I wonder if your gas cap isn't venting properly. Not sure how that works with a pressurize system but I'd think it must play a part. Or a fuel line that has got soft and collapsing. I'm not at all knowledgable on these fuel injected systems and the pressure(s) they need but I suspect something in there isn't working correctly. But hopefully one of our gurus will have an answer for you.
Stumped...Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe
I have a 2007 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe with just over 33K miles on it. Today I was out riding around in the local area, run a few errands, visit dad at the home, stop at a body shop about a project I have. I had stopped in a small town for about a half hour and I headed east out of town. Speed limit went from 35, to 45, to 55.
I was in 4th gear as I approached the 55 MPH zone so I sped up to 55 and shifted into 5th (high) gear.
In less than a hundred yards the engine died. I coasted a little ways and then managed to turn in to the driveway of a small business. I sat there for just a minute wondering what the heck had happened now. I checked the kill switch. It was still in the run position. But I flipped it back and forth a couple times anyway. Checked fuel petcock, it was on, choke was off, over 1/2 tank of fuel in the tank. I then shifted it into neutral and tried the starter.
The engine turned over just like it normally would but didn't start right up, like it normally does. After maybe 3 or 4 seconds, the engine started firing and then started running normally. I revved it up a couple times then let it go to idle. Then I shut it off. Turned the key back on, hit the starter and it fired right up, like normal. Rode the rest of the way home, about 5 miles, and it never missed once. Temperatures were in the upper 80's or lower 90's.
This bike did nearly the same thing 2 years ago right after I first got it. I was in Colorado and was coming through LaVita Pass, (LaVeta?). I had came through the pass and was on the downhill side when the engine died. I tried starting it several times while coasting down the hill and it wouldn't start. I finally gave up and just coasted to a stop on the side of the road.
I got off, checked fuel, choke, plug wires got back on the bike and it started right up. Rode from Colorado back to Arkansas and it never missed once. When it quit in Colorado, after talking to other riders and the dealership, the suspect was just the altitude caused it to die. Now I'm not so sure.
When I got home I parked the bike for about an hour . I got to wondering if my fuel pump had quit temporarily on me. When I turned the key on, I could hear the fuel pump, pumping up pressure, and the bike started again just like it normally would.
Before it died, there weren't any warning lights coming on. Anyone got any ideas?
I was in 4th gear as I approached the 55 MPH zone so I sped up to 55 and shifted into 5th (high) gear.
In less than a hundred yards the engine died. I coasted a little ways and then managed to turn in to the driveway of a small business. I sat there for just a minute wondering what the heck had happened now. I checked the kill switch. It was still in the run position. But I flipped it back and forth a couple times anyway. Checked fuel petcock, it was on, choke was off, over 1/2 tank of fuel in the tank. I then shifted it into neutral and tried the starter.
The engine turned over just like it normally would but didn't start right up, like it normally does. After maybe 3 or 4 seconds, the engine started firing and then started running normally. I revved it up a couple times then let it go to idle. Then I shut it off. Turned the key back on, hit the starter and it fired right up, like normal. Rode the rest of the way home, about 5 miles, and it never missed once. Temperatures were in the upper 80's or lower 90's.
This bike did nearly the same thing 2 years ago right after I first got it. I was in Colorado and was coming through LaVita Pass, (LaVeta?). I had came through the pass and was on the downhill side when the engine died. I tried starting it several times while coasting down the hill and it wouldn't start. I finally gave up and just coasted to a stop on the side of the road.
I got off, checked fuel, choke, plug wires got back on the bike and it started right up. Rode from Colorado back to Arkansas and it never missed once. When it quit in Colorado, after talking to other riders and the dealership, the suspect was just the altitude caused it to die. Now I'm not so sure.
When I got home I parked the bike for about an hour . I got to wondering if my fuel pump had quit temporarily on me. When I turned the key on, I could hear the fuel pump, pumping up pressure, and the bike started again just like it normally would.
