Low and bouncing idle...

archaeofreak · January 15th, 2015, 09:36 AM

As title says, last time I started up the Ninja, it was a bit harder to start than normal (normally it starts right up with just a little choke applied).

This time it took 3-4 attempts, and the choke did not seem to do anything. When it started, I let it run a bit, and the idle was very low, and bounced slightly between 300-600 RPMs or so...normally it idles at 1200 RPMs. I adjusted the idle up a bit after a few minutes and my gf rode for about 15 m around the neighborhood (she is learning).

Is this a clogged carb? It was cleaned a few months ago when I got the bike, but it sat for about 2 weeks over xmas. I rode once when I returned from xmas break (just 10 mi to work and back that day). Am I just not riding enough? Could it be the battery? I am not sure how old it is...read something about low idle and bouncing could be bad battery...thanks!

csmith12 · January 15th, 2015, 10:26 AM

Just happened once? If so, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I call my bike sleepy every now and then, because it takes a minute to wake up after a short (weeks)/long (months) period of just sitting there. After a bit of time to smooth out the idle so it was rideable and mile or two on the road it was back to business as usual.

I chalk it up to less than quality fuel when it happens.

archaeofreak · January 15th, 2015, 10:48 AM

I also recently filled up my tank with new fuel...could I have just filled it up too much, causing venting issues?

jkv45 · January 15th, 2015, 11:59 AM

Check your battery voltage, it should be 12.7V after sitting for a few hours and before cranking.

Even though you filled up with fresh gas, you could have bad gas and condensation in the tank that's working its way through the system. If problems continue, I would drain the tank and float bowls before doing much else.

Running a strong fuel system cleaner like Techron Concentrate once a season isn't a bad idea. Either is keeping the tank as full as possible and running ethanol-free gas if you can get it.

Ghostt · January 15th, 2015, 12:43 PM

Do as Lord Vader commands, also did you install a fuel filter? How often do you run on reserve?

archaeofreak · January 15th, 2015, 01:44 PM

I run on reserve when I fill the tank for 20+ miles to drain from the bottom of the tank-I have a later clear conical fuel filter already installed. I live in AZ so hopefully condensation is not much of a problem here? Not positive though...I need a multimeter to check battery right?

jkv45 · January 15th, 2015, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archaeofreak

I run on reserve when I fill the tank for 20+ miles to drain from the bottom of the tank-I have a later clear conical fuel filter already installed. I live in AZ so hopefully condensation is not much of a problem here? Not positive though...I need a multimeter to check battery right?

You can still get condensation in AZ. Best to keep the tank as full as possible to avoid the possibility. Run gas without ethanol if you can.

If you like to run the tank down before filling, there's a good chance there's moisture in the tank.

Yes you need a meter, but nothing special.

archaeofreak · January 15th, 2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkv45

You can still get condensation in AZ. Best to keep the tank as full as possible to avoid the possibility. Run gas without ethanol if you can.

If you like to run the tank down before filling, there's a good chance there's moisture in the tank.

Yes you need a meter, but nothing special.

I haven't been able to find ethanol free gas around here...would adding STA-BIL help?

jkv45 · January 16th, 2015, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archaeofreak

I haven't been able to find ethanol free gas around here...would adding STA-BIL help?

There is a version of Stabil (not the standard one) designed for treating gas with ethanol, but it may not be necessary. If you keep the tank close to full and don't let it sit for extended periods you should be fine without.

The problems with ethanol-blended gas are that it goes bad quicker (Phase Separation), contains and holds water, delivers worse mileage, and makes a carbed engine run leaner (compared to gas without ethanol).

Ghostt · January 16th, 2015, 12:10 PM

STA-BIL 22264 Ethanol Treatment with Performance Improver -10 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HX1DZM..._CfwUub0TD45PK

http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/1718207...419392&veh=sem

Motofool · January 17th, 2015, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archaeofreak

................. Am I just not riding enough? Could it be the battery? I am not sure how old it is...read something about low idle and bouncing could be bad battery...thanks!

Valves out of adjustment are another cause of hard start ups and erratic idle.

The valves should be checked and adjusted every 6000 miles for pre-gen's.
Here is how:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_..._the_valves%3F

January 15th, 2015, 09:36 AM	#1
archaeofreak ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Phoenix, AZ Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250R Posts: 82	Low and bouncing idle... As title says, last time I started up the Ninja, it was a bit harder to start than normal (normally it starts right up with just a little choke applied). This time it took 3-4 attempts, and the choke did not seem to do anything. When it started, I let it run a bit, and the idle was very low, and bounced slightly between 300-600 RPMs or so...normally it idles at 1200 RPMs. I adjusted the idle up a bit after a few minutes and my gf rode for about 15 m around the neighborhood (she is learning). Is this a clogged carb? It was cleaned a few months ago when I got the bike, but it sat for about 2 weeks over xmas. I rode once when I returned from xmas break (just 10 mi to work and back that day). Am I just not riding enough? Could it be the battery? I am not sure how old it is...read something about low idle and bouncing could be bad battery...thanks!

January 15th, 2015, 10:26 AM	#2
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	Just happened once? If so, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I call my bike sleepy every now and then, because it takes a minute to wake up after a short (weeks)/long (months) period of just sitting there. After a bit of time to smooth out the idle so it was rideable and mile or two on the road it was back to business as usual. I chalk it up to less than quality fuel when it happens. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

January 16th, 2015, 12:10 PM	#10
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	STA-BIL 22264 Ethanol Treatment with Performance Improver -10 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HX1DZM..._CfwUub0TD45PK http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/1718207...419392&veh=sem __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

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January 15th, 2015, 10:48 AM	#3
archaeofreak ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Phoenix, AZ Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250R Posts: 82	I also recently filled up my tank with new fuel...could I have just filled it up too much, causing venting issues?

January 15th, 2015, 11:59 AM	#4
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	Check your battery voltage, it should be 12.7V after sitting for a few hours and before cranking. Even though you filled up with fresh gas, you could have bad gas and condensation in the tank that's working its way through the system. If problems continue, I would drain the tank and float bowls before doing much else. Running a strong fuel system cleaner like Techron Concentrate once a season isn't a bad idea. Either is keeping the tank as full as possible and running ethanol-free gas if you can get it.

January 15th, 2015, 01:44 PM	#6
archaeofreak ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Phoenix, AZ Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250R Posts: 82	I run on reserve when I fill the tank for 20+ miles to drain from the bottom of the tank-I have a later clear conical fuel filter already installed. I live in AZ so hopefully condensation is not much of a problem here? Not positive though...I need a multimeter to check battery right?