Are these things normal?

[cswett]

I've had my 1150R since April and it's the biggest bike I've owned. While it seems to be running fine, (has only 4,500 miles) today I noticed that it didn't seem to have as much pep when I accelerate away from lights, try to pass, etc. It's very subtle, but am wondering if it's not running as well or just that I'm now more accustomed to its power and thus am not as impressed with the performance as I used to be. If it really was mechanically ailing, would there have to be symptoms other than not feeling the thrill of high performance?
In the last week or two I also have noticed slightly more engine noise, tappet-kind of sounds. Had TB sync about 2,000 miles ago, but valves haven't been done since the 600 mile service by the previous owner about 4 years ago. Any chance that's related to my perception of slightly less performance.
In a related question, I was on the freeway this evening, cruising in 6th gear, about 73 mph and 3,900 rpm. When I opened the throttle to pass a car, I could hear/sense a very brief metallic clattering that reminded me of lugging before it really started to accelerate. I expected the bike would pull strongly at just shy of 4,000 rpm and I shouldn't have to downshift. Any thoughts?
Thanks for your input.

[sweatmark]

In a related question, I was on the freeway this evening, cruising in 6th gear, about 73 mph and 3,900 rpm. When I opened the throttle to pass a car, I could hear/sense a very brief metallic clattering that reminded me of lugging before it really started to accelerate.

Sounds like engine knock, possibly due to high temps and/or poor gas (low octane). Fill the bike with good quality, name-brand premium gas and evaluate performance. If the bike still feels sluggish, then we'll jump into potential problem-solving.

[iowabeakster]

Sweatmark stole my answer about the gas...

I would just add...sometimes premium gas sucks too. I just recently rode to Virginia and back. I must have filled up at least 9 times (200 miles per tank) in 5 days. I always filled with premium gas due to warm temperatures. One of those fill-ups, the gas sucked. Performance was sluggish and had poor mileage. Premium gas is the slowest seller at the gas stations and therfore it can be older and have greater water content.

[cswett]

I always run Union 76 or Chevron 91 octane from buys stations. It was hot, though, about 95 degrees, if that makes any difference. I'll be be off the bike for about a week while I'm traveling,. Maybe when I get back on, I'll be re-dazzled by the performance.

[wncbmw]

Putting some gas treatment in the tank will help if water is an issue. Many of us use Sea Foam, available at the auto parts store. I use 1/2 a can every month or so, regardless of how the bike is running. Worth a try.

[Arbee]

All of the previous replies have indicated fuel as the culprit,
to which i heartily agree, someone's been watering down the good stuff.

[Seamripper]

I also agree with the fuel statement. I noticed lots of pinging from some fuels. I have run Sunoco 94 octane which helped (but I hear it has ethanol in it). Shell V-power 91 octane has no ethanol (so they say on the pump) and I have been running that now with success. However, this doesn't help if the gas station is the culprit as Arbee has stated (watered down fuel.. etc.)

One other thing to mention is that I find after riding the bike hard (lots of WOT at high revs) the bike smoothens out. I have read that this is due to the engine cleaning itself out (Similar to Sea Foam). The cylinders tend to easily build up carbon if you ride around town lots and keep the revs down. This will sometimes cause pinging. These bikes seem to love being run really hard every so often. They also seems to like the higher revs.

[cswett]

Interesting - I rarely take it over 5,000 rpm and never keep it there.
Just seems when you run at high revs, you will wear the engine abnormally fast.
True or false?

[iowabeakster]

I think you are correct in not "keeping it there" at a steady 5K. I wouldn't keep it revved up in first or second gear for very long. But, the problem isn't so much about engine wear... it's about heat. In particular, heat right in the cylinder heads. When cruising a steady speed...do what feels best (you seem reasonable). In the higher gears, higher RPM's aren't much of a problem because the higher speed keeps everything cooler.

On the other hand, when accelerating, I think you should probably exceed 5K regularly (6K and 7K are fine too for brief instances as you work through the gears). If you are riding a twisty road...don't be afraid of keeping it in a lower gear and revving it, it won't hurt it. As long as the high RPM's are not constant and sustained, you are not hurting it at all. I wouldn't worry much about engine wear...you've got probably 100,000 miles to go before that might begin to be an issue.

Keeping the motor from revving up will cause many undesirable issues too. One problem likely from "under-revving" is carbon build-up. This could prevent oil flowing properly around the rings (eventually leading to engine wear). Pinging is another issue, and likely the issue you first posted about. Lugging the motor is maybe the worst thing you could do to the motor, avoid that like the plague.

With only 4,500 miles, your bike is maybe a third of the way of being broken in. For the next 10K miles at least, I would make a conscious effort to make the bike accelerate briskly (watch those speed limits! ) through the whole power band (All of it!). Use the whole range, on a regular basis. You'll know when the bike is broken in when it stops drinking oil.

[Armo]

I ride at relatively lower RPM's 2-3k when I'm cruising. Are there any noticeable indications there may be a carbon buildup? grogginess when acceling or noises?

Can you use one of those fuel additives to clear it out?

[Buckster]

You can use an addititive every other tank full. But I would get that bike up around 4-6k in the rpm range and have a little fun every once in a while. You can cruise around , just sometimes stay 1 gear lower than you normally would and feel the torque of your boxer twin!

[AirForceDirt]

I ride at relatively lower RPM's 2-3k when I'm cruising. Are there any noticeable indications there may be a carbon buildup? grogginess when acceling or noises?

Can you use one of those fuel additives to clear it out?

Let the engine spin some more and you should notice a marked improvment in performance. Sure, the twin has a lot of power down low, but that doesn't mean its afraid to spin. Don't let it sit under 3k for any lengthy period of time if you can avoid it.