Twice now my 09/ 800EFI Sportsman has suddenly stalled. When attempting to restart,it acted as though it had a "vapor lock", it would start and then stall as though it was out of gas.I removed the gas cap...no help.After five or ten min, it did start and ran fine. I was not riding hard and I had 3/4 tank of gas each time.
The local "parts changer" dealer had no answer...maybe someone else has has this issue, or has a suggestion. I thought this was odd since the bike runs great with no other issues.
Murray

 

Welcome to the forum! When you turn the key on do you hear the fuel pump prime up? If so then I would check the tank vent line,could be partially pinched from the tank to where it goes into the headlight pod area causing a "vapor lock" condition,getting enough air for awhile then dies,then has to build back up.If you have access to a fuel pressure gauge make sure its at 39 psi,if less then it could be a weak fuel pump going out.Also check out the "sticky post" in this section on T-bap harness problems,could be another cause if not the pump or a vent problem! OPT

 

Great advice, its fantastic to hear from someone who can put together a logical,systematic approach to described symptoms. It gives someplace to start, and hopefully solve. The fuel tank was at over half full both times it stalled. The cooling suggestion makes sense, but the loss of pressure to the fuel pump sounds right on, I will put a pressure guage on it and check all the vent lines and let you know. Thanks alot. Murray

 

in addition to what opt mentioned above-
This will sound strange but- do you have anything hanging off your key?

I (and many others) had a problem with my sp800 suddenly stalling while out on a trail- stalled for no reason at least half dozen times while riding. it would always start back up no problem.
after a few weeks of scratching my head, someone at ATVC told me if I have anything hanging off my atv key it would stall the bike-

well sure enough, I removed the bottle opener that was on the key and the bike never stalled again.

sounds stupid, and i can't imagine why it should matter- but it worked.

all i can figure is the opener would bounce around and move the key just enough to cut the ignition- but without actually fully turning the key off...

 

I had the same thing beergut described. The key seemed to turn just slightly when I turned the handlebars or the keys bounced around.

 

welcome to the forum and yes we have some great people onhere to help. when the bike does shut off are you hearing(as opt menetioned) the fuel pump cycle when you turn the key on(not starting, first click) so it primes the system? if not then it might be fuel pump related.

 

Also take a look at your throttle cable. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...wZlOMw&cad=rja