Backfire

athimmel · February 26th, 2009, 09:16 AM

My Ninja now has about 60 miles on it. When I went to start it this morning, it backfired like someone fired a 44 magnum at me! Anyone else have this happen on a stock Ninja with few miles? I told my wife that "it happens"

, but she wanted me to ask others to be sure.

aloh · February 26th, 2009, 09:28 AM

Happened to me a couple times before, but I havnet heard it again for awhile.

Cali619 · February 26th, 2009, 09:42 AM

this happened to me once before, and I am thinking its just some fuel that was not burned from before it shut down causing that. You are using the minimum octane Im assuming, cause if its a higher level maybe thats why it didnt combust right. Just a guess though...

athimmel · February 26th, 2009, 09:50 AM

Actually, for the first tank I used the mid-grade of octane. I guess that I'll use the lower octane next time.

ChuckFever · February 26th, 2009, 10:10 AM

It happens, no worries.

My '08 does it on the first start attempt every once in awhile when it is cold and hasn't been started yet that day.

Oh, and higher octane is not good for these things, that is a misconception. Use 87.

athimmel · February 26th, 2009, 10:22 AM

Thanks Chuck, Cali, and aloh. I knew you guys would have the answer.

It's tough being a newbie sometimes, but I appreciate the complete lack of mockery to honest questions.

athimmel · March 2nd, 2009, 10:54 AM

Another shot went off yesterday. I'm worried that neighborhood watch is going to think someone's being assaulted!

kkim · March 2nd, 2009, 11:07 AM

do you play with the throttle right before you turn off the bike or right before you start it? if so, don't do that.

athimmel · March 2nd, 2009, 11:15 AM

No, I don't fiddle with the throttle in either situation.

kkim · March 2nd, 2009, 11:18 AM

okay.

when the bike is cold, do you put the choke on before hitting the start button?

athimmel · March 2nd, 2009, 11:30 AM

If it's cold, yes.

kkim · March 2nd, 2009, 11:35 AM

last question... do you notice if the backfiring is happening more or less when you're using the choke or not?

athimmel · March 2nd, 2009, 11:36 AM

It's only done it twice, so it's tough to say. I think it has happened once with and once without.

kkim · March 2nd, 2009, 11:51 AM

I don't have definite answers for you, only what has been discussed in the past on this subject.

It happens a lot with some owners, with others, not too much. Some say it's related to playing with the throttle before shutdown or start up, I have not found any correlation to that.

My bike did backfire on me a couple of times when it was stock. I didn't notice at the time if I had played w/ the throttle or not prior to hitting the start button.

After I added a full exhaust, rejetted, added separate air filters, removed the Kleen system, etc, etc, etc. the backfiring stopped. However, one day recently when I was starting the bike, it did it again.

I don't know what to make of this, other than it seems if your bike is lean, it might make the backfiring situation worse than for others. I don't even know if it's a lean or rich situation causing the backfire, which was a topic of discussion before with no resolution.

I do know, every time my bike is cold, to start it, I turn the choke full on and then hit the start button. The bike will stumble to life and from there I adjust the choke lever so it will idle at about 2000-2500rpm. As the bike warms, you will need to readjust the choke as the revs go higher than that. After awhile, you can turn the choke off completely and it should idle between 1300-1500.

Since I've adopted that starting procedure, the backfiring has all but disappeared, but not completely.

athimmel · March 2nd, 2009, 11:57 AM

Thanks, kkim.

You're awesome!

Viper-Byte · March 2nd, 2009, 12:07 PM

Mine done it occasionally when stock and has also done it with my AreaP full system and louder! gave me a fright the first time, as both of you, I have no idea what I had done before hand. Mine doesn't do it enough for me to be concerned.

islanderman7 · March 2nd, 2009, 12:19 PM

Don't know if its a direct correlation but I noticed that my start up backfire happens consecutively when I haven't changed my oil for about 1000+ miles or so. As soon as I changed my oil the start up backfire goes away till it gets dirty again. Again, don't know if this is correlated but it is pattern I noticed.

Ramen · March 4th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Happened to me just a couple of days ago. Weather was around 45, and I started the stock bike without choke. It died because it needed choke, but I fired it up again with choke at full and it started fine. It's happened a couple of times now. Bike performs fine.

I'm not worried about it.

TnNinjaGirl · March 4th, 2009, 01:07 PM

09' with 2 Brothers exhaust, 2 shims, snorkel and kleen air removed. Backfired the other day. I use the choke when it's cold but otherwise it starts fine without it. Who knows... It persoanlly doesn't bother me. I don't reckon it'll hurt anything. Oh ya, I run premium in every tank. Which is like 93 or something like that around here.

kkim · March 4th, 2009, 01:09 PM

CB-

You can run premium in the bike w/o problems, but you do realize it's not helping anything with regards to power, correct? Recommended fuel is 87.

