2009 Bandit - oil light then lost power then seems ok ?

[Guest]

Hi All

Firstly new to motorbikes - maybe 4-5months so a newbie i guess. Riding a 2009 March Bandit GSF 650. Had no problems with it until today. Riding to the station when a couple of minutes into the journey i seem to be loosing power ( only doing 40 mph so taking it easy anyway) I let the bike loose power before pulling over.

No bad smell but the oil light was on. I turned the engine off and checked the Oil indicator panel - looks ok. Checked the coolant which was on the low side but should be ok - nothing seemed wrong or empty. By this time about 5-10 minutes had passed and i started then engine back up. I noticed white smoke come out the the exhaust which then returned to normal - no oil lights and everything seemed ok. I completed my journey without issue ( about 4 miles(ish) taking it easy).

Any ideas??

Cheers

Edited March 22, 2010 by Anonymous

[DeeJ]

Symptons point to headgasket failure.

[Guest]

That doesn't sound good! Do i need to take the bike in straight away or can it be ridden on until the weekend?

[DeeJ]

That doesn't sound good! Do i need to take the bike in straight away or can it be ridden on until the weekend?

 

It should still be under warranty right, if so get it in ASAP.

Get the water topped up and only ride it if necessary as you could warp the head or do more damage if the engine overheats

[Guest]

Thanks DeeJ.

This relegates me to the 125 Moped in the garage parked up next to the 650

[Guest]

as its an 09, then definately take it back to the dealer, why should you get your hands diurty when its covered by warranty...

[DeeJ]

Thanks DeeJ.

This relegates me to the 125 Moped in the garage parked up next to the 650

 

Just think yourself lucky that its not your only form of transport and you have got a backup

[Guest]

for those interested.. i got to the bottom of this.

Basically the previous owner used to keep a torch under the seat. one of the batteries escaped at some point and had found it's way down to the tilt cut-off switch. On rare occaisons the battery would trigger the cut off.

one removed battery and a severly scratched head - problem now resolved.

thanks for the suggestions all

Andy

Edited May 30, 2010 by Anonymous

[starkey]

thats defiantly unusual!! Glad you got it sorted

[Guest]

Strange, but well done for finding it!!!

[j4ff]

had to read that a couple of times.I'm thinking the previous owner kept a touch of what under the seat? Ahh a torch

Tis a strange one tho.This caused white smoke out the exhaust aswell?I kind of get the power loss and dash lights if the engine is cut off

[Guest]

Now thats an odd one

Bet that did have ya scratching ya head !!