Won't run without choke and dies when given throttle

[Kryptykcloudz]

Just purchased a 2009 ninja 250r from what I understand the bike was sitting for a couple months maybe a year. It ran fine last time the seller rode it from what I'm told. It's very clean definitely has not been dropped or anything. Here's what it's doing.... started out not wanting to idle I have now gotten it to idle at full choke after changing the spark plugs, however if I move the choke even a little it will shut off. Also shuts off when I try to ease into the throttle in neutral or otherwise, but if I give the throttle a couple cranks I can get it to Rev in neutral and accelerate in gear. Not sure what's causing all this. This is my first streetbike and I'm hoping I didn't get screwed here and that it's something relatively easy to sort out. Let me know if you need anymore info. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Motofool]

Welcome, Nicolas !!!

Congratulations on the new bike

The carbs are dirty and will need full disassembly and deep cleaning.

The air filter may need some attention as well.

Something to read:
http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Intake

[jkv45]

And if you haven't drained the tank and floatbowls completely you are trying to run it on old gas - which isn't going to help it run well.

There may be carb work needed to get it running right, but you need to start with a completely dry fuel system and then add fresh gas. (87 octane non-ethanol is the best choice if available).

Don't be worried, it's a common issue when a cycle has been sitting and not properly stored.

[ducatiman]

OP reports classic symptoms of plugged pilot circuits

[Z1R rider]

Originally Posted by ducatiman

OP reports classic symptoms of plugged pilot circuits

A video that helps explain

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/mo...c-garage-video

[Kryptykcloudz]

How difficult is the removal and cleaning process of the carbs? I'm fairly mechanically inclined at least as far as cars go, this is my first time working on a bike.

[ducatiman]

not easy to predict difficulty, corrosive effects of humidity, ethanol, storage conditions, prior owner abuse (overtightening stuff, stripping, mauling pilot jet heads)...all can combine to determine actual condition of metals, threads, fasteners, etc.

I see a lot of carb sets...ya never know what you'll find in there.

Some routine, some tricky, some complicated, some a downright b***h

Worst nightmare...removal of pilot jets via drilling and easy out. Peripheral damage to be carefully avoided....nerve wracking! On the right a Mikuni BST33 from a bank of 4...90's vintage...tricky R&R and synchronization. The little voice inside my head said "work slowly, one at a time, Gordo."

[Kryptykcloudz]

Took carbs off and cleaned the heck out of them still having the same problem. The throttle is slightly better. Still won't run with the choke off.

[ForceofWill]

Originally Posted by Kryptykcloudz

Took carbs off and cleaned the heck out of them still having the same problem. The throttle is slightly better. Still won't run with the choke off.

The cleaning you can do with a paper towel and cans of carb cleaner isn't the same as sending them to someone like Gordon. Works for minor gunk, but they probably need to be sonic cleaned and ran all the way through at this point.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Kryptykcloudz

Took carbs off and cleaned the heck out of them still having the same problem. The throttle is slightly better. Still won't run with the choke off.

As others have noted, carb cleaning isn't quite as easy as most people think.

Unless you remove everything and clean the passages properly, then adjust everything to the proper settings, you may still have problems.

There's a lot to doing it right. You can always send them to ducatiman (Gordon) and have them professionally cleaned and adjusted. If you do a search you will see that he has lots of satisfied customers here.

[ducatiman]

^We frequently read "carbs are easy"....not necessarily, not by a long shot.
ty for kind words, @jkv45 and @ForceofWill.

Also note, I'm an active member here and a fellow enthusiast. I'm always accessible.
You're not dealing with a distant stranger on Ebay.

[Ghostt]

Letting Ducatiman do your carbs is money and time well spent. He has the knowledge and equipment to do an excellent job, and the only person I trust doing mine.

[Kryptykcloudz]

Thanks everyone for all the info and advice. After weighing the cost of sonic cleaning vs ordering a new carb, I decided to go with ordering one. It's been installