Motorcycle Forum / General / Yamaha / June 2008

Even if my bike is just sitting, and I rev it up, I can hear the popping
(and little backfires) as the engine idles back down again.

I don't remember it being this bad, even a few weeks back.   In fact,
now when I ride through town, I'm continually holding the clutch and
using the brake, (as opposed to letting the engine slow me down), as
even shifting down at low speed, I find the exhaust reminds me of an old
mufflerless truck with a bad plug.  It is actually quite loud-- all this
snapping and popping (embarrasing).

I had read on the internet that this is common with V-Stars, and the
major cause is from air leaking into the exaust system around the pipe
gaskets.  ...I tried the "incense" smoke thing while the engine was
idling (to see if it was sucked in around the joints), but this didn't
work out that great.  ...Another remedy comes from the idea that the
factory carb is set too lean, so they suggest turning the screw 1/2 turn
to make the mixture a little richer.  Personally, I don't like messing
with the carb settings, as I usually end up getting everything out of
wack then.    ..Thanks for your reply.  ...Jon