October 4th, 2011, 12:55 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jay
Location: Champaign, IL
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Ninja ex250 Posts: 16
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bike wouldn't start this morning :(
06 ninja here - im new to motorcycles, only been riding for 2 months or so.
anyways, went to start my bike this morning, as i usually do. Put choke on, fire it up, then try to dial down the choke so it idles around 3k. (full choke it idles between 4-5k) It fired up fine, but stalled when i took the choke off too much. (this isnt unusual, usually i can just fire it right back up if i need to) But it wouldn't turn the engine over again. if i hit the starter, the dash lights would go out, it would "click" once, then after about 15seconds, the lights would come back on again. Im thinking i have a weak battery. I did a quick volt meter test, its at 12.4v. But i didn't test the amps in my haste this morning. I also got the idea maybe i could coast start it down my driveway. If my bikes in neutral, i can coast down the driveway ok, but if i put it into first, i couldnt push it fast enough to do anything. I figured if i tried too much more of this, id end up dropping it, and be worse off than i already was. So i stopped. I basically have 3 questions: 1) does it sound like a battery issue to you guys as well? 2) is it normal for the choke to be so sensitive? 1/8th of an inch is all the difference between idling at 4-5k and stalling out. (note this is while its cold. once warm it runs fine without choke.) 3) is there supposed to be that much friction while in 1st with the bike off and the clutch engaged? sucks that i am "wasting" a perfectly good day to ride today...not too many left in illinois this year. |
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October 4th, 2011, 06:09 PM | #2 |
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Name: Jay
Location: Champaign, IL
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After some more testing after work, does seem to be the battery. Volts go to 0 when I hit the starter.
Advanced can't get it here till friday, so looks like im on 4 wheels till then... |
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October 4th, 2011, 06:25 PM | #3 |
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It very well might be the battery, but also make sure that the battery cables are securely screwed on to the terminals. A loose cable can make it behave as you describe (starting once, working intermittently, etc.) To bump-start a bike, it's usually better to be in 2nd gear rather than 1st. You need to get the bike up to a decent running clip, and drop the clutch while in gear. The hard part with kawi's is the positive neutral finder won't let the transmission shift to 2nd unless the drivetrain is moving fast enough.
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October 4th, 2011, 11:50 PM | #4 |
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I'm not sure if it's the same with motorcycle batteries, but 12 volt car batteries usually put out closer to 13.6 volts. in which case 12.4 would be low. Like alex says, you want to bump start in second or else you're just going to drag the rear tire. You'll have to get it rolling to upshift though, as it won't do it while parked. (I learned this the hard way.)
Though, bumpstarting won't be the answer if the battery is dead. It's not like a car that can run without a battery. These bikes need to have a charged battery to run correctly at all, not just for starting.
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October 5th, 2011, 03:05 AM | #5 |
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How so? It's pretty much just like a car in this respect, and even a bit better as there isn't an electric fuel pump on our carbed versions. If the battery is completely and utterly dead, there might be issues getting the bike going. But it can be mostly dead, have nowhere near enough energy to start the motor, but the motor will run fine for years and years once bumpstarted.
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October 5th, 2011, 04:54 AM | #6 | ||
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From the other site, on the subject of bump starting -
Quote:
Quote:
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October 5th, 2011, 05:50 AM | #7 |
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Mine did exactly what you're describing a few weeks ago. Turned out to be that one of the battery cables were loose like Alex said.
Everything appeared fine until i hit the starter and it just clicked once and went to nothing. Tightened the cable up and she worked like a charm. Good luck. |
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October 5th, 2011, 09:46 AM | #8 |
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I think it's a matter of weak vs. dead. Completely dead, perhaps may be issues. But I've ridden home with people with batteries in awful condition, not enough to start the bike, yet running is just fine. Some of them continued to bumpstart the bike for weeks.
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October 5th, 2011, 09:46 AM | #9 |
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Name: Jay
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I did check the cables, wiggled, loosened and tightened again.
I think the telling thing was when i hit the starter, the batt volts went to 0 on the voltmeter. If i read correctly in another forum, the batt should still hold 10volts or so, even while starting. But we shall see on friday, when advanced gets the battery. |
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October 13th, 2011, 07:16 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
You have a weak battery. The headlight should come on after a starting attempt. You can judge a lot by the intensity of the light. It could also be the bike's charging circuit, but unlikely. I suggest you examine all your fuses to make sure they are OK. Bad things can happen if you try to jump it from a running car. Its perfectly OK to jump it with another 12V battery or car battery as long as the car isn't running. Lastly, I suggest you order a Yuasa battery online and use that. They are far better than anything Advanced sells. With the Advanced battery, figure on needing a new one in about a year or less.
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October 13th, 2011, 08:19 PM | #11 |
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FWIW, though not fuel injected the bike does have electronic ignition. The CDI module likely will need at least 8-9 volts to be able to trigger the coils, and even then with that low voltage the coil spark voltage will be relatively low. Also, if the battery is shorted inside the extra load on the alternator may cause problems as well.
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October 25th, 2011, 10:36 AM | #12 |
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Name: oniz
Location: north carolina
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so jay did you solve the issue yet?
i just solved mine where the battery terminals werent screwed on tight enough. also, about six months ago, the stock battery needed to be replaced cause it wasnt holding charge anymore. it was the same symptoms as you describe here.
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October 25th, 2011, 11:18 AM | #13 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jay
Location: Champaign, IL
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yes. i went ahead and replaced the battery. starts up great now.
idle is a bit screwy untill warmed up, not sure how to describe it |
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October 25th, 2011, 11:25 AM | #15 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jay
Location: Champaign, IL
Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 Ninja ex250 Posts: 16
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