new bike with problems

fishnbarrel · January 30th, 2013, 01:55 PM

Been lurking here for a while, but I have come across something with my 2012 250 that I would like to see if I can get some help with.

I am a new rider, and purchased a new 250 in December. With me just learning, and with breaking in the engine, I have been taking it easy on the bike. I ride whenever I can, but between work and the weather, it has not been much.

Last Saturday I went for a ride. The tank was 1/4 full, so I filled it at the beginning. About 20-30 minutes into it, it lost power. I pulled over, but it never completely died. I decided to limp it back home. While doing that, it suddenly got its power back. A few minutes later, it did the same thing. It was running fine by that time I got home. The next day, same thing, but it started after about an hour. I thought maybe I got some bad fuel.

Went home and searched on here. It gives the symptoms of a vacuum on the tank. The next day I tried riding it, and did not get out of the neighbor hood. I drained the gas and refilled from a different station. Same thing. Now it is worse. I tried opening the tank when it would lose power, but that did not help.

I ended up taking to the dealer. They just called and said there was some water in the oil, but it did not look like it was coolant. They could not find anything else wrong. I live on the gulf coast, and it has been warm and very humid (foggy) here when I was riding. I do not see how that could cause a power lose.

What do I need to check next? I feel like it is a fuel delivery problem. The bike now has 600 miles on it. I don't think I should be having these problems. I have never even taken on the interstate yet.

Jiggles · January 30th, 2013, 03:13 PM

Fuel delivery means you get to play with the carbs! Try some seafoam first though

lgk · January 30th, 2013, 03:39 PM

Have you checked your plugs?

CC Cowboy · January 30th, 2013, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishnbarrel

Been lurking here for a while, but I have come across something with my 2012 250 that I would like to see if I can get some help with.

I am a new rider, and purchased a new 250 in December. With me just learning, and with breaking in the engine, I have been taking it easy on the bike. I ride whenever I can, but between work and the weather, it has not been much.

Last Saturday I went for a ride. The tank was 1/4 full, so I filled it at the beginning. About 20-30 minutes into it, it lost power. I pulled over, but it never completely died. I decided to limp it back home. While doing that, it suddenly got its power back. A few minutes later, it did the same thing. It was running fine by that time I got home. The next day, same thing, but it started after about an hour. I thought maybe I got some bad fuel.

Went home and searched on here. It gives the symptoms of a vacuum on the tank. The next day I tried riding it, and did not get out of the neighbor hood. I drained the gas and refilled from a different station. Same thing. Now it is worse. I tried opening the tank when it would lose power, but that did not help.

I ended up taking to the dealer. They just called and said there was some water in the oil, but it did not look like it was coolant. They could not find anything else wrong. I live on the gulf coast, and it has been warm and very humid (foggy) here when I was riding. I do not see how that could cause a power lose.

What do I need to check next? I feel like it is a fuel delivery problem. The bike now has 600 miles on it. I don't think I should be having these problems. I have never even taken on the interstate yet.

Get a second opinion, that one is bogus.

Check plugs, vacuum hoses and battery.

Do these race bikes get vapor lock?

DaBlue1 · January 30th, 2013, 04:40 PM

What was the longest period in between rides?
What was the fuel level?
How is the bike stored?

Humidity (fog) can make an engine run a little rich. Also, I read from a member, who also lives in NOLA, say that the humidity is so bad that it rarely drops below 60%. He maintains a fleet of training motorcycles. He says a lot of others "ALWAYS HAVE FUELING PROBLEMS", but he never does because he uses Seafoam in them regularly.

Since you you have some water in your oil, I imagine you probably had some water in your carbs as well, maybe even some crud if gas was left in them for a long period of time. I'd try some carb cleaner/ fuel stabilizer first and see if that works. I definitely recommend it if you don't ride the bike much. There's not too many reason for a brand new bike that is not even broke in good to have a major problem.

Jono · January 30th, 2013, 05:05 PM

Sounds like it's time for a new R6.

fishnbarrel · January 30th, 2013, 05:46 PM

I really appreciate the responses. Just picked it up. I had them do the 600 mile service on it while it was in there.

They said there was water in the oil (didn't look like it to me) and they changed the plugs. They said they checked the compression. I haven't ridden it yet other than unloading it from my truck.

What was the longest period in between rides? Less than a week.

What was the fuel level? From full to 1/2 tank.

How is the bike stored? It is stored an a garage.

So I guess I will try the Seafoam. How often would you recommend using it?

Don't know if this makes a difference, but I use only conventional gas, and the only grade I can find around here is 91 octane. I have had problems with other engines using gas with ethanol.

If this didn't fix it, then yeah, I'm trading it in for an R6.

DaBlue1 · January 30th, 2013, 07:06 PM

91 octane will not make a big difference in your bike, it will just burn slower than 87. The Ninja performs well on 87 octane, however I understand your concern about ethanol laden gas. I run ethanol free 87 octane in my bike as much as possible and it runs great. When I can't get e-free gas, I make sure I put Star Tron in it. As long as the bike does not sit for more than a month or so, your fuel and carbs should be OK.

