I lost my smoothness...

So, ever since changing my oil and going for a 200 mile ride I noticed that when I start my bike either in the AM or in the PM when going back it is not as smooth. I put Rotella T synthetic. The tach is at 1500rpm since the bike is cold and kind of oscilates between maybe 1400-1600 and you can hear it. Any idea why? Do I need to asjust my idle? When the bike is hot it does appear to be close to 1000-1100, do not know exactly.
Thanks for any help!

well i dunno if I have the same thing your talking about but at that RPM just above idle..it stutters..but its smooth once i get going

no, it's not exactly the same I think. It sounds like your idle is too low. My idle when the bike is cold is 1500 and it stutters - is that what you mean? I am thinking that with the better oil my idle has gotten lower and I probably need to adjust it up.

dankatz said:

no, it's not exactly the same I think. It sounds like your idle is too low. My idle when the bike is cold is 1500 and it stutters - is that what you mean? I am thinking that with the better oil my idle has gotten lower and I probably need to adjust it up.

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My '08 does the 1500+ stutter after starting cold but smoothes out in a minute and then settles down to about a 1200 +/- 50 RPM idle which is totally smooth. I've got 1900 miles on it and am running Rotella 5w-40 Synthetic in it.

OK, so not to worry? Do you think it is normal? It didn't do it before the oil change which is my only concern. BTW, isn't there a way to know the exact idle speed? I heard you can check it on the digital display somehow...anybody know how?

dankatz said:

OK, so not to worry? Do you think it is normal? It didn't do it before the oil change which is my only concern. BTW, isn't there a way to know the exact idle speed? I heard you can check it on the digital display somehow...anybody know how?

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On the '04-'06 model, the display could be changed to read a digital RPM but I'm not sure if we can on the newer ones. If you're below 1200, you can notch the idle up a little at a time until you've hit either smooth or 1200.

I don't think it's a problem. How's the oil level? Did you get the blue bottle of Rotella?

I checked the oil level after riding it for about 10 miles post oil change and was OK. I will recheck it. I did get the Blue Rotella - the synthetic version, 5w-40 from Pepboys. I have to say it actually looks and smells worse than Mobil 1. Mobil 1 has a lighter color to it and not as pungent smell. I'll try to adjust the idle and see if it makes a difference.
Thanks

dankatz said:

I checked the oil level after riding it for about 10 miles post oil change and was OK. I will recheck it. I did get the Blue Rotella - the synthetic version, 5w-40 from Pepboys. I have to say it actually looks and smells worse than Mobil 1. Mobil 1 has a lighter color to it and not as pungent smell. I'll try to adjust the idle and see if it makes a difference.
Thanks

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Keep us informed.

Yes, it does smell awful compared to Mobil 1 but it sure beats the price! Did you see my comments on how to handle the gallon containers? It was in a thread about how to change the oil in the Garage section.

Take care Dani!