Starting with or without the choke

dcx4610 · April 1st, 2013, 11:13 AM

I've had my 250 for about half a year now and this is my first time letting it sit through the winter.

For the first time this season I tried starting it up for a ride and it wasn't exactly easy to get going. It took a few cranks at full choke to get it to run and then it would die. After adding some Seafoam and letting it sit a bit I managed to get it running with full choke but it took a good 10 minutes before I could get it to run with the choke and even then it was around 1000 rpms and would die if I gave it gas. Eventually I rode off with half choke and turned it off after awhile and the bike ran fine.

My questions is what are your typical start up procedures? I hear let the bike start with full choke and slowly turn it down to off and then ride off when you can give it gas without dying. Another mindset is to give it full choke and ride off right away and then turn it off after a good 5 minutes of light riding.

Which do you prefer and what is better? As far as my rough time getting the bike to stay idle, was it likely just stale gas/clogged carbs from sitting for the winter?

Alex · April 1st, 2013, 11:28 AM

Stale gas / gunk that needs to work its way through. Nothing to be alarmed about yet, but I'd figure out how to run through the existing gas and get the tank refilled with new gas in short order. Once things are running correctly & you have fresh gas, the starting procedure for me is as you described. Start a cold bike with the choke on, and ride away reasonably soon afterwards, lowering the choke while riding until it is no longer needed.

lgk · April 1st, 2013, 11:28 AM

i just apply enough choke to get it started and ride off. then turn it off after a city block.

csmith12 · April 1st, 2013, 11:34 AM

Nashville aye.... Sounds pretty typical of your location. It was about the same for me this year.

Start with full choke. Let idle until it revs up on it's own, turn choke down a bit, gloves, strap helmet. Turn choke down then ride away. It's fully off within 2 miles.

ninja250r81 · April 1st, 2013, 01:28 PM

I am in Aussie and live where i get no snow in the winter but we get the winds off the snowy mountains.

-4 in the winter to 34 degrees in summer.

I use 2 quick full throttle twists, turn choke on to full, turn key on, turn kill switch on, start bike.

choneofakind · April 1st, 2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Stale gas / gunk that needs to work its way through. Nothing to be alarmed about yet, but I'd figure out how to run through the existing gas and get the tank refilled with new gas in short order.

The Italian tune-up almost always works. Once you get it started, just run all the crap out of it!

conrya5 · April 1st, 2013, 05:42 PM

Did you prepare / ready your bike for sitting all winter long?

Winterize Your Bike

Joshorilla · April 1st, 2013, 05:46 PM

Choke, how quaint.

Firehorse · April 2nd, 2013, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

Choke, how quaint.

More electronics to break, bummer for you.

heehee, couldn't resist!

April 1st, 2013, 11:13 AM	#1
dcx4610 ninjette.org member Name: Daniel Location: Nashville Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Posts: 25	Starting with or without the choke I've had my 250 for about half a year now and this is my first time letting it sit through the winter. For the first time this season I tried starting it up for a ride and it wasn't exactly easy to get going. It took a few cranks at full choke to get it to run and then it would die. After adding some Seafoam and letting it sit a bit I managed to get it running with full choke but it took a good 10 minutes before I could get it to run with the choke and even then it was around 1000 rpms and would die if I gave it gas. Eventually I rode off with half choke and turned it off after awhile and the bike ran fine. My questions is what are your typical start up procedures? I hear let the bike start with full choke and slowly turn it down to off and then ride off when you can give it gas without dying. Another mindset is to give it full choke and ride off right away and then turn it off after a good 5 minutes of light riding. Which do you prefer and what is better? As far as my rough time getting the bike to stay idle, was it likely just stale gas/clogged carbs from sitting for the winter?

April 1st, 2013, 11:28 AM	#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	Stale gas / gunk that needs to work its way through. Nothing to be alarmed about yet, but I'd figure out how to run through the existing gas and get the tank refilled with new gas in short order. Once things are running correctly & you have fresh gas, the starting procedure for me is as you described. Start a cold bike with the choke on, and ride away reasonably soon afterwards, lowering the choke while riding until it is no longer needed. __________________________________________________ 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)

April 1st, 2013, 11:28 AM	#3
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	i just apply enough choke to get it started and ride off. then turn it off after a city block. __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

April 1st, 2013, 11:34 AM	#4
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	Nashville aye.... Sounds pretty typical of your location. It was about the same for me this year. Start with full choke. Let idle until it revs up on it's own, turn choke down a bit, gloves, strap helmet. Turn choke down then ride away. It's fully off within 2 miles. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School Last futzed with by csmith12; April 1st, 2013 at 07:03 PM.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

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April 1st, 2013, 01:28 PM	#5
ninja250r81 ninjette.org guru Name: scott Location: australia Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 ninja 250r se Posts: 435	I am in Aussie and live where i get no snow in the winter but we get the winds off the snowy mountains. -4 in the winter to 34 degrees in summer. I use 2 quick full throttle twists, turn choke on to full, turn key on, turn kill switch on, start bike.

April 1st, 2013, 05:42 PM	#7
conrya5 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: South Eastern, PA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Metalic Island Blue Ninja 250r Posts: 206	Did you prepare / ready your bike for sitting all winter long? Winterize Your Bike

April 1st, 2013, 05:46 PM	#8
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	Choke, how quaint.