Before it died, there weren't any warning lights coming on. Anyone got any ideas?
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I guess I should have mentioned its not a fuel injected engine, it has carburetors. But you may still be on to something. Last year I replaced the fuel pump. While I was doing that, I discovered the fuel filter was hidden down below the battery box where it was hard to see and hard to get to. I re-routed some fuel lines so the fuel filter can be seen as soon as the seat is pulled off. I'll have a look at those fuel lines again to make sure nothing has kinked, also take a gander at the fuel filter since it's right there. 
I was just thinking back to when the engine died. I was accelerating in 4th gear up to 55 MPH. When I hit 55, and shifted in to high gear, I had let off the throttle. At that point, I had started down a little hill so I was probably giving very little if any throttle at that point. I had the radio playing so I may not have noticed that the engine had died until I started to give it some throttle.
At 55 MPH, with the clutch engaged, in high gear, the exhaust still makes some noise. Right now I'm thinking the engine could have died right as I let off the throttle. Another clue, maybe, maybe not?
At 55 MPH, with the clutch engaged, in high gear, the exhaust still makes some noise. Right now I'm thinking the engine could have died right as I let off the throttle. Another clue, maybe, maybe not?
My first thought was fuel pump as well but you say you can hear it pump up. Side stand safety switch? Sounds like you may be breaking out the ohm meter and checking all your connections. Good luck.
Oh I hope I don't have to do that, again. Had a '95 Goldwing several years back, those things are ate up with relays, and safety switches.
Today I pulled the seat off and side covers. Checked all the fuel lines. No kinks, fuel pump seems to be working just fine. I also checked the fuel filter. Still looks good and clean. So I put it all back together and went riding. Went less than a mile and it died again, and I know exactly why this time. I took my right hand off the grip a moment and when I put it back on the grip, I accidently hit the kill switch. Flipped it back on and away I went.
Could I have done that the first time, but not flipped the kill switch so far that it was obvious? I don't know. Don't remember now if I took my hand off the grip. Could have, maybe. Anyhow rode all over the place the rest of the day without any problems at all.
Could I have done that the first time, but not flipped the kill switch so far that it was obvious? I don't know. Don't remember now if I took my hand off the grip. Could have, maybe. Anyhow rode all over the place the rest of the day without any problems at all.
I never use the kill switch. I did once. Riding with a group and got stopped by road construction. I hit the kill switch and then the ignition. about 30 minutes later traffic started moving and I tried to start the bike. No Joy. Tried everything including bump starting it as it was down hill. Racked my brain and finally figured out that I had used the kill switch. First thing I check now
Play with that kill switch, see if it can get into a weird position where it's cut off but not obvious like you suspect. If it can, you probably found it.
Reminds of the time i thought the transmission on my Vstar was going bad, it suddenly started jumping out of first gear as I pulled out of my alleyway, left turn from gravel and mud to pavement, steep downhill to steeper uphill. It made for a few awkward moments, I damn near dropped it a few times. It happened some days, not others, I was ready to start tearing it apart when I realized that I had bought a new pair of boots the day it started doing that, and never happened when I wore my old boots! A lightbulb went off in my head and a brief investigation followed, I found the issue, Yup, my 13EEE boot heel was coming down on the heel shifter as I picked my feet up, something about the way I did it on that spot was repeatable too.
I cut off the heel shifter with a die grinder and fixed my transmission problem
Reminds of the time i thought the transmission on my Vstar was going bad, it suddenly started jumping out of first gear as I pulled out of my alleyway, left turn from gravel and mud to pavement, steep downhill to steeper uphill. It made for a few awkward moments, I damn near dropped it a few times. It happened some days, not others, I was ready to start tearing it apart when I realized that I had bought a new pair of boots the day it started doing that, and never happened when I wore my old boots! A lightbulb went off in my head and a brief investigation followed, I found the issue, Yup, my 13EEE boot heel was coming down on the heel shifter as I picked my feet up, something about the way I did it on that spot was repeatable too.
