I may be paranoid, but this is my first brand-new bike and I want to make sure this isn't an issue.

I brought home my 2011 Forty-Eight yesterday -- after tooling around today it has a total of 40 miles on it.

I am missing most of my left hand (just enough of a thumb to work a clutch -- been riding since I was 8). To compensate I often tighten my grip on my right hand, especially in stopping.

I noticed today that my throttle cables were kind of loose looking (about a quarter inch give in and out of the assembly). I read that this may be normal, but I also feel a full half inch of clockwise give AFTER the throttle snaps back to idle.

I notice this when I am stopping and I have to bear down with my right hand. The throttle and idle cables even twitch, and it feels like I may be pushing against something that will break.

In case this description is incoherent I am posting a short video of it as well.

Appreciate any feedback. Depending on what you all say, I may take it to my dealer tomorrow...though I am not looking forward to a service charge only a day off the showroom floor.

http://youtu.be/ltTuifjW7gY

 

Mine is EXACTLY like that! 2011 XL1200C. I have 700 mikes on her but it started at 100ish miles. Service MGR said nothing to worry about,,we will take out the slack in the 1000 mi service. Its brand new and all the cabels stretch

 

That is reassuring to hear. I was worried I was going to bust something loose. I had my stock grips out in case the Service Manager said the HD Silencers were to blame for some reason (I bought the bike with them already installed).

 

your cables just stretched a bit dude. normal. welcome to the site. owners manual will tell you how to adjust it. be safe out there. got a big set a nuts dude riding with 1 and a half hands. god bless ya!

 

Thanks dude -- I started off on an old school Honda CB100 a neighbor had in his shop. That's where I learned to steer-grip-throttle with my right hand and shift with my left wrist.

I appreciate the feedback on the cables. I looked at the explanations for both the throttle and idle cable adjustments (on these boards -- I couldn't find it in the book the dealer gave me). I think I am gonna drop the cash on the Sportster 2011 Service Manual.

 

no problem! if you plan on working on your own bike, that manual will be the best 50bucks you ever spent.