2003 has carbs. More than likely the pipes were put on and the carbs were never rejetted. The new pipes are flowing more air but the fuel mix never went up so you're running lean and not getting proper efficient burn of your gas.

Rejet kits are usually about $100 and another $100 or so for someone qualified to put them in. Don't know if it would be covered under warranty, but I'd definitely ask since you bought the bike that way. The shop may value good customer service over an hour or so of technician time.

 

Will-T. Thanks for the reply. As far as I know this bike does have Fuel Injection. The dealer told me that it did, and it has a FI label on the odometer. Funny, that it has a choke, but I'm told it is only to increase the RPM when it's cold, and not a 'real' choke. On the other side of the bike is a idle control knob.

I will contact the dealer today and see if they will rejet (or what ever they do for the FI).

 

Look at that, I guess all the 1600's are FI. Must have been thinking about my old 2003 Suzuki. Anyway, that's probably why it wasn't done then. FI requires a change to the fuel map, the easiest way to do this is with something like a Power Commander. Added cost over a rejet but way more flexible and allows for all kinds of tuning as you alter things around the engine.

Drawback, $335 MSRP.

 

I just called a dealership and spoke with the Service Manager. He claims that the bike has some minor backfiring already. With fuel injection, the computer re-programs itself. Hmmm, ok. He claims that the backfiring is nothing to be concerned with, unless I want more speed out of it, I could put the Power Commander on it.

He asked if the baffles had been taken out of the current pipes, allowing more air to get through. Honestly, I don't know.

 

Hi sarge, the 1600 has an O2 (exhaust)sensor that will send data back to the ECU that re-programs it. (stealership is right) Depending on the back pressure ( stock pipes or aftermarket ) the sensor will relay info to re-adjust the signals to the injectors. All the stock Kawi big twins will pop on deceleration, you just can't hear them with stock pipes. Try disabling the vacuum valve. http://www.gadgetjq.com/smogstuffremove.htm It's part of the Clean Air System and makes the exhaust run hotter. Cheaper then a Power Commander. If you change your Intake then go with the Fuel Processor.

 

Hopefully this will be helpful. I have an 07 purchased used. It has The Cobra speedster longs also with a Cobra fi2000 tuner. I get an occaisional very slight pop on decelleration. The fi2000 will eventually be replaced with the power commander as all I've been able to research says the fi2000 is crap.

Anyway all manufacturers of aftermarket freeflowing pipes recommend rejetting for carbed bikes or fuel management for fi bikes. The cobra pipes (or any other brand) give less back pressure letting more air through the engine causing the stock system to run lean. Most if not all stock bikes run lean to a certain extent anyway. So when the Cobras were added it causes the engine to run leaner still.

I've never heard of any engine management system, motorcycle or cage, with the ability to reprogram itself. The best it can do is make small adjustments for conditions in the stock equipment it was programmed for. I have heard the stock chip can be reflashed to account for the pipes, but my recommendation would be the PC because if you make added modifications in the future you can download and install the map for the change.

Check out www.cruisercustomizing.com. They sell the power commander and the fi2000. They are a little slow to ship but have the best prices I've found. They sell the power commander for $284 I think. It can be installed and mapped by the consumer or you can have it installed and dyno tuned although I have no idea the cost of that. Power commander has a web site listing dealers with the set up to do the dyno tune.

Hope you find this helpful and ride safe!!!!!

 

I too have a 2003 1600 FI. i bought it used with V&H pipes, hypercharger ( now a BAK) and a powercommander. It backfired a few times. then I started usimg 93 octane fuel instead of 89 and it hasn't happened since.Hope that helps.
That "choke" is only a fast-idle. It does nothing to richen it. Only raises the idle speed.

 

I've got V&H Long Shots (love the sound!) and everything is mapped for the Vulcan 1600 and pipes.

I notice backfiring on decel two different times:
1) Riding through the mountain passes when the altitude changes quickly (this is on the downhill) and not often. It clears up after I'm through a rapid downhill descent. Is yours happening only on downhill altitude changes?
2) When I'm cross-country and buy gas other than Chevron. Out of the way gas stations sometimes have different mixtures? Water in fuel? Sometimes it can cause a problem for that tank full of gas, but again only in the hills.

I always follow MFG suggestion and Fuel Commander suggestion for the octane of fuel also. You've probably already checked octane, but just in case?

While it bothers me at the time it's popping, it always goes away and it's always while desending mountains, so I just let it go. If it were happening more often, I'd check it out further.

Ride Safe ~

 

MissVulcan1600,

Thanks for the information. I usually go to QuikTrip for my fuel, and purchase the 91 Octane. I figure if they guarantee it, I may get a new engine, if it had problems. Usually my backfiring is when I decelerate when shifting from 2nd->3rd, and 3rd->4th, and sometimes just when decelerating. I can't really say it happens in the high/low altitude. Kansas - flat.