04 r11s starts, doesnt run
 

Back story;
A little over a week ago it was below freezing when i got off work and my bike wouldn't start. I drained the battery trying to start it and had to jump it and it started. I rode it home and it was a few days before I was able to get the body off and take the batter to get tested. It tested fine, but a little low. The dealer thought maybe my 13 mile commute isnt enough to recharge my battery and to keep it on a battery tender even though i ride several times a week as long as theres not much chance of ice. While I had the tank off I decided I should bleed the brakes and get started on my 36,000 mile service. (bike has 30000 miles and Ive put 10000 miles since i bought it a year and a half ago).
Now;
Brake flush went fine, and when I reconnected my battery I open and closed the throttle like the manual says. The bike started up fine but runs aweful. it stumbles and smokes and will not idle at all, instead just dies if i let the rpm go below 3000. It was as if only one cylinder was firing. I confirmed this because the right cyclinder was much cooler than the left after running the bike for 30 sec. I pulled all 4 plugs and they were carbon fouled and smelled of gasoline. I tested spark at both the secondary and main wires with new plugs. there was spark on both cylinders (I dont konw if it was good or not because I've never done the test before).
My question is where to go from here?

Make sure the throttle cables are propely seated in the adjustment furrels on the throttle bodies.

Amen to what Mark Estes said. I have a '02 R1150RT along with the S bike. Bleed brakes on the RT for the second time in three years myself. Went to start it and my heart skipped some beats when the bike ran like crap and discovered a dead hole. On the RT, it will be the right side dead. There is a quick disconnect fuel line on the right side and throttle cable ferrell gets knocked out when disconnecting/connection. Is it your right cylinder? Bet it is.
Let us know.

Nathan
'02 BMW R1150RT
'04 BMW R1100S
'73 Triumph 750 Tiger

It was indeed the throttle cable! Thanks so much for your help. I think i am going to go ahead and test the coil. Reason is when I tested the spark the manual said I should see a fat blue spark, and mine was yellow with some blue. I am hoping to cure my fuel mileage and lack of power. Since finding this forum this week I have learned that many people are averaging 40mpg and able to do power wheelies. While wheeling isnt my goal, I do feel maybe my bike is a little sluggish. And I have never gotten 40. My best is 39 and I average about 38 when I run through the whole tank in the same day. when i am using the bike to commute I get 33-35, once as low as 31. Thanks again for the help

Power wheelies??? They need a little help getting the front wheel up in stock form. A speed bump, pop the clutch, pillion passenger all helps. You need to stand them up high and be fairly quick on the gear change to do much in second gear. Just my opinion of course. Mine (pipe and chip) is easy to get up with a pop of the clutch while rolling in first. There are some pics here somewhere of Bill Swartzwelder doing some nice wheelies, and not just in first gear if I recall correctly. Not that I condone hooligan behaviour.:D:D:D

Hooligan? :)


I run helium in my front tire.

And eats beans for extra propulsion :D