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Transalp XL750 Jitter/ Jerky Issues at slower speeds while holding throttle open and steady

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15K views 52 replies 26 participants last post by  YARI  
#1 ·
I have just put on the first 500km on my new Transalp, and what an amazing machine it is! I just love the power and handling -EXCEPT I have been noticing that something is afoul. At first I thought it was just the roughness of the road surface transmitting up through the suspension, however I now realize it is actually the engine doing very small but noticeable (and now very annoying!) micro surges/ jerks or jitters (call them what you may). I would say they happen about 3 times a second and its a similar sensation to having bad gas with condensation (but I have changed my gas out to fresh 91 octane, so that’s not it).

Here are the conditions when this happens:

In Standard, Sport and User (with all settings maxed) modes, it is most noticeable in 3rd and 4th gears, while holding the throttle steady and open between 2000 and 4000 rpm, (as during cruising through a residential area). It only happens on flat, level pavement, not while going up or down a hill, and if the throttle is fully released, or accelerating, it does not happen -it only happens while holding the throttle open and steady.

I have read that a similar phenomenon has been documented with some Africa Twins and is a thing that also happens with other manufacturers’ bikes the have ride-by-wire 270 deg twins.

Does anyone out there know of a fix to this problem? Now that I have noticed it, I can’t un-notice it, and it’s starting to grate at me!

I posted this issue on FB and many other Tranny owners are coming out of the woodwork admitting the same issue.
 
#3 ·
I had an issue similar to this after i'd fitted oxford heated grips. I never rode the bike, but suddenly had a very stiff, binding throttle. I checked all the things i'd done repeatedly to no avail, checked clearances etc, sprayed crc down the tube........nothing. i then figured maybe i'd been a bit heavy handed shoving the oxford grip on before the glue set so, i simply loosend off the 2 throttle housing bolts, gave it a couple of thumps and all was perfect. I guess it's worth a try.
 
#5 ·
Hi Westeagle,

I am having the exact same problem as you. I absolutely love the bike with the exception of the micro surging and jerkiness. I have tried running different rpm ranges in different modes and nothing seems to make it better. I will be bringing the bike back to the dealer and asking them to ride the bike at a constant speed/rpm for a few miles. I believe there is no way they will be able to tell me that the level of jerkiness I am experiencing is normal on the 2024 TransAlp.

It has crossed over to the point that I'm not enjoying riding the motorcycle. I will report back with the results of my visit to my dealer. My bike has 1200 miles and was brought to the dealer for the 600 mile service. I told them at that time to test drive the bike and check out the jerkiness. I was told everything was fine, but the guy who test drove it took it for a short ride and was on and off the throttle so I'm sure he didn't experience the problem.
 
#8 ·
Those are the worst kind of issues. The 'sometimes it happens sometimes it doesnt. ive had many of those in the past. Had it on a Bmw 1250GS, the button to power the bike would work 95% of the time, but the other 5% i would need to press it 50x and then eventually it works and afterwards u cant replicate it anymore. But it ment whenever i went to a dealer, it wouldnt happen.. no fault codes nothing. And i always had the feeling they didnt believe me.
 
#9 ·
Their argument would be they can't afford to spend the time possibly necessary to discover the fault which is understandable, but does'nt help the customer. Then it ends up on a forum like this, exposed to potentially thousands, which generates bad PR for the brand. I'd wager heavily a big % of readers will now go out on their transalps, and attempt to replicate the reported fault and report it to their dealer. I could go on..........but i'll spare you all 🤣😂
 
#10 · (Edited)
Interesting, I have had misfires on 2 occasions, yesterday I had been doing about an hours slow gravel road riding and I had it set in gravel mode. When I got to the tarmac highway I switched it into standard mode and a few minutes after that it misfired/surged/jerked (whatever we want to call it) in 5th gear at about 80klm/hr. I'll be watching it now, my suspicion is it's related to mode changes, but I don't know that for sure. My bike has done 1200 klms and has had the first service. I filled it up with the highest octane available at the pump yesterday and believe I was running mid octane yesterday. No point in mentioning specific octanes because countries measure it differently. For Australians reading I was running 95 octane yesterday and filled it with 98 after the ride.
 
#11 ·
I have almost 8000km on mine in the past 3 months and it is the most frustrating bike to try and drive at slow speeds or low engine RPM. The mechanic at the dealership rode the bike and agrees with me but it is in the emission controls and nothing can be done by the dealer. The only hope is someone comes up with an ECU flash to cure it. Love the bike, hate the poor fueling.
 
#17 ·
You could contact Woolich Racing and ask if there is a dyno tuner near you that uses their software, or you can go through their training and do it yourself!

"For most customers, they will prefer to take their bike to a dyno tuner to tune their motorcycle, but if you are willing to spend the time to learn how to tune your bike, and to spend the time iterating the tune to achieve a desired result, buying your own kit could be a great investment."

https://www.woolichracing.com.au/products/honda/xl750/honda-xl750-ecu-flashing.aspx#productTable
 
#23 ·
Agreed, was lumpy round town originally, now seems a lot better, generally drives ok off the speed below the gear number so 20mph upwards for 3rd, 30 mph upwards for 4th, 40 mph in 5th.... Low speed it is a bit jerky in 1st and 2nd, but it is a minor fault. I might be getting used to it, but it seems improved.
 
#20 ·
For me jerkiness is noticeable when your trying to sense it. Otherwise a really steady throttle hand makes the issue a non-issue. It is also less pronounced on standart and rain modes. ALSO, rough terrain will affect/ jerk your throttle action and makes it worse than it is.

If its a modern bike, youll have this (euro5) but not so much with triumphs which are just butterly smooth.

This is a non issue for me as ive experiences it in older bikes euro3 and euro 4. Yes present in some cars too.
 
#21 ·
Ordered the Power Vision 3 from Dynojet. It should arrive next Tuesday.

 
#30 ·
Tried the TPS reset, using the method described and it did make some improvements.
Accelerating out of slow (wet) corners, where I have approached on a pretty much closed throttle at low speed, is now better. It pulls cleanly out of the corner. Previously it would buck and I would worry the suspension was moving unnecessarily as the bike bucks to and fro. In cold, icy conditions, the bike would be un-rideable.
So thats a plus. Watching the 'grip angle' numbers on the dash, the numbers now seem higher than they were previously, but that could be my imagination.
On the downside the constant throttle in low gears around 20 - 30 mph is still full of fueling problems.
 
#28 ·
Hi Westeagle. Are you still having this problem?
I had mine looked at at my dealer. I told the service guy to ride it at a steady speed/RPM. He did admit he felt the jerkiness and entered a "Case" with Honda. Of course Honda claims they have never heard of this problem. As I mentioned in my previous post, I love the bike other than this issue. I'm not enjoying riding the bike like I should be because of this micro surging. I understand the lean fueling and all that but I can't imagine this level of surging is happening on every 2024 TransAlp.
Please let me know if you've gotten anywhere with this problem or if it is still happening.
Thanks NE Rider
 
#45 ·
Only ridden mine 2k kms. Generally no complaints about throttle jerkiness until i rode a slow twisty and uneven paved road. The road just rocked my hand so much that I was riding like a beginner who couldnt control the bike well. It was really frustrating...!!!

Next ride i practiced insulating my trottle grip from any bumps by raising my elbows like how motocrossers ride. It helped somewhat.

Rathaer than complain, I thinks we should keep trying solutiin to. Itigate until we find a permanent fix.