Steering Lock, Popping and Running Hot

[nnklem]

Hey guys,

I just purchased a 2011 black Vaquero and I have come across a few issues in the first 300 miles I am hoping the forum can help me with.

1. I can not engage the steering lock when parking the bike. With the handlebar turned all the way to the left, the ignition switch will only turn about half way between "OFF" and "LOCK" and the key can not be removed at this position. What am I doing wrong?

2. The bike was a demo that had Cobra pipes already installed. I am noticing alot of popping during deceleration. Is this normal? Can anything be done to fix it?

3. The bike seems to run really hot. It consistently gets within two ticks from the red and I am concerned it may eventually cause damage to the engine. Is this normal? Can anything be done to help it stay cooler besides going faster?

Thanks to everybody for the help.

[ringadingh]

You may have an exhaust leak causing the popping sound, and you should check the coolant level to make sure that its up. Perhaps its not hot, the gauge may just read that way.

[Sin City Stan]

My old 2009 Nomad sometimes had to have the steering wiggled a little to get the forks to lock. Take the rest of your complaints to the dealer. The bikes brand new you shouldn't have to deal with this.

[gv550]

The handlebar needs to be positioned slightly less than all the way to the left, keep a bit if pressure on the key while slowly moving the handlebar.
If riding slow or stopped in traffic the temp gauge will read near the red, and should read about half when riding at 50 mph or so. Unless the needle actually gets in the red don't worry about it.

[redjay]

The general consensus is that the temp gauge "clocking" is off.
Rather than read in the middle of the gauge when the engine is at normal opearating temperature the gauge reads higher than half way. I dont think anyone has ever had their bike in the red zone although it will climb while in traffic. Dont sweat it, its normal.

[nnklem]

Thank you for all of the replies. I tried the "handlebar wiggle" and was able to lock the fork with relative ease.

I'll take everybody's advice about the temp gauge and just keep a close eye on it. It does run cooler when at highway speeds so I think what I am experiencing seems to be "normal" for this bike.

Now if I can just get the backfiring issue resolved. Going to try to get up to the dealer this weekend and see what he has to say. Just hope I don't get the run around because the exhaust is aftermarket. They sold me the bike with the aftermarket exhaust. They should want to try to fix it, correct? We'll see.

Thanks again.

Big Nate

[jestephens]

Originally Posted by nnklem

Thank you for all of the replies. I tried the "handlebar wiggle" and was able to lock the fork with relative ease.

I'll take everybody's advice about the temp gauge and just keep a close eye on it. It does run cooler when at highway speeds so I think what I am experiencing seems to be "normal" for this bike.

Now if I can just get the backfiring issue resolved. Going to try to get up to the dealer this weekend and see what he has to say. Just hope I don't get the run around because the exhaust is aftermarket. They sold me the bike with the aftermarket exhaust. They should want to try to fix it, correct? We'll see.

Thanks again.

Big Nate

My stock exhaust popped on decel, my modified-stock popped, and my custom stuff pops. I "marbled" a tube in the air intake, but need to double check it stayed I guess. Maybe there's some other air that needs to be blocked?

[azcruizer]

Unfortunately, with the lean running conditions programmed into the ECM from the factory, with aftermarket mufflers, you'll get popping on decel. Adding an aftermarket fuel control module (like a PC5) will reduce the popping to a minimum.

[racinfan101]

I was thinking along the same lines as azcruizer, plus it is my understanding a lean running bike will run a little hotter than one running rich.

[MASSEY7373]

IMO the popping on decel wont be helped too much by a programmer, its fresh air in the exhaust igniting unburnt fuel. The 2 ways that allow air in are an exhaust leak or, on purpose for EPA compliance. I found on my voyager a 1/2" brass PEX plug will fit in the air box hole very snug with no need for glue. A 3/4" pex plug will also fit snug in the hose itself which i double secured with a zip tie. A 1/4 pipe tap NPT will easily tap the air box hole and you can install a pipe plug just do it off the bike to prevent any shaving going into the throttle intake. The pipes will run cooler with this marbling mod but the bike will run the same temp. Maybe the dealer wont disengage the air switching valves so its worth a try