Help! Bike won't go anywhere!!

[Danger13Fox]

Hey all, first off im pretty new to riding, only been going at it about 6 months and am not really up to speed on the mechanics portion yet. Now, to the issue. Last night after a long hard ride, i pulled off into a parking lot near my house. When i jumped on to go again, the bike didn't go anywhere! It shifts just fine, and will idle just fine, it will roll by itself in first gear, but with a little throttle does nothing. with a lot of throttle, does nothing. I am really confused. I will try to upload a video here shortly so you can see exactly what is going on. BTW this is on my 2009 ninja 250, about 3400 miles on it and have no issues before.

[Danger13Fox]

Link to original page on YouTube.

this is the youtube link to the video, couldnt figure out how to embed it into the response.

[MrAtom]

That is so weird. I'm actually really interested in seeing what the problem is.

[Danger13Fox]

ya... i would really like to know, seeing as i cant go anywhere and was planning a ride to the tail of the dragon....

[snot]

Sounds like the clutch is bad.

Was there any issues before?
You could change the oil and look for debris, if the is some it could be a sign.

[Danger13Fox]

no issues before, she used to run like a champ, i am about to change the oil so ill post back if anything has changed or not. now, when i purchased the motorcycle from the dealership i got the GTPP extended warranty will that cover it if there is a clutch issue?

[snot]

Not sure, read all the fine print. But, I would think it would.

[M42]

Well, the throttle's revving up, so it's not that... something is amiss in the transmission probably.

[Asspire]

clutch ain't working right. Start with checking the cable at the lever and go down to the linkage on the case cover. If it checks out, some thing internal got FUBARED.

[cuong-nutz]

What up! 13F, 13B here!

Do what Asspire said, check the cable and linkage first. it sounds like either your clutch pack is warn or the clutch isn't engaging fully and it's slipping A LOT.

[M42]

Actually, that reminds me - my bike did that when I pulled the clutch adjuster (on the handlebar) almost all the way out.

[Danger13Fox]

Just did oil change nothing funky came out. I did notice that the clutch lever feels like it has to go out all the way for it to engage so I'll check that now.

[M42]

Yeah, sounds like the adjuster then. The farther you pull it out, the farther the bite point is. Screw it in a few mm.

[Danger13Fox]

OK just adjusted the clutch lever feels like it engages sooner. However, it feels like the plates are sticking somewhat. The bike does die now when I just let go of the clutch so that's an improve. But I'm still having the same issue of getting any response out of the bike. Out of the gate getting going again from the first clutch release feels good then it quickly goes down hill and I get nothing. I can get into second gear and then rock back on the throttle and nothing comes.

[Danger13Fox]

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

What up! 13F, 13B here.

Shout out!

[cuong-nutz]

Go to the clutch cover and look at clutch shifter rod that the clutch cable connects too. You should be able move the rod a little back and forth which means the clutch packs are fully engaged. If it doesn't move and you notice that your cable line is taught which means that the outer cable housing adjuster is too tight. Loosen the locknut at the clutch cover housing some to release the tension so the clutch pack can engage. You might have to adjust the adjuster out at the clutch lever for it to give you some wiggle room.

[Danger13Fox]

ok since i'm totally bike mechanic illiterate ill just say what i did then you can maybe bring to latence terms for me. I adjusted the locknut up by the handle bar, and made it shorter (brought the cable closer to the clutch lever) and that seemed to give the clutch more life. Are you talking about adjusting the clutch cable down by the motor where the oil goes in?

[cuong-nutz]

Originally Posted by Danger13Fox

ok since i'm totally bike mechanic illiterate ill just say what i did then you can maybe bring to latence terms for me. I adjusted the locknut up by the handle bar, and made it shorter (brought the cable closer to the clutch lever) and that seemed to give the clutch more life. Are you talking about adjusting the clutch cable down by the motor where the oil goes in?

Yes sir

[Danger13Fox]

ok so the clutch cable does move back in forth down at the bottom and isnt taught at all.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Danger13Fox

ok so the clutch cable does move back in forth down at the bottom and isnt taught at all.

Sure seems like there is an issue with the clutch to me as well. It's possible the friction plates are worn excessively or something broke. It's also possible that the previous owner used automotive oil with Friction Modifiers that build-up on the clutch plates and caused them to slip. All of that is kinda rare on a 250cc cycle with 3400 miles.

Maybe the previous owner consistently slipped the clutch excessively while learning. What does the oil look like? Is it dark and does it have a burned smell?

Chances are the warranty doesn't cover "normal wear items" like the clutch, brake pads, tires, etc.

Do you have free-play between the lever and the mount (as cuong noted)? Here's info on adjusting the cable - http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Adjusting_the_clutch_cable

[Danger13Fox]

I did the oil change today and it didn't smell burnt or anything like that. It was dark but that's probably my neglect I haven't changed it since I put about 600 miles on it. I don't know what type oil was previously used. I know I just topped her off with the rotela diesel oil. Is it possible the clutch just took a crap? And any insight on how much it would cost to repair?

[Danger13Fox]

Just wondering could this issue of stemmed from it sitting for long periods of time? The previous owner bought it new in 2009 and over 5 years only put 2500 is miles on it. Could it of caused a minor issue that just imploded on my face?

[M42]

No, clutch doesn't deteriorate with time, only with use (improper use at that).

[Flying]

Check and adjust the cable and linkage again from bottom to top, except give yourself 1mm of free-play at the lever (instead of the recommended 2-3mm) and see what happens:


You said your oil didn't look or smell funky, it's probably normal. Don't worry about the blackness, that's normal as well.

Idea: We all agree the problem LOOKS like a typical slipping clutch. I'm assuming that your clutch cable was improperly adjusted from the start and put excessive wear on your clutch plates. Several thousand miles later the plates are just at the limit of slipping, you come back from a ride, things cool and shrink, suddenly next morning you have a clutch that won't engage and is continually getting worse as it slips. Again, this is all of my speculation.

No way to actually know without doing another oil change and visually inspecting the plates. Bring it to a dealer or shop if the cable adjustment doesn't do the job.

[InvisiBill]

Originally Posted by Flying

Idea: We all agree the problem LOOKS like a typical slipping clutch. I'm assuming that your clutch cable was improperly adjusted from the start and put excessive wear on your clutch plates. Several thousand miles later the plates are just at the limit of slipping, you come back from a ride, things cool and shrink, suddenly next morning you have a clutch that won't engage and is continually getting worse as it slips. Again, this is all of my speculation.

[Danger13Fox]

Soo... We can all probably agree that its the slippage issue. From here if I've tried to adjust the clutch at both ends with little success, then should I be looking at replacing the plates? And if so, anyone know exactly what parts I should order or is it best just to but the puppy open and check her out?

[Flying]

If you want to do it yourself:
Go to the dealer or any of the wholesale parts sites for part #11009-1872 (GASKET, CLUTCH COVER)
Buy more oil.

Read this multiple times, execute.
https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=25301

Replacement clutch friction discs: KG Powersports #KG252-5HPK
Replacement clutch steels: Barnett #401-35-078002

INSPECT ORIGINALS BEFORE ORDERING FRICTION/CLUTCH PLATES

[Linkin]

Based on how my ninja sounds when you start releasing the clutch, your clutch is not fully engaging. Check the cable play/adjustment and lube the clutch line as well.

[Danger13Fox]

Thanks everyone for the help so far. I've been out of my house the past week and won't be able to get to my bike until Friday. But will try multiple things here.

[Flying]

Take pictures!