CB650R cold start - vibration and water coming from the exhaust

[irsidewinder]

This is my first post here after passively reading these forums for a while, so first off... hi everyone!

I've owned my CB650R for a few months now, although unfortunately I've had to stow her away for the winter before I could get much riding done.
I rolled the bike out yesterday to let condensation from under the tarp dry off and clear out some of the bugs and spiders that seem to love nesting in every nook and cranny of the bike.
Since I haven't started the bike in over a month, I figured I'd reinstall the battery and just let her run and warm up for 15 minutes or so.

The bike started on the second try, but seemed not to run overly smoothly. First thing I noticed was a ton of steam/white smoke from the exhaust (fairly sure it was steam since it seemed to dissipate quickly and didn't smell more than normal exhaust gasses).
The steam was accompanied by an audible hissing sound, a lot of water spraying from the exhaust and a pool of water forming under the bike.
After about a minute or two, the hissing went away and the steaming stopped. I let the bike warm up and gave her a quick half-rev to flush out the rest of the water from the exhaust, which as it turned out was still quite a lot.
I also noticed the handlebar vibrating a ton more than usual, more than I've ever felt this bike vibrate. That scared me a little.

Does anyone know where all that water could have originated? The bike is stored outside as I unfortunately don't have a garage, but it's under a thick outdoor tarp and there's no way rain water could have gotten directly in the exhaust. Condensation, maybe?
Also, is there perhaps an explanation for the excessive vibration? Never had a "real" winter-cold-start on this bike before, so I don't know whether this is to be expected and what might be causing it.


Thanks and happy holidays to all!

 

[Devilsfan]

Welcome to the forum!

Man, the way you explained it sounds like you have a water hose coming from the bike!

Dumb question first...before storing did you wash the bike and, perhaps, get a bunch of water in the exhaust can? I imagine a little water is going to collect but from what you described I'm not sure.

As for the vibrating, did the bike ever fall over while stored? Was the bike well warmed-up when you felt this? I know that a cold engine can chug a little so if the bike wasn't warmed up enough that could be it.

I'm sure others on the forum will have better diagnosis' but happy to have you on the forum!

 

[miweber929]

Severe condensation is my guess.

Ride it, get it real good and hot, my guess is it’ll go right back to normal.

 

[irsidewinder]

Welcome to the forum!

Man, the way you explained it sounds like you have a water hose coming from the bike!

Dumb question first...before storing did you wash the bike and, perhaps, get a bunch of water in the exhaust can? I imagine a little water is going to collect but from what you described I'm not sure.

As for the vibrating, did the bike ever fall over while stored? Was the bike well warmed-up when you felt this? I know that a cold engine can chug a little so if the bike wasn't warmed up enough that could be it.

I'm sure others on the forum will have better diagnosis' but happy to have you on the forum!

Thanks for the warm welcome! Yes, it was more water (and steam) than I've ever seen come from an exhaust of any type. I did wash the bike before putting it in storage, so I won't rule out that I may have gotten a bit too careless with the hose and flooded the exhaust. Although the more I think about it, the more I'm thinking condensation. It has been both extremely humid and cold here lately and I've regularly been drying tons of condensation off the bike, so I guess it makes sense for water to pool in places I can't get to with a towel.

Regarding the vibration, the bike has never fallen over or anything. I noticed the vibration immediately at idle. Once it warmed up a little, I gave the throttle a twist up to ~6k RPM to flush the rest of the water out, that's when I really felt it. This was after about 3-5 minutes at idle, so the bike may not have been fully warmed up though.

I wish I could just take her for a ride and see if it sorts itself out, unfortunately the weather here is just too bad for me to be comfortable doing that right now.
I guess I'll just make sure to let her warm up properly next time and see if the vibrations subside.

 

[beneweis]

welcome to the forum! I am sure it is just condensation and will sort itself out.

I do however highly recommend storing the bike in a warm(ish) and dry place over winter, it will show on the bike and also increase the resale value significantly.
I don't know where you're from but around here a spot in a shared garage is like 30-50 bucks per month and even my local honda dealer offers winter storage for 99ct per day. check ebay kleinanzeigen for example.