TnNinjaGirl · March 4th, 2009, 01:26 PM

Fully aware thanks. I prefer to run it to keep things a little cleaner on the insides. I've taken apart many engines and can tell a noticeable difference in the types of oil, gas and maintenance used. Personal preference really. The cost is negliable in my eyes. Maybe I just like being different. lol

devinjc · March 4th, 2009, 04:28 PM

How does higher octane keep things cleaner?

athimmel · March 4th, 2009, 04:29 PM

Yeah. Isn't it the detergents in the fuel that determine how clean it burns?

islanderman7 · March 4th, 2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinjc

How does higher octane keep things cleaner?

Thats what I want to know. I do know that if you buy 87 octane from top tier gas companies (i.e. Chevron, Texaco, Shell) they have detergents in their fuels to help burn cleaner.

The only thing that I know that higher octane does is to prevent engine "knocking" because of its resistivity to burn.

Angel-be-Good · March 4th, 2009, 09:36 PM

Happens to me on occasion, often enough (once ever other week roughly) that I started putting in my earplugs before starting the bike. A couple of things I make 100% sure of to try and prevent it, but nothing's changed:

Never play with the throttle when the bike is off.
I don't use the choke until after the bike has started.

I only had it happen after installing my Two Bros. muffler (not a full system), though I did that after just a couple thousand miles and the backfires didn't start immediately afterward, so it's hard to say if it's related. I do have a slight exhaust leak that I am aware of.

TnNinjaGirl · March 5th, 2009, 06:42 AM

Hmm good point. It could be the engines I've taken apart that require the higher octane are high performance and are being used as such. Blowing all of the carbon and other dirt out of the intake, exhaust and other cavities. DIdn't really think of that. Revelation, I think so. Good job ya'll.

February 26th, 2009, 09:16 AM	#1
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	Backfire My Ninja now has about 60 miles on it. When I went to start it this morning, it backfired like someone fired a 44 magnum at me! Anyone else have this happen on a stock Ninja with few miles? I told my wife that "it happens" , but she wanted me to ask others to be sure.

February 26th, 2009, 09:28 AM	#2
aloh lolwut Name: Alex Location: socal Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 196	Happened to me a couple times before, but I havnet heard it again for awhile. __________________________________________________ 08 Blue Ninja 250R

March 2nd, 2009, 11:51 AM	#14
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I don't have definite answers for you, only what has been discussed in the past on this subject. It happens a lot with some owners, with others, not too much. Some say it's related to playing with the throttle before shutdown or start up, I have not found any correlation to that. My bike did backfire on me a couple of times when it was stock. I didn't notice at the time if I had played w/ the throttle or not prior to hitting the start button. After I added a full exhaust, rejetted, added separate air filters, removed the Kleen system, etc, etc, etc. the backfiring stopped. However, one day recently when I was starting the bike, it did it again. I don't know what to make of this, other than it seems if your bike is lean, it might make the backfiring situation worse than for others. I don't even know if it's a lean or rich situation causing the backfire, which was a topic of discussion before with no resolution. I do know, every time my bike is cold, to start it, I turn the choke full on and then hit the start button. The bike will stumble to life and from there I adjust the choke lever so it will idle at about 2000-2500rpm. As the bike warms, you will need to readjust the choke as the revs go higher than that. After awhile, you can turn the choke off completely and it should idle between 1300-1500. Since I've adopted that starting procedure, the backfiring has all but disappeared, but not completely. Last futzed with by kkim; March 29th, 2009 at 04:41 PM.

March 4th, 2009, 09:36 PM	#25
Angel-be-Good ninjette.org guru Name: Ryan Location: San Francisco Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '11 Street Triple R Posts: 337	Happens to me on occasion, often enough (once ever other week roughly) that I started putting in my earplugs before starting the bike. A couple of things I make 100% sure of to try and prevent it, but nothing's changed: Never play with the throttle when the bike is off. I don't use the choke until after the bike has started. I only had it happen after installing my Two Bros. muffler (not a full system), though I did that after just a couple thousand miles and the backfires didn't start immediately afterward, so it's hard to say if it's related. I do have a slight exhaust leak that I am aware of. __________________________________________________ The Sunday Best \| Current mileage: 50,000

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February 26th, 2009, 09:42 AM	#3
Cali619 Giggity Giggity Name: Ryam Location: San Diego Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 ninja 250R aka Hiryu Posts: 481	this happened to me once before, and I am thinking its just some fuel that was not burned from before it shut down causing that. You are using the minimum octane Im assuming, cause if its a higher level maybe thats why it didnt combust right. Just a guess though...

