Sluggish pull-away from standstill. Any ideas?

98 Aprilia Leonardo 125 discussion forum:


Sluggish pull-away from standstill. Any ideas?

Sluggish pull-away from standstill. Any ideas? 
Bigster said 2005-01-26 19:56 
 
Hi everyone - my name´s Robin, and having just sold my BMW K1100RS I´m on a 96 Aprilia Leonardo 125 - OK, I wouldn´t ride 600 miles on it, but for my commute I think it´s *faster* than the beemer!

I´d appreciate any comments or observations on the following. My Leonardo was standing for a year before I bought it. When I got it it had 13000K on the clock and was badly in need of a service. Biggest problem for me was the absolutely *painful* pick-up from standstill. From 0-5mph it´s horrible - the revs just refuse to rise and the bike crawls away. But hit about 5mph and all hell lets loose(!) and it pulls cleanly to 65mph! I cannot fault the bike´s performance in any way, except for this one strange pull-away behaviour, which is frankly scary in city traffic.

I got the bike serviced and it´s better in every way, but the pull-away characteristics are just the same. The mechanic who did the work said ´they´re all like that´ and waffled something about clutch springs. But I cannot see that he´s right - the throttle response of the bike is fast and clean throughout the rest of the range, but from standstill you´d think it was in 3rd gear on a manual box (if you see what I mean). Hill starts are a joke. And I daren´t even try it with a pillion.

To me it feels like there´s a fuel supply/carburettor problem of some kind - the revs just refuse to rise, and then suddenly - bam! It´s away. And even when the engine´s idling as you´re slowing down the pull-away is still good. It´s just the standstill thing.

It´s driving me crazy. Any thoughts?

Thanks - Robin
 
 
<<Previous          Answer          Discussion overview          Report spam          Next>>

Comments, questions and answersEnter a comment or answer to this message

You can post your question, answer or comment as a guest. Or enter your e-mail to join the forum and get notifcations of new messages.

 
Title
 
Signature
Optional e-mail
Enter your e-mail to join the forum and get notification of answers and new messages. You can unsubscribe with a single click. Bikez does not display, sell or misuse e-mail addresses.
Message text

Describe technical issues in detail to get quality answers. You can offer or request second-hand parts and equipment as a privat person. Bikez reserves the right to remove any improper or commercial content.
Accept that we store and display the message.  

 

More 1998 Aprilia Leonardo 125 information

Our discussion forums are intended for short messages. We also welcome more extensive motorcycle reviews.

Bikez also recommends that you check out the technical data and the riders' rating for the 98 Aprilia Leonardo 125. You can also rate it yourself. Use our efficient motorcycle classifieds to sell or buy this bike. Your motorbike gets a high quality presentation. Ads are free.