Really low idle speed when starting??? HELP!!

Ktaylor07 · October 17th, 2011, 07:59 PM

Ok, so I've had my 2010 ninja for about a month now. I bought it used with 1700 miles on it and with all the services it needed done on time with proof in the log book. I also had it looked at by a Kawasaki dealership before I bought it and they said it was in excellent condition. The only mods so far to the bike is a DanMoto carbon exhaust the previous owner installed. My concern is when I first start the bike it idles really low and sometimes cuts off the first try. I have the idle adjusted right and have done so after the bike was warmed up and after a 30 minute ride. My concern is how to fix this......does it have anything to do with the exhaust that he put on it and not changing other settings on the bike? Im a newbie and dont have too much experience with working on bikes. When I use the choke it starts up pretty easily but it says you should only use it for cold starts so I'm trying to not use it as much to start. The weather has been pretty warm and this sometimes even occurs after a 15 minute ride and it has only been sitting there and off for about 10 minutes and I go to start it without the choke and it idles kind of low for awhile. After riding the bike for at least 10 minutes, I'll park it and put it in neutral and the RPMs will be at around 1300-1500. Maybe I'm just freaking out over something small but I don't wanna have to keep using the choke to help it start and warm up before I ride when it hasn't even been sitting and not ridden for less than an hour.

Alex · October 17th, 2011, 08:06 PM

Use the choke. That's what it's for.

Ktaylor07 · October 17th, 2011, 09:13 PM

Ok. I just didn't know if you were supposed to use it so frequently. I know alot of people that start their bike right off the bat with no choke and it sounds good. Mine with no choke sounds like it struggling to stay alive.

Magz · October 17th, 2011, 09:57 PM

You can try raising the idle a little. Mine was the same, and doing so seemed to make it a little happier. But like was said before, don't think it's bad to use the choke. It's a carbureted engine, using the choke is normal.

October 17th, 2011, 07:59 PM	#1
Ktaylor07 ninjette.org member Name: Kevin Location: Augusta, GA Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 66	Really low idle speed when starting??? HELP!! Ok, so I've had my 2010 ninja for about a month now. I bought it used with 1700 miles on it and with all the services it needed done on time with proof in the log book. I also had it looked at by a Kawasaki dealership before I bought it and they said it was in excellent condition. The only mods so far to the bike is a DanMoto carbon exhaust the previous owner installed. My concern is when I first start the bike it idles really low and sometimes cuts off the first try. I have the idle adjusted right and have done so after the bike was warmed up and after a 30 minute ride. My concern is how to fix this......does it have anything to do with the exhaust that he put on it and not changing other settings on the bike? Im a newbie and dont have too much experience with working on bikes. When I use the choke it starts up pretty easily but it says you should only use it for cold starts so I'm trying to not use it as much to start. The weather has been pretty warm and this sometimes even occurs after a 15 minute ride and it has only been sitting there and off for about 10 minutes and I go to start it without the choke and it idles kind of low for awhile. After riding the bike for at least 10 minutes, I'll park it and put it in neutral and the RPMs will be at around 1300-1500. Maybe I'm just freaking out over something small but I don't wanna have to keep using the choke to help it start and warm up before I ride when it hasn't even been sitting and not ridden for less than an hour.

October 17th, 2011, 08:06 PM	#2
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	Use the choke. That's what it's for. __________________________________________________ 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)

October 17th, 2011, 09:57 PM	#4
Magz ninjette.org member Name: Jake Location: MO Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '06 Ninja 250 Posts: 87	You can try raising the idle a little. Mine was the same, and doing so seemed to make it a little happier. But like was said before, don't think it's bad to use the choke. It's a carbureted engine, using the choke is normal. __________________________________________________ Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes. - Jim Carrey

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October 17th, 2011, 09:13 PM	#3
Ktaylor07 ninjette.org member Name: Kevin Location: Augusta, GA Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 Posts: 66	Ok. I just didn't know if you were supposed to use it so frequently. I know alot of people that start their bike right off the bat with no choke and it sounds good. Mine with no choke sounds like it struggling to stay alive.