Got a tweety bird in my engine!

redheadlover

“Be excellent to one-another!”
Joined
Jul 10, 2014
Messages
15
Location
St. Louis, MIssouri
Ride
2013 R3T
2013 r3t. 4000 miles
Stock exhaust, running Power-Tripp tune.
Just removed the stock air filter and plenum, replaced with triple K&N filters under the bearclaw.

Now when I accelerate it sounds like a tweety bird is trying to escape from the engine. (Or exactly like an early 1970s VW Beetle.)

The engine runs notably smother in 3rd & 4th gear, but I now have a new vibration in the handlebars when cruising at 70-75 mph in 5th gear.

Throttle response is improved, but it feel like I may have lost some torque. (She just doesn't seem to pull like she use too).

Gas mileage is right at 25mpg after two tanks.

Thoughts?
 
The chirping noise with those filters is normal under acceleration. As for the vibrations, unless the tune is wrong or a separate issue has happened, not sure about that.
 
Yeah, the gas mileage and perceived loss of torque doesn't sound right for a stock exhaust. Are you sure you have the right tune?
 
That noise has been referenced as crickets before...
 
Noise is dependant on your taste.. it's either "horsepower being made" or "really annoying" .. I find it the latter .. remedy was fitting an OzClaw .. no more chirping just horsepower being made.
 
I have always found it amusing that people think their mileage will be better when they let it breathe and exhale better and more efficiently. I saw this all the time with my Fellow Harley riders as they asked: "What happened to my gas mileage, it's went way down?" I'd say that I noticed that since the aftermarket (Loud) exhaust and air cleaner mod was installed, he was ALWAYS on the throttle, just to hear the sweet sounds, at every stop and under bridges and underpasses, the throttle was always "Blipped," just to hear the music. The accelerator pump on carb'd Harleys just loved to quirt lots of extra fuel into the engine to make the wonderful, potato-potato sounds

My last tank was a little over 40 mpg

Sam
 
Unless you were riding VERY hard, you should get better than 25mpg. The worst I have ever had was 28, and that was riding into the sunset in Nebraska for a couple of hours at around 100mph, with a big screen and all my travelling gear. If it is tuned correctly then "normal" responsible type riding should get you in the mid to high 30's, and more aggressive use of the throttle should drop it down from there. Cruising along at high altitude in the mountains of Colorado in summer could get you well into the 40's.

As @Porky said, heavy throttle = poor mileage. However, if the engine is running more efficiently because it is tuned correctly then it can return better mileage when the right wrist is in a bit more control.
 
I wouldn't worry about fuel consumption. If it's running right, who cares? If spending a few extra cents per km really bothers you, buy a 250. Now, loss of torque is something to worry about. With easier breathing in, maybe consider easier breathing out. Just a thought.
 
redheadlover said:
Now when I accelerate it sounds like a tweety bird is trying to escape from the engine. (Or exactly like an early 1970s VW Beetle.) Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Ah yes The Crickets. At the moment mine sounds like a BIG Wood-Pecker on Speed. I get 31.36 MPG (US) pretty much constantly. 7.5L/100km - Until I keep it running above 3500rpms for long stretches - then it drops to about 28 (8,5L) - I think Ian feeds his R3 the odd gobbit of curry.
 
Like @CanberraR3 I don't care or think about fuel consumption on my bike. If I was worried about how much my fuel was costing I wouldn't ride the bike. On the other hand if diesel was a bit cheaper it would make my 3.5 Klm per litre from my truck that I knock up 2000 Klm a week in much easier to take. As for the less torque, may be just a seat off the pants thing. If it was me I'd be getting a good dyno tune.
 
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