February 26th, 2009, 09:50 AM	#4
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	Actually, for the first tank I used the mid-grade of octane. I guess that I'll use the lower octane next time.

February 26th, 2009, 10:10 AM	#5
ChuckFever ninjette.org member Name: Chuck Location: Ann Arbor, MI Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 10	It happens, no worries. My '08 does it on the first start attempt every once in awhile when it is cold and hasn't been started yet that day. Oh, and higher octane is not good for these things, that is a misconception. Use 87.

February 26th, 2009, 10:22 AM	#6
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	Thanks Chuck, Cali, and aloh. I knew you guys would have the answer. It's tough being a newbie sometimes, but I appreciate the complete lack of mockery to honest questions.

March 2nd, 2009, 10:54 AM	#7
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	Another shot went off yesterday. I'm worried that neighborhood watch is going to think someone's being assaulted!

March 2nd, 2009, 11:07 AM	#8
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	do you play with the throttle right before you turn off the bike or right before you start it? if so, don't do that.

March 2nd, 2009, 11:15 AM	#9
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	No, I don't fiddle with the throttle in either situation.

March 2nd, 2009, 11:18 AM	#10
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	okay. when the bike is cold, do you put the choke on before hitting the start button?

March 2nd, 2009, 11:30 AM	#11
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	If it's cold, yes.

March 2nd, 2009, 11:35 AM	#12
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	last question... do you notice if the backfiring is happening more or less when you're using the choke or not?

March 2nd, 2009, 11:36 AM	#13
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	It's only done it twice, so it's tough to say. I think it has happened once with and once without.

March 2nd, 2009, 11:57 AM	#15
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	Thanks, kkim. You're awesome!

March 2nd, 2009, 12:07 PM	#16
Viper-Byte ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Wellington, New Zealand Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R in Green! (Sold) Now 2011 Triumph Daytona 675 SE Posts: 564	Mine done it occasionally when stock and has also done it with my AreaP full system and louder! gave me a fright the first time, as both of you, I have no idea what I had done before hand. Mine doesn't do it enough for me to be concerned.

March 2nd, 2009, 12:19 PM	#17
islanderman7 The Sexy Filipino Name: Jordan Location: Bakersfield, Ca Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2008 (da black one) Posts: 312	Don't know if its a direct correlation but I noticed that my start up backfire happens consecutively when I haven't changed my oil for about 1000+ miles or so. As soon as I changed my oil the start up backfire goes away till it gets dirty again. Again, don't know if this is correlated but it is pattern I noticed.

March 4th, 2009, 01:00 PM	#18
Ramen Frak It Name: Sean Location: SWFL Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 199	Happened to me just a couple of days ago. Weather was around 45, and I started the stock bike without choke. It died because it needed choke, but I fired it up again with choke at full and it started fine. It's happened a couple of times now. Bike performs fine. I'm not worried about it.

March 4th, 2009, 01:07 PM	#19
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	09' with 2 Brothers exhaust, 2 shims, snorkel and kleen air removed. Backfired the other day. I use the choke when it's cold but otherwise it starts fine without it. Who knows... It persoanlly doesn't bother me. I don't reckon it'll hurt anything. Oh ya, I run premium in every tank. Which is like 93 or something like that around here.

March 4th, 2009, 01:09 PM	#20
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	CB- You can run premium in the bike w/o problems, but you do realize it's not helping anything with regards to power, correct? Recommended fuel is 87.

March 4th, 2009, 01:26 PM	#21
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Fully aware thanks. I prefer to run it to keep things a little cleaner on the insides. I've taken apart many engines and can tell a noticeable difference in the types of oil, gas and maintenance used. Personal preference really. The cost is negliable in my eyes. Maybe I just like being different. lol

March 4th, 2009, 04:28 PM	#22
devinjc ninjette.org member Name: James Location: Sacto Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 205 Black Posts: 44	How does higher octane keep things cleaner?

March 4th, 2009, 04:29 PM	#23
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	Yeah. Isn't it the detergents in the fuel that determine how clean it burns?

March 5th, 2009, 06:42 AM	#26
TnNinjaGirl Ms. Personality Name: CB Location: Murvill, TN Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): Depends on the week you ask Posts: A lot.	Hmm good point. It could be the engines I've taken apart that require the higher octane are high performance and are being used as such. Blowing all of the carbon and other dirt out of the intake, exhaust and other cavities. DIdn't really think of that. Revelation, I think so. Good job ya'll.