So I lifted the tank and checked for any trapped hoses etc., I thought I had found the problem with a kinked and slit breather hose so replaced the section and took it out for a test, no difference. I will have to move on to the plugs and fuel pump next.
Just wanted to chime in with another vote for fuel pump clogged. Had exactly same symptoms on my 06 a few months ago, went through a whole list of items including replacing spark plugs with no success. Swapping fuel pump for another fixed it. The strainer was a bit dirty but not shocking, I wonder if the pressure regulator in the pump had failed.... The fuel pump step was by far the easiest vs spark plugs, would suggest starting there first and if no joy go on to spark plugs. The cost of our spark plugs might surprise you too (it surprised me )
Absolutely agree fuel pump works or doesn't in most cases. Far more likely to be the regulator or filter.
So, eventually got round to having a look at the fuel pump, took the tank off and cleaned it, removed the fuel pump as per the vid below, I bought a new filter but could not work out how the original one comes off! it would pull down but there wasn't enough space for it to lower enough to remove and it was hitting the bottom of the housing, presumably the pump somehow can be raised up? someone had already been in there as the zip tie used on the bigger filter wasn't factory and the filter didn't look to bad. I cleaned the filters pump etc. With a whole can of carb cleaner and put it back together, the bike started straight up so off for a test ride, exactly the same no difference unfortunately! Now when I watched the below video the lad removes a breather tube from what looks like a part of the casing, See the still at 3.06, my tube was just dangling and not attaches to anything, is this normal on a UK bike? if not could that be part of the problem? Anyway, I bought a set of plugs but don't know if I have the skills and tools to replace them, how much of a job is it? I'm tempted to ask how much a bike shop will charge to do the job if it's a big hassle.
Plugs are more of a pain in the arse than a big job. It's just a case of how much you have to remove to get to them i.e. nose fairing, tank, air box etc.
If your pump is the same model in the clip, the video only shows half the job. Once the orange gauze is removed there is a further smaller finer filter as it enters the pump. This is the yellowish bag attached to the greenish pipe in the video. The area where he’s flooding with cleaner. The large black plastic part also houses a filter but is totally sealed. Unserviceable. I think to get to the smaller filter you have to disconnect the two vertical bracing arms and then pull the whole thing upward. Make sure all the cables are disconnected and it’s not going to come apart easily. You’ll have to give it a yank, The orange gauze would obviously stop large pieces but it’s the smaller on that stops the finer particles. If you’re concerned about the filter, you should try to get to this point. There’s nothing you can do if the black part is blocked but it’s step further and could show what could potentially be further down the line. The pipe you described as hanging will probably have its remaining part hanging down towards your side stand. This often becomes disconnected when the tank is raised but is a simple push back into the connector job. Best of luck with your issue mate.
*Update* After speaking to a local bike shop regarding a plug change they advised it did not sound like the plugs were causing the problem, and because it looked like someone had been into the fuel pump previously they suspect that was the cause, so I bought a low milage pump from eBay and fitted it, took the bike out for a test ride and it now will rev freely through the whole rev range. on the attached pic the old pump is on the left and I noticed a red connector which isn't on the "new one" I think this pump has been faulty for some time and someone has been trying to sort it out without success's. Having never owned or ridden a superbike before I did not realize how fast they are FOOK ME!! I felt like I was going to take off
Really? Did they not already try that? Despite your claim earlier, you were and are wrong, fuel pumps are more than you thought. I can’t claim more derailed tech info, but it seems they do go wrong, perhaps you have not enough miles to have had the issue?
Yeah only 47k you must be right! My thinking was filter or regulator possibly due to lack of use fuel going off. But it's just thoughts try to help and save some money.
