Idle RPM higher than stable when first started, then goes back down?

farabeejunior · October 1st, 2014, 02:53 AM

I just had a little adventure with my bike. Took it to a nearby parking lot to practice. The idle RPM was somehow really low and it kept stalling almost immediately after starting. It was weird because I didn't have a problem pulling out of my garage and driving to the parking lot, during which I hit 2 stop lights. Didn't stall waiting at those lights either. The lot is only a mile away though.

Anyway, I needed to do something about it so I adjusted the fuel flow valve (some people call it the idle control valve) on the left side of the bike. I initially had it idle a little high, around 1700, so that I wouldn't stall the damn thing trying to do friction zone drills. Then before leaving, I dialed it down to around 1300.

When I came back home and pulled into the garage, I got a little curious. So I killed the engine and started back up again. The idle RPM initially shot up to upwards of 2000 but very soon settled back down to 1300-ish and stayed there. Is this initial surge a normal thing?

I did ride it yesterday as well but I didn't notice the low idle RPM issue. Then again, I was moving almost the entire time. It was a short trip down to the gas station and back.

broilmebk · October 1st, 2014, 10:53 AM

Are you using the choke at any point of this?

cadd · October 1st, 2014, 11:11 AM

Are you setting the idle while the bike is hot or cold? I normally set mine to 1300 when I pull into the driveway after a ride.

For me, I've noticed the idle speed changes with temperature. I initially set the idle in early March when I take the bikes out of winter storage. As time goes by (as temps increase), I have to adjust the idle to get it back to 1300.

farabeejunior · October 1st, 2014, 12:55 PM

No choke on the initial start. The guy I bought it from said it's been jetted and that I don't need to use the choke. I didn't have a problem coming out of my garage but that was pretty quick. I reset the idle after going around the parking lot for about an hour. So yes, I set it when the bike was warm. I'll be going out again tonight and I'm curious to see how it will idle when starting cold, without choke.

csmith12 · October 1st, 2014, 01:14 PM

Set idle when the engine is warm and choke as needed.

cadd · October 1st, 2014, 02:43 PM

For some strange reason, my bike doesn't need choke either....even in dead of winter! (well, it's in a garage that's 50 degrees). Bikes all stock. Stock needles, stock airbox with a slip on.

When I first start the bike in the morning, it does idle above 1500. But after 2 or 3 miles, it'll settle around 1300.

vmax · October 2nd, 2014, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farabeejunior

No choke on the initial start. The guy I bought it from said it's been jetted and that I don't need to use the choke. I didn't have a problem coming out of my garage but that was pretty quick. I reset the idle after going around the parking lot for about an hour. So yes, I set it when the bike was warm. I'll be going out again tonight and I'm curious to see how it will idle when starting cold, without choke.

Can you specified about jetting
1. Stock needles with shim or jetkit needles?
2. Or just changing pilot and idle mixture screw?

farabeejunior · October 2nd, 2014, 08:18 AM

Didn't get the details of the jetting from the guy. The exhaust is aftermarket (hmf) if that means anything.

October 1st, 2014, 02:53 AM	#1
farabeejunior ninjette.org member Name: Farabee Location: CA bay area Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250r 2008 Posts: 10	Idle RPM higher than stable when first started, then goes back down? I just had a little adventure with my bike. Took it to a nearby parking lot to practice. The idle RPM was somehow really low and it kept stalling almost immediately after starting. It was weird because I didn't have a problem pulling out of my garage and driving to the parking lot, during which I hit 2 stop lights. Didn't stall waiting at those lights either. The lot is only a mile away though. Anyway, I needed to do something about it so I adjusted the fuel flow valve (some people call it the idle control valve) on the left side of the bike. I initially had it idle a little high, around 1700, so that I wouldn't stall the damn thing trying to do friction zone drills. Then before leaving, I dialed it down to around 1300. When I came back home and pulled into the garage, I got a little curious. So I killed the engine and started back up again. The idle RPM initially shot up to upwards of 2000 but very soon settled back down to 1300-ish and stayed there. Is this initial surge a normal thing? I did ride it yesterday as well but I didn't notice the low idle RPM issue. Then again, I was moving almost the entire time. It was a short trip down to the gas station and back.

October 1st, 2014, 01:14 PM	#5
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Set idle when the engine is warm and choke as needed. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

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October 1st, 2014, 10:53 AM	#2
broilmebk ninjette.org sage Name: Brian Location: Orange County, CA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): '12 ninja 250r Posts: 762	Are you using the choke at any point of this?

October 1st, 2014, 11:11 AM	#3
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	Are you setting the idle while the bike is hot or cold? I normally set mine to 1300 when I pull into the driveway after a ride. For me, I've noticed the idle speed changes with temperature. I initially set the idle in early March when I take the bikes out of winter storage. As time goes by (as temps increase), I have to adjust the idle to get it back to 1300.

October 1st, 2014, 12:55 PM	#4
farabeejunior ninjette.org member Name: Farabee Location: CA bay area Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250r 2008 Posts: 10	No choke on the initial start. The guy I bought it from said it's been jetted and that I don't need to use the choke. I didn't have a problem coming out of my garage but that was pretty quick. I reset the idle after going around the parking lot for about an hour. So yes, I set it when the bike was warm. I'll be going out again tonight and I'm curious to see how it will idle when starting cold, without choke.

October 1st, 2014, 02:43 PM	#6
cadd cadd cadd cadd Name: Cadd Location: 41°21'13.1"N, 74°41'37.4"W Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: A lot. MOTM - May '15	For some strange reason, my bike doesn't need choke either....even in dead of winter! (well, it's in a garage that's 50 degrees). Bikes all stock. Stock needles, stock airbox with a slip on. When I first start the bike in the morning, it does idle above 1500. But after 2 or 3 miles, it'll settle around 1300.

October 2nd, 2014, 08:18 AM	#8
farabeejunior ninjette.org member Name: Farabee Location: CA bay area Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): ninja 250r 2008 Posts: 10	Didn't get the details of the jetting from the guy. The exhaust is aftermarket (hmf) if that means anything.