I cut off the heel shifter with a die grinder and fixed my transmission problem
I am making an assumption here, that the shutdown was relatively abrupt, which to ME, implies “electrical.” There could be wires that are getting old and they’re shorting out, or there could be a relay that is just not functioning properly anymore. After all.....you’ve got a lot of miles on that bike!
I understand that spending the money is probably not the greatest thought in the world, but I’d have it professionally diagnosed. Considering it’s age, give it a good work up, and see if it passes a stress test. If it doesn’t, and you don’t want to spend the money on the repairs, buy a new touring bike. It’s time!
I understand that spending the money is probably not the greatest thought in the world, but I’d have it professionally diagnosed. Considering it’s age, give it a good work up, and see if it passes a stress test. If it doesn’t, and you don’t want to spend the money on the repairs, buy a new touring bike. It’s time!
These bikes are good for well over a hundred thousand miles Soup
I'll fiddle with the kill switch next time I get the bike out of the trailer. It's a cloudy, overcast day today and I've got to run some errands and I'll need my truck.
I'd rather spend a few bucks on this bike if I have to, than buy another one. This one's paid for and I really like the way it can eat up the miles when I get out and want to go somewheres. With my limited income, a payment on another bike, along with full coverage insurance, would really put a damper on just getting out and riding.
I'd rather spend a few bucks on this bike if I have to, than buy another one. This one's paid for and I really like the way it can eat up the miles when I get out and want to go somewheres. With my limited income, a payment on another bike, along with full coverage insurance, would really put a damper on just getting out and riding.
Now it's raining. Nice and cool out right now, but soggy.
Totally agree that "electrical" is a strong suspect.I am making an assumption here, that the shutdown was relatively abrupt, which to ME, implies “electrical.” There could be wires that are getting old and they’re shorting out, or there could be a relay that is just not functioning properly anymore. After all.....you’ve got a lot of miles on that bike!
Ignition coils and plug wires can be the Devil...work just fine, then they don't, then they do. If you've never replaced the plug wires, I'd do that as a basic maintenance item whether it's the problem or not.
A shop can test the coil (you can also DIY with a simple search and a few tools) but it still may test "good" but fail under certain conditions. Carry an extra spark plug with you and when the bike dies, plug in that plug, hold the threads against something metal to ground it, crank the bike and see if you have a spark...if not, well, there's yer problem.
Check the fuel pump I had a 2006 that would do this and it was a bad ground on the pump - verify it runs when the key is turned on.
This bike has four coils, If one goes bad you will know from the loss of gas millage and the strong smell of fuel. Friend of mines Venture lost a coil and it took forever to figure it out. There is a performance loss as well, but he did know this because he bought it that way. Wasn't until he got it fixed that he realized how much power it actually had.
When it died, it was rather abrupt. If it clears off a bit this afternoon, I'll go out and fiddle with it some more. Appreciate the ideas.
The stupid kill switch has very small parts. Be extra careful. Electrical connections are often the first suspect.
I have had the starter relay fail, the connection to the ignition box, the connection to the head light relay, the main connection near the steering head, and the kill switch, just thunked, and the key switch. Not to mention blown fuses.
On my 41 Ford tractor, the resistance from one side of the amp meter to the other, was large. The connections looked good, but they were not shiny. The connections get a sheen type of cover on them, that resists volts. On Yami, the fuel mileage jumped up about 4 mpg, after fixing bad connections.
I suggest you unplug and clean every piece in the ignition wyring. But if it stays running, maybe not.
When I fire Dark Vader, I will bypass every stupid connection. Will just be the key for on and off.
UK
I have had the starter relay fail, the connection to the ignition box, the connection to the head light relay, the main connection near the steering head, and the kill switch, just thunked, and the key switch. Not to mention blown fuses.
