Loss of power on highway (all the power)

aldenso · April 24th, 2011, 04:13 PM

I was riding to my cottage, about a 200 km long ride, riding at an average of 140km/h at 10.5 rpm, and around 170ish my bike, without warning, lost power. I pulled in the clutch and pulled over, and the engine idled, but at about half the regular idle speed (so about 700rpm). I shut the bike off for a second and started it again and it still idled at 700 and I tried to gas it and it just died, I then started it again and I choked it and it went back to normal. I shut if off for a few minutes, and then continued my ride.

I was low on fuel, like almost below empty (but I still make it the last 30kms once the bike started up and ran normal). I believe I was going downhill (but if I was it wasn't very steep. I may be making this up in my head because I remember reading another post about pointing downhill and gas). When it idled at half the rpm it wasn't sputtering.

At the time it had about 800 kms on it, and now it has 1070, and I'm going to take it in for the 1000 km service.

I rode it all the way home with no issues, but averaged 120 km/h.

What do you think was wrong with it?

"A" · April 24th, 2011, 04:19 PM

Did you re-fuel after the "engine dying" incident?

aldenso · April 24th, 2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "A"

Did you re-fuel after the "engine dying" incident?

I did not. I rode the last 30k with what was left in the tank.

DaBlue1 · April 24th, 2011, 04:41 PM

I had that happen once. The performance of the bike went down when the tank got really close to empty. I haven't let that happen again. The lowest it gets now is 1/4 tank.

"A" · April 24th, 2011, 04:47 PM

Any residue in tank to clog up the fuel line?

TnNinjaGirl · April 24th, 2011, 05:04 PM

I had that exact problem. I took the carbs apart and found a gnat jamming one of the needles.

First refuel, then look for obstructions in your carbies. Good luck!

setasai · April 24th, 2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

I had that happen once. The performance of the bike went down when the tank got really close to empty. I haven't let that happen again. The lowest it gets now is 1/4 tank.

Yea me too. When it gets to the point of running on fumes, I was on the freeway and I would pretty much WOT and still barely make 80mph. Had to be careful and just barely made it to the gas station. I'm sure I could have gone another 20miles max but still was a little unnerving knowing it's got no maneuvering power.

LoneRonin · April 25th, 2011, 01:28 PM

Was it you I saw on the QEW yestersday with the backpack, AGV helmet and Icon jacket?? I just noticed you're from Burlington and that rider had a Burlington Cycle frame around his plate and exact same bike as you. I was also on a red 250r.

aldenso · April 25th, 2011, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneRonin

Was it you I saw on the QEW yestersday with the backpack, AGV helmet and Icon jacket?? I just noticed you're from Burlington and that rider had a Burlington Cycle frame around his plate and exact same bike as you. I was also on a red 250r.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I posted for you in the ninjette spotted thread!

I thought I'd never find you again. I'm on Guelph line. After you left at walkers I thought about following you and talking to you, but realized I should have after I didn't.

And thanks everyone for your input. I will check my carb out (as there were lots of bugs on the ride up), and watch out for the low fuel issue.

CZroe · May 7th, 2011, 10:11 PM

Guys... we've talked about this problem many times. It's caused by the tank forming a vacuum. The more empty it is, the more readily it forms when the temperature changes (gasses expand/contract more readily than liquids). You open the tank and you can continue on just fine.

It's happened to me MANY times in 22,000 miles. All but two times were after stopping for 10-20 minutes before resuming a ride (bike is still warm but tank has cooled) and having the stall happen a few blocks later. The other two times were due to external conditions causing a sudden temperature change (like rain). Now that I am aware of it, I pop my fuel door open and closed before I ride off again on an already warmed-up bike. Seems to work fine.

I thought I needed gas a few of the times and even ended up pushing it in the rain once but it turns out that opening to fuel up is really what did the trick.

Alex · May 7th, 2011, 10:27 PM

/moved to new-gen tech

April 24th, 2011, 04:13 PM	#1
aldenso ninjette.org member Name: Alex Location: Burlington, Ontario Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): Red 2010 250r Posts: 41	Loss of power on highway (all the power) I was riding to my cottage, about a 200 km long ride, riding at an average of 140km/h at 10.5 rpm, and around 170ish my bike, without warning, lost power. I pulled in the clutch and pulled over, and the engine idled, but at about half the regular idle speed (so about 700rpm). I shut the bike off for a second and started it again and it still idled at 700 and I tried to gas it and it just died, I then started it again and I choked it and it went back to normal. I shut if off for a few minutes, and then continued my ride. I was low on fuel, like almost below empty (but I still make it the last 30kms once the bike started up and ran normal). I believe I was going downhill (but if I was it wasn't very steep. I may be making this up in my head because I remember reading another post about pointing downhill and gas). When it idled at half the rpm it wasn't sputtering. At the time it had about 800 kms on it, and now it has 1070, and I'm going to take it in for the 1000 km service. I rode it all the way home with no issues, but averaged 120 km/h. What do you think was wrong with it?

May 7th, 2011, 10:11 PM	#10
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	Guys... we've talked about this problem many times. It's caused by the tank forming a vacuum. The more empty it is, the more readily it forms when the temperature changes (gasses expand/contract more readily than liquids). You open the tank and you can continue on just fine. It's happened to me MANY times in 22,000 miles. All but two times were after stopping for 10-20 minutes before resuming a ride (bike is still warm but tank has cooled) and having the stall happen a few blocks later. The other two times were due to external conditions causing a sudden temperature change (like rain). Now that I am aware of it, I pop my fuel door open and closed before I ride off again on an already warmed-up bike. Seems to work fine. I thought I needed gas a few of the times and even ended up pushing it in the rain once but it turns out that opening to fuel up is really what did the trick. Last futzed with by CZroe; May 11th, 2011 at 07:30 AM.

May 7th, 2011, 10:27 PM	#11
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	/moved to new-gen tech __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

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April 24th, 2011, 04:19 PM	#2
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	Did you re-fuel after the "engine dying" incident?

April 24th, 2011, 04:41 PM	#4
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	I had that happen once. The performance of the bike went down when the tank got really close to empty. I haven't let that happen again. The lowest it gets now is 1/4 tank.

April 24th, 2011, 04:47 PM	#5
"A" vampire Name: A Location: IT Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2 many 2 list Posts: A lot.	Any residue in tank to clog up the fuel line?

April 24th, 2011, 05:04 PM	#6
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	I had that exact problem. I took the carbs apart and found a gnat jamming one of the needles. First refuel, then look for obstructions in your carbies. Good luck!

April 25th, 2011, 01:28 PM	#8
LoneRonin ninjette.org sage Name: Jason Location: Mississauga Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 634	Was it you I saw on the QEW yestersday with the backpack, AGV helmet and Icon jacket?? I just noticed you're from Burlington and that rider had a Burlington Cycle frame around his plate and exact same bike as you. I was also on a red 250r.