in just very slightly engaged; for instance, when moving the motorcycle at very low speed, maneuvering it out of the garage, or moving out from a stop). Almost feels like rhythmically and repeatedly moving the clutch lever into and out of the friction zone. Or, kind of feels like warped clutch plates feel. Only happens with a cold engine. When the engine is at normal operating temperature, clutch engagement is smooth and linear.
Had the local Honda dealer inspect the clutch for warped or contaminated plates; no discrepancies were noted. The research he did revealed this in not an uncommon problem with the NT700V, but he is at a loss to explain why it occurs. He thought that since the motorcycle sat unused for quite a while at the selling dealership that possibly that portion of the fiber clutch plates that were immersed in oil may have absorbed more oil that those above the oil level, causing a difference in the friction/grip of the "dry" versus "wet" portion of the plates, that goes away when the oil has warmed and the clutch plates are equally oil soaked. Hmm.... maybe, maybe not.
The other thought I had is that with cold, relatively thick oil, when the engine is cold, that possibly what I am feeling is the inherent power pulses of the engine related to its crank timing, the power pulses being not an equal 180 degrees apart. Honda USA says that is probably what is happening; feeling the unequal power pulses, but only with a cold engine.
I'm using Honda GN4 10W30. The motorcycle has never had other than Genuine Honda oil (no automotive, "friction modifier" type oils). I have an '89 Transalp with basically the same engine that doesn't exhibit these symptoms.
So, thought I'd toss this out to the group to see if anyone else has experienced this "character trait" of my NT.
Thanks.
Ken
Montana