On my 41 Ford tractor, the resistance from one side of the amp meter to the other, was large. The connections looked good, but they were not shiny. The connections get a sheen type of cover on them, that resists volts. On Yami, the fuel mileage jumped up about 4 mpg, after fixing bad connections.
I suggest you unplug and clean every piece in the ignition wyring. But if it stays running, maybe not.
When I fire Dark Vader, I will bypass every stupid connection. Will just be the key for on and off.
UK
Went out this morning to get the bike out of the trailer. Strong gas smell. Got it out and found a little bit of gas at the bottom of the "V". Wiped it up but there wasn't much to wipe up. Couldn't see where it was coming from.
Turned on the key, lights come on like normal, hit starter, it starts turning over like normal but doesn't start. Turn key off, back on, lights come on, hit starter and nothing, no lights, motor doesn't turn over, nothing.
Pull the seat and check all the fuses, they're good. Kind a pull and twist on the negative battery cable, nothing. Pull and twist on the positive cable and buzzzzzzzz, fuel pump comes on. I had left the key on. Pulled and cleaned the battery cable. All the lights come on. Hit the starter and the engine spins and popped a few times but didn't start. Checked the petcock and made sure the choke was off.
Hit the starter and held it a few seconds and it started. Let it run a little bit then turned it off. Started right back up. Did that several times. Then went in the house and ate lunch. After lunch I got on the bike, it started right up. I idled it the hundred yards of so out our flint rock and dirt excuse for a road to the asphalt.
Turned right on to the asphalt and what the heck! Acts like its running on two cyclinders (its a 4 banger). Open the throttle a little and WAAAAHHH, now its percolating! Shift to second gear, same thing. Third gear and it dies. Never took my hands off the grips. Had not touched the kill switch. Coasted up to a side road and pulled the seat off. Could get the lights to come on, but whenever I hit the start button everything just went black.
Called the wife to come get me so I could hook the trailer to the truck and go get my bike. Trying to roll a 800 pound bike around on a dirt road in 90 degree weather will cause you to sweat. Our neighbor boy stopped to help and probably saved me from another heart attack. I'm tired and hot and don't want to work on it right now, but I'm going to check what TriPlay said about a faulty ground wire. If I have to I can run a ground directly to the negative side of the battery.
Turned on the key, lights come on like normal, hit starter, it starts turning over like normal but doesn't start. Turn key off, back on, lights come on, hit starter and nothing, no lights, motor doesn't turn over, nothing.
Pull the seat and check all the fuses, they're good. Kind a pull and twist on the negative battery cable, nothing. Pull and twist on the positive cable and buzzzzzzzz, fuel pump comes on. I had left the key on. Pulled and cleaned the battery cable. All the lights come on. Hit the starter and the engine spins and popped a few times but didn't start. Checked the petcock and made sure the choke was off.
Hit the starter and held it a few seconds and it started. Let it run a little bit then turned it off. Started right back up. Did that several times. Then went in the house and ate lunch. After lunch I got on the bike, it started right up. I idled it the hundred yards of so out our flint rock and dirt excuse for a road to the asphalt.
Turned right on to the asphalt and what the heck! Acts like its running on two cyclinders (its a 4 banger). Open the throttle a little and WAAAAHHH, now its percolating! Shift to second gear, same thing. Third gear and it dies. Never took my hands off the grips. Had not touched the kill switch. Coasted up to a side road and pulled the seat off. Could get the lights to come on, but whenever I hit the start button everything just went black.
Called the wife to come get me so I could hook the trailer to the truck and go get my bike. Trying to roll a 800 pound bike around on a dirt road in 90 degree weather will cause you to sweat. Our neighbor boy stopped to help and probably saved me from another heart attack. I'm tired and hot and don't want to work on it right now, but I'm going to check what TriPlay said about a faulty ground wire. If I have to I can run a ground directly to the negative side of the battery.
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