 

[irsidewinder]

welcome to the forum! I am sure it is just condensation and will sort itself out.

I do however highly recommend storing the bike in a warm(ish) and dry place over winter, it will show on the bike and also increase the resale value significantly.
I don't know where you're from but around here a spot in a shared garage is like 30-50 bucks per month and even my local honda dealer offers winter storage for 99ct per day. check ebay kleinanzeigen for example.

Currently working on that. I may have a spot in an underground parking garage, but I won't be able to use it until march. I'll see if I can find something in the interim, maybe my local Honda dealer has a similar offer...

 

[Maiden71]

It's normal. I worried about the same thing with my 650F. If it sat up a few days and it was cool outside not only would water come from the exhaust but also from underneath the bike. Took it to Honda. Totally normal.

 

[Wayne p]

You can get fuel additive which stabilise the petrol in the tank if you fill to the top

 

[irsidewinder]

You can get fuel additive which stabilise the petrol in the tank if you fill to the top

I did exactly that before putting the bike away. Made sure to cycle the stabilized fuel through the fuel system, too.

 

[Robbymag]

Check your dipstick for a whiteish sludge if it has it could be a cylinder head gasket. Check the engine coolant to see if you have lost any. Bit mad but dip your finger in the pool of water under the bike and if it is coolant it will taste nasty. if it has been stud have you started it then stopped it after a few minutes that is the biggest mistake as this will do more damage than good.

 

[Sunde]

As Robby said, generally running an engine without actually riding it is really eh for it, they are made to run under pressure not idle for long periods... Not like its going to break it, but i dont do it if i can ever avoid it.

 

[Brammers]

If you're going to let it idle, do so until the cooling fan kicks in... Then you know its up to temp.

J

 

[irsidewinder]

Thanks for the advice guys, I won't be idling it anymore until the weather gets better and I can actually go for a ride.

 

[miweber929]

I won't be idling it anymore until the weather gets better and I can actually go for a ride.

If that’s what you’ve been doing then yeah, you have a ton of condensation built up in the engine, exhaust and other crevices in the bike.

If you are looking to store it outdoors, get yourself a good, outdoor, breathable cover, they are out there and not that terribly expensive, and leave the bike sit until it’s time to ride in the spring. The absolute worst thing you can do is constantly play around with it, start it and let it idle, even letting the fans kick in is not enough to fully circulate the oil and burn off the moisture, then let it sit, and cover it again only to do it again and again.

Stabilize your fuel, fill the tank all the way up, pull your battery, cover it and let it sit until the weather is better, the bike will live a long and happy life for you.

 

[irsidewinder]

If that’s what you’ve been doing then yeah, you have a ton of condensation built up in the engine, exhaust and other crevices in the bike.

If you are looking to store it outdoors, get yourself a good, outdoor, breathable cover, they are out there and not that terribly expensive, and leave the bike sit until it’s time to ride in the spring. The absolute worst thing you can do is constantly play around with it, start it and let it idle, even letting the fans kick in is not enough to fully circulate the oil and burn off the moisture, then let it sit, and cover it again only to do it again and again.

Stabilize your fuel, fill the tank all the way up, pull your battery, cover it and let it sit until the weather is better, the bike will live a long and happy life for you.

At least I only started it up once since winterizing it, I hope that alone didn't do any lasting damage. I've got a good cover that breathes well, chain is waxed and my tank is full of stabilized fuel, fingers crossed this will be the only winter she spends outside.

 

[miweber929]

At least I only started it up once since winterizing it, I hope that alone didn't do any lasting damage.

You should be just fine, then, I wouldn’t give it a second thought.

 

[halfmt1]

Don't panic, once the weather is better you can ride it long enough to burn out the moisture, and it will be as good as new.

 

[mako]

As Robby said, generally running an engine without actually riding it is really eh for it, they are made to run under pressure not idle for long periods... Not like its going to break it, but i dont do it if i can ever avoid it.

Traffic conditions must be very favorable for you over there. Unavoidable over here for the most part during rush hour commutes.