Hello everyone

I just got my first bike a few weeks ago. 2012 harley sportster low rider 883.

Love the bike to pieces (as does my wife) but i have ran into two issues.

Issue one: this is a 4.5 gallon tank on this beast and yet the low fuel light kicks in at 50-70 miles..

Issue two: After i put 100 miles on the bike it will hesitate during throttle (any gear) This scares the crap out of me, its happened a few times. Ill be driving for 20 minutes or so when i hit that 100 mile mark and BAM the engine disconnects power from the throttle and reconnects 2 seconds later and re attaches power and jerks the bike forward (only happens when throttling to accelerate).. this happened today around a turn, scared me to death..

Ive talked to harley about it before and they said the fuel light is just a warning (duh) but i said to them the manual states its suppose to come on when you have 1 gallon left.. it comes on before i use 2 gallons!!

the hesitation could be part of break in he said (having a hard time believing that) but wanted to see it if it happened again.. well it has and it scares me to death lol.. now this is the dealer saying this not the tech as he wasnt in at the time so i dought he knows anything.

the dealership is closed tomorrow but im taking it next week..

I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions that i could look into so that way id have something i could look for on the bike incase its small. The fuel light i figure it definately going to be a shop issue..

Thank you guys for any suggestions and help

A little upset my first experience with harley hasnt been the most positive but oo well

 

Don't trust the fuel light! Ever! Go by mileage. I'm guessing you can get whatever sensor it may be replaced. My light every once in a while will come on at 20 miles or so right after I filled up.

As far the the engine jerking. Do you loose electrical too? If so, check your battery connections! If not, then take it in to the dealer!

Enjoy the new ride!

 

Lol ya i heard about not trusting the fuel light and i havnt, it just erks me (i cant deal with that).

I dont believe i lose electric. My gauge lights were on (it was dark out).

I would be crusing along, then i would throttle and instead of accelerating it would act like i was still crusing and then 2 seconds later connect with the throttle and jerk like a horse kicking me off.. around a lean it happened tonight which was enough for me to park it and walk away..

but it only happens after i hit 100 miles on the tank.. this is weird, its a 4.5 gallon tank not some small tank.. i get around 35-40mpg on it.. im approaching 400 miles on the bike (bought brand new)

Thank you

 

Could be a fuel pump issue..

 

if you get only 35-40 mpg out of an 883 you have other problems.

 

its under warranty so id be happy for any solution..

i thought that cause the harley website says 50 combined city/highway.. im not a snale driver with the bike nor do i drive it like a racing driver either so i kinda expected more.

this sucks man, my first bike brand new having problems.. i understand stuff happens but meh.. if i can get this fixed ill be thrilled!!

i love this bike it rides so nice and everything.. only thing i want to do is, change seat to mustang 2 up with sissybar and pad and luggage rack (for now)..

thank you guys for the help.. ill bring this up to the tech.. hoping to go monday,.

 

I don't think that these bikes realize 50 mpg if you're riding in town, and until it's broken in a little bit more. Things are tight. I have a low fuel light that seems to come on very quickly on my Iron, so when I go to fill up, it usually only takes about 1.65 gallons, in a 3.3 gallon tank. Never missed a beat on acceleration though...

 

Many say that once the engine gets broken in more, your MPG will go up. I get around 35-40 in the city and about 45 MPG on the highway on my 1200C.

Take the bike in. It is still under warranty. Bring up both issues.

 

Don't call it a "low rider". The dealership will laugh at you. It's an "883 Low".
The hesitation problem you're having isn't typical for an unmodified, fuel injected bike. Something's wrong. It's under warranty, let the dealer fix it. If you want to check something, check the ground connections at the battery (as mentioned) and the frame. Does the check engine light come on for eight seconds after the bike is running? That would indicate a trouble code is stored in the odometer. You can check for codes yourself. All you gotta do is press the odometer reset button in the prescribed sequence. If it's something you're interested in, search around. I don't have the instructions handy, but I can get them.
Harley fuel gauges are crap. It's more fun to check your mileage. I'm 200# and get 50 mpg riding in a spirited manner around back roads.
Let us know what develops, and welcome to the forum.

 

mine comes on around 1.5-2 gallons. i just use the over mileage on trip A.

I do mostly city and ya 35 is my average..

When i put the ignition key in i turn it to on. i then turn on the kill switch from off to on and the engine light stays on for few seconds then turns off.. thats when i proceed to press start.. thats what the dealership told me to do once i bought the bike.. they said the light always comes on for a few seconds.. i havnt had any check engine lights once the bike is officially running.. ya i weigh 180-190ish. Thanks for the welcome i will update

i actually called it the wrong name.. "Superlow" is what i meant lol