2007 Rebel 250 engine misses in high cross wind

by Jodeane
(Pocatello, Idaho)

I have a 2007 Rebel that runs very well. There are 3600 miles on the odometer. However, when riding on a windy day, down a hill, light on the throttle, and I get a heavy crosswind from the right side, the engine falters and when the cross wind goes away the engine returns to normal running. My speeds are 35-40 mph and the head and crosswind may be 20-30 mph…added together up to 70 mph. I know the difference between this problem and just being pushed around on a windy day.

I’ve talked to our local Honda dealer and they told me to try re-routing the tubes that hang down under the engine. I looked and there are frames where Honda wants the tubes to be. So I haven’t changed them.

It feels like a choke or a vacuum cylinder problem. I use a small amount of Sea Foam in every gallon of gas, too. All the covers are factory, the tubes out the bottom are clean, and the air filter is clean, too. I never have needed to use the choke to start the engine.

My thought is this: A vacuum is created on the left side by the wind and somehow (through the intake filter, the vacuum cylinder in the carburetor is being affected or the choke is being closed by the high wind. I try to accelerate and the engine falters, and slows down until the cross wind subsides. It may be only seconds, but it’s annoying.

This happened only twice this summer and I know just when to expect it. I’ve had the bike up to 65 on a calm day with no problem. What am I missing.

Jodeane