I would also check to make sure that there is nothing blocking the snorkel and have a look inside of the airbox. Lastly make sure that your gas cap makes noise. If it is not whining or whistling, it's probably not venting properly and that can cause a fuel flow problem.

Zipster · January 31st, 2013, 05:54 AM

My wife's 2012 did the exact same thing. It has only happened twice. Died both times. Luckily I was on some back roads and could pull over. Got the bike restarted but never did find the cause. Both instances were in days of each other so I assume bad gas. That was many miles and many tanks ago. So......

Richard

csmith12 · January 31st, 2013, 06:39 AM

Hold up.....

Only 600 miles, warranty? If your under warranty, keep taking it back to them or someone else that will honor the warranty.

January 30th, 2013, 01:55 PM	#1
fishnbarrel ninjette.org newbie Name: Jon Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250r 2012 Posts: 3	new bike with problems Been lurking here for a while, but I have come across something with my 2012 250 that I would like to see if I can get some help with. I am a new rider, and purchased a new 250 in December. With me just learning, and with breaking in the engine, I have been taking it easy on the bike. I ride whenever I can, but between work and the weather, it has not been much. Last Saturday I went for a ride. The tank was 1/4 full, so I filled it at the beginning. About 20-30 minutes into it, it lost power. I pulled over, but it never completely died. I decided to limp it back home. While doing that, it suddenly got its power back. A few minutes later, it did the same thing. It was running fine by that time I got home. The next day, same thing, but it started after about an hour. I thought maybe I got some bad fuel. Went home and searched on here. It gives the symptoms of a vacuum on the tank. The next day I tried riding it, and did not get out of the neighbor hood. I drained the gas and refilled from a different station. Same thing. Now it is worse. I tried opening the tank when it would lose power, but that did not help. I ended up taking to the dealer. They just called and said there was some water in the oil, but it did not look like it was coolant. They could not find anything else wrong. I live on the gulf coast, and it has been warm and very humid (foggy) here when I was riding. I do not see how that could cause a power lose. What do I need to check next? I feel like it is a fuel delivery problem. The bike now has 600 miles on it. I don't think I should be having these problems. I have never even taken on the interstate yet.

January 30th, 2013, 03:13 PM	#2
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	Fuel delivery means you get to play with the carbs! Try some seafoam first though __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

January 30th, 2013, 03:39 PM	#3
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	Have you checked your plugs? __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

January 31st, 2013, 06:39 AM	#10
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	Hold up..... Only 600 miles, warranty? If your under warranty, keep taking it back to them or someone else that will honor the warranty. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

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January 30th, 2013, 04:40 PM	#5
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	What was the longest period in between rides? What was the fuel level? How is the bike stored? Humidity (fog) can make an engine run a little rich. Also, I read from a member, who also lives in NOLA, say that the humidity is so bad that it rarely drops below 60%. He maintains a fleet of training motorcycles. He says a lot of others "ALWAYS HAVE FUELING PROBLEMS", but he never does because he uses Seafoam in them regularly. Since you you have some water in your oil, I imagine you probably had some water in your carbs as well, maybe even some crud if gas was left in them for a long period of time. I'd try some carb cleaner/ fuel stabilizer first and see if that works. I definitely recommend it if you don't ride the bike much. There's not too many reason for a brand new bike that is not even broke in good to have a major problem.

January 30th, 2013, 05:05 PM	#6
Jono ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jono Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.	Sounds like it's time for a new R6.

January 30th, 2013, 05:46 PM	#7
fishnbarrel ninjette.org newbie Name: Jon Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250r 2012 Posts: 3	I really appreciate the responses. Just picked it up. I had them do the 600 mile service on it while it was in there. They said there was water in the oil (didn't look like it to me) and they changed the plugs. They said they checked the compression. I haven't ridden it yet other than unloading it from my truck. What was the longest period in between rides? Less than a week. What was the fuel level? From full to 1/2 tank. How is the bike stored? It is stored an a garage. So I guess I will try the Seafoam. How often would you recommend using it? Don't know if this makes a difference, but I use only conventional gas, and the only grade I can find around here is 91 octane. I have had problems with other engines using gas with ethanol. If this didn't fix it, then yeah, I'm trading it in for an R6.

January 30th, 2013, 07:06 PM	#8
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	91 octane will not make a big difference in your bike, it will just burn slower than 87. The Ninja performs well on 87 octane, however I understand your concern about ethanol laden gas. I run ethanol free 87 octane in my bike as much as possible and it runs great. When I can't get e-free gas, I make sure I put Star Tron in it. As long as the bike does not sit for more than a month or so, your fuel and carbs should be OK. I would also check to make sure that there is nothing blocking the snorkel and have a look inside of the airbox. Lastly make sure that your gas cap makes noise. If it is not whining or whistling, it's probably not venting properly and that can cause a fuel flow problem.

January 31st, 2013, 05:54 AM	#9
Zipster ninjette.org member Name: Richard Location: Dallas Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250 (Hers) 2010 Ninja 250 (His) Posts: 54	My wife's 2012 did the exact same thing. It has only happened twice. Died both times. Luckily I was on some back roads and could pull over. Got the bike restarted but never did find the cause. Both instances were in days of each other so I assume bad gas. That was many miles and many tanks ago. So...... Richard