Idle speed & Fuel Light - SV650.org

Stu · 11-07-06, 09:20 AM

I took my K4 for its 4000mile service today and asked them to reduce the idle speed. It is 1500 (or more) and I read in the Throttle Position Sensor mod that it should be 1200. They told me they would lower it if I wanted but 1500 was fine and any lower would damage the crank. Who is right?

My fuel light only comes on solid with 40 miles left in reserve, everyone else tells me it should flash first then go solid with 5/10 miles in reserve. The garage said they only flash on K6's or GSXR's any other flashing is the petrol swilling in the tank. Again who is right please?

11-07-06, 09:28 AM

I usd to keep my idle speed @ about 1500 it made the bike smoother. Can't help with the fuel light, soz.

11-07-06, 09:35 AM

I've a K5 which should be identical, bar the colour scheme. The handbook says idle should be 1200-1300 but i can't see it being higher doing any harm.
Regarding damaging the crank, do a search on start-up or similar. Peeps on here have different opinions on how long to leave the bike idling before setting off. Some say idling from cold wears the crank and it is better to set off straight away and ride gently so there might be something in having a higher idle ( can't see 200 rpm making a big difference tho).
As for the fuel light it should flash at 4litres left and come on solid at 1.5 litres left.

11-07-06, 09:36 AM

1200 ought to be fine as idle speed... can't recall what Haynes says - something like 1300 rpm + or - 200 rpm - anyone got the actual figures? Mine is set at about 1600 and suits me fine.

The flashing fuel light was only on the curvies (up to 2002) I believe - the pointies (2003 onwards) go on and stay on once you're down to about a gallon. It'll go on and off a bit if you're going over bumps and up/down hills, as the sensor gets different readings, but it won't be flashing liike the curvies did. May be that they brought this flashing feature back for the 2006 models.

Think it works pretty well on the pointies - about 50 miles left from when the light goes solid. Never been caught out. Unlike the guy on the K5 at work who ran out and had to walk the rest of the way in. Doh!

Stu · 11-07-06, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyaikido

I've a K5 which should be identical, bar the colour scheme. The handbook says idle should be 1200-1300 but i can't see it being higher doing any harm.
Regarding damaging the crank, do a search on start-up or similar. Peeps on here have different opinions on how long to leave the bike idling before setting off. Some say idling from cold wears the crank and it is better to set off straight away and ride gently so there might be something in having a higher idle ( can't see 200 rpm making a big difference tho).
As for the fuel light it should flash at 4litres left and come on solid at 1.5 litres left.

I take it then that K5 fuel lights flash, not just curvys and K6's - anyone got a K4 or better still an owners manual for a K4 (the main site only has curvy handbook)

11-07-06, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stu369

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyaikido

I've a K5 which should be identical, bar the colour scheme. The handbook says idle should be 1200-1300 but i can't see it being higher doing any harm.
Regarding damaging the crank, do a search on start-up or similar. Peeps on here have different opinions on how long to leave the bike idling before setting off. Some say idling from cold wears the crank and it is better to set off straight away and ride gently so there might be something in having a higher idle ( can't see 200 rpm making a big difference tho).
As for the fuel light it should flash at 4litres left and come on solid at 1.5 litres left.

I take it then that K5 fuel lights flash, not just curvys and K6's - anyone got a K4 or better still an owners manual for a K4 (the main site only has curvy handbook)

Curvey SV's flash, K5 onwards flash, K3/K4 dont.

11-07-06, 10:27 AM

I have my idle set to 1100 or so during the summer and 1300 or so during the winter.

Stu · 11-07-06, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carsick

I have my idle set to 1100 or so during the summer and 1300 or so during the winter.

Out of interest, why so low? For the throbbing sound? save petrol? save engine wear?
Thanks

11-07-06, 10:56 AM

Any higher seemed unnecessary since it idled fine at those speeds.

11-07-06, 09:20 AM	#1
Stu Trinity Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Guildford Posts: 8,027	Idle speed & Fuel Light I took my K4 for its 4000mile service today and asked them to reduce the idle speed. It is 1500 (or more) and I read in the Throttle Position Sensor mod that it should be 1200. They told me they would lower it if I wanted but 1500 was fine and any lower would damage the crank. Who is right? My fuel light only comes on solid with 40 miles left in reserve, everyone else tells me it should flash first then go solid with 5/10 miles in reserve. The garage said they only flash on K6's or GSXR's any other flashing is the petrol swilling in the tank. Again who is right please?

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11-07-06, 09:28 AM	#2
John Burt Guest Posts: n/a	I usd to keep my idle speed @ about 1500 it made the bike smoother. Can't help with the fuel light, soz.

11-07-06, 09:35 AM	#3
andyaikido Guest Posts: n/a	I've a K5 which should be identical, bar the colour scheme. The handbook says idle should be 1200-1300 but i can't see it being higher doing any harm. Regarding damaging the crank, do a search on start-up or similar. Peeps on here have different opinions on how long to leave the bike idling before setting off. Some say idling from cold wears the crank and it is better to set off straight away and ride gently so there might be something in having a higher idle ( can't see 200 rpm making a big difference tho). As for the fuel light it should flash at 4litres left and come on solid at 1.5 litres left.

11-07-06, 09:36 AM	#4
SVeeedy Gonzales Guest Posts: n/a	1200 ought to be fine as idle speed... can't recall what Haynes says - something like 1300 rpm + or - 200 rpm - anyone got the actual figures? Mine is set at about 1600 and suits me fine. The flashing fuel light was only on the curvies (up to 2002) I believe - the pointies (2003 onwards) go on and stay on once you're down to about a gallon. It'll go on and off a bit if you're going over bumps and up/down hills, as the sensor gets different readings, but it won't be flashing liike the curvies did. May be that they brought this flashing feature back for the 2006 models. Think it works pretty well on the pointies - about 50 miles left from when the light goes solid. Never been caught out. Unlike the guy on the K5 at work who ran out and had to walk the rest of the way in. Doh!

11-07-06, 10:27 AM	#7
Carsick Guest Posts: n/a	I have my idle set to 1100 or so during the summer and 1300 or so during the winter.

11-07-06, 10:56 AM	#9
Carsick Guest Posts: n/a	Any higher seemed unnecessary since it idled fine at those speeds.