Ninja stutters starting out in first

Twisthem488 · March 22nd, 2018, 10:00 PM

I have a 2009, and a few days ago I ran into something new with her. It was about 50F outside, the bike was warmed up, and I was pulling out from a stop. I let the bike hit about 7K and eased the clutch out but instead of engaging and speeding away, the engine jumped, then immediately stopped, jumped, stopped etc probably several times within a second. The tach showed the engine at speed, and 0rpm repsectively. I was in the middle lane in full traffic so couldn't just coast to the shoulder and instead pulled the clutch in, let it rev up and was able to ride it out. I think I let it hit higher around 10k before letting the clutch back out at which point it rode like normal. I was able to shift up and down without any problems, until I got to the next light. It happened again when I tried to pull away, jumping from 7~k to 0 several times a second until I clutched in, revved higher, and was able to ride it out. I pulled over at that point but couldn't replicate the problem again. I spent the past couple days riding it around close to home to observe any issues. Today it teased me with the same thing agian, but just barely. Pulling away from a stop I chugged just about 2 or 3 times before riding like normal. I've noticed some small things that I don't know if they are related, or if I'm just being paranoid. Right around the time this started I felt like the bike was weaker than normal at low revs in first, but attributed to the cold weather (in the 30s F) and maybe the bike not being warmed up. I've also noticed that my headlight flickers slightly now, and quite noticeably when the break lights or blinkers are on. Like I said, maybe its always been that way and I never noticed because I'm not critically trying to observe any faults.

Does anyone have any clues on where to start? I'm pretty new at diagnosing vehicle problems :\ My completely naive mind would think its electrical like a battery or spark plug problem, but I have idea what I'm talking about. Any tips would be appreciated.

jkv45 · March 23rd, 2018, 06:28 AM

Check the battery voltage and terminal connections. Because the tach dropped to 0, I would suspect something electrical.

I'd also make sure the gas is fresh. Old gas, or gas with a lot of condensation in it, will give you odd problems. You may need to completely drain the tank and refill. Drain the float bowls also.

7,000 when taking off? You should be closer to 2000.

Triple Jim · March 23rd, 2018, 06:41 AM

Like jkv45, my first guess is that the battery is low. I also agree about the 7,000 take-off speed. Your clutch will last a lot longer if you don't regularly slip it that much. But maybe you weren't saying you do that regularly.

Twisthem488 · March 25th, 2018, 05:20 PM

I really should have just checked this first, but I took a look at my battery today. Its 53F, and the battery was reading at 12.18, so not too bad there. BUT I noticed the positive terminal was decently loose,

so I tightened that up, and then turned off the lights in my shed to see if my headlight would still dim like it was earlier, but it remained steady. I'm hoping it was that simple and it wont crop up again, but since it was an inconsistent problem, its hard to tell.

Also, when I pull out I usually release engage the clutch around 4k, and finish up around 6 or 7. Maybe its a bad habit since I've been riding that way since I got my ninjette in 2012. I feel like 2000 is too low though, because at least on my bike it would chug a bit that low until the revs caught up. Maybe that's a signal of another problem I'm not aware of though. Maybe I just need to lose a few lbs.

Either way, I'll go ahead and replace my spark plugs once the weather gets nice again. Need to do another oil change, and clean my air filter while I'm at it. Hopefully I can save enough money this year to get the valves done since Its probably about that time.

jkv45 · March 25th, 2018, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisthem488

I really should have just checked this first, but I took a look at my battery today. Its 53F, and the battery was reading at 12.18, so not too bad there. BUT I noticed the positive terminal was decently loose,

so I tightened that up, and then turned off the lights in my shed to see if my headlight would still dim like it was earlier, but it remained steady. I'm hoping it was that simple and it wont crop up again, but since it was an inconsistent problem, its hard to tell.

Also, when I pull out I usually release engage the clutch around 4k, and finish up around 6 or 7. Maybe its a bad habit since I've been riding that way since I got my ninjette in 2012. I feel like 2000 is too low though, because at least on my bike it would chug a bit that low until the revs caught up. Maybe that's a signal of another problem I'm not aware of though. Maybe I just need to lose a few lbs.

Either way, I'll go ahead and replace my spark plugs once the weather gets nice again. Need to do another oil change, and clean my air filter while I'm at it. Hopefully I can save enough money this year to get the valves done since Its probably about that time.

That voltage is too low. 12.7V is 100% charged, 12.17 is only a little over 50% charged - so there's a problem of some sort. Either the battery is bad or there is a charging issue. If the terminal was really loose it may prevented charging. The bike will run poorly with a low battery.

When taking off, balance the clutch engagement with the RPMs so the RPMs stay the same as the clutch grabs. When done properly, you can almost take off at idle and pull away smoothly, then accelerate when the clutch lever is fully out. It's a lot easier on the clutch, and shows a certain level of skill.

maverick9611 · March 25th, 2018, 09:29 PM

yup buy a new battery.

Twisthem488 · March 26th, 2018, 10:22 AM

I'll test it again after riding around with the connection re secured to see if that makes a difference, and then adjust for temps (although at 50F, that's only a .072V difference) If its not up to 12.7 then I'll swap it out. Thanks for all the help guys

maverick9611 · March 26th, 2018, 10:27 AM

buy a trickle charger. cheap insurance.

Twisthem488 · March 26th, 2018, 10:34 AM

Actually, now that you mention it I do have one that I've been using for electrolytic rust removal, but it should work in a pinch, although having a quick connect for it would be handy.

March 22nd, 2018, 10:00 PM	#1
Twisthem488 ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: KS Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninjette Posts: 58	Ninja stutters starting out in first I have a 2009, and a few days ago I ran into something new with her. It was about 50F outside, the bike was warmed up, and I was pulling out from a stop. I let the bike hit about 7K and eased the clutch out but instead of engaging and speeding away, the engine jumped, then immediately stopped, jumped, stopped etc probably several times within a second. The tach showed the engine at speed, and 0rpm repsectively. I was in the middle lane in full traffic so couldn't just coast to the shoulder and instead pulled the clutch in, let it rev up and was able to ride it out. I think I let it hit higher around 10k before letting the clutch back out at which point it rode like normal. I was able to shift up and down without any problems, until I got to the next light. It happened again when I tried to pull away, jumping from 7~k to 0 several times a second until I clutched in, revved higher, and was able to ride it out. I pulled over at that point but couldn't replicate the problem again. I spent the past couple days riding it around close to home to observe any issues. Today it teased me with the same thing agian, but just barely. Pulling away from a stop I chugged just about 2 or 3 times before riding like normal. I've noticed some small things that I don't know if they are related, or if I'm just being paranoid. Right around the time this started I felt like the bike was weaker than normal at low revs in first, but attributed to the cold weather (in the 30s F) and maybe the bike not being warmed up. I've also noticed that my headlight flickers slightly now, and quite noticeably when the break lights or blinkers are on. Like I said, maybe its always been that way and I never noticed because I'm not critically trying to observe any faults. Does anyone have any clues on where to start? I'm pretty new at diagnosing vehicle problems :\ My completely naive mind would think its electrical like a battery or spark plug problem, but I have idea what I'm talking about. Any tips would be appreciated.

March 25th, 2018, 09:29 PM	#6
maverick9611 "a legend in my own mind" Name: maverick9611 Location: Augusta,Georgia Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge(brownie),2020 aprilia dorsoduro, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Feb '18	yup buy a new battery. __________________________________________________ "trying not to get old"

March 26th, 2018, 10:27 AM	#8
maverick9611 "a legend in my own mind" Name: maverick9611 Location: Augusta,Georgia Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge(brownie),2020 aprilia dorsoduro, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Feb '18	buy a trickle charger. cheap insurance. __________________________________________________ "trying not to get old"

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
06 ninja 250 starting problems	DRchipper	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	13	June 24th, 2017 08:10 PM
2010 Ninja Not Starting	Xata27	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	6	April 18th, 2015 06:05 AM
ninja 250 starting issue	ninjawing	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	21	October 1st, 2013 10:33 AM
2007 250 Ninja Not Starting	FrankChen07	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	2	October 24th, 2011 09:46 PM
Ninja not starting up.	junsiang	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	2	May 8th, 2010 08:06 AM

March 23rd, 2018, 06:28 AM	#2
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 the battery voltage and terminal connections. Because the tach dropped to 0, I would suspect something electrical. I'd also make sure the gas is fresh. Old gas, or gas with a lot of condensation in it, will give you odd problems. You may need to completely drain the tank and refill. Drain the float bowls also. 7,000 when taking off? You should be closer to 2000.

March 23rd, 2018, 06:41 AM	#3
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	Like jkv45, my first guess is that the battery is low. I also agree about the 7,000 take-off speed. Your clutch will last a lot longer if you don't regularly slip it that much. But maybe you weren't saying you do that regularly.

March 25th, 2018, 05:20 PM	#4
Twisthem488 ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: KS Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninjette Posts: 58	I really should have just checked this first, but I took a look at my battery today. Its 53F, and the battery was reading at 12.18, so not too bad there. BUT I noticed the positive terminal was decently loose, so I tightened that up, and then turned off the lights in my shed to see if my headlight would still dim like it was earlier, but it remained steady. I'm hoping it was that simple and it wont crop up again, but since it was an inconsistent problem, its hard to tell. Also, when I pull out I usually release engage the clutch around 4k, and finish up around 6 or 7. Maybe its a bad habit since I've been riding that way since I got my ninjette in 2012. I feel like 2000 is too low though, because at least on my bike it would chug a bit that low until the revs caught up. Maybe that's a signal of another problem I'm not aware of though. Maybe I just need to lose a few lbs. Either way, I'll go ahead and replace my spark plugs once the weather gets nice again. Need to do another oil change, and clean my air filter while I'm at it. Hopefully I can save enough money this year to get the valves done since Its probably about that time.

March 26th, 2018, 10:22 AM	#7
Twisthem488 ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: KS Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninjette Posts: 58	I'll test it again after riding around with the connection re secured to see if that makes a difference, and then adjust for temps (although at 50F, that's only a .072V difference) If its not up to 12.7 then I'll swap it out. Thanks for all the help guys

March 26th, 2018, 10:34 AM	#9
Twisthem488 ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: KS Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninjette Posts: 58	Actually, now that you mention it I do have one that I've been using for electrolytic rust removal, but it should work in a pinch, although having a quick connect for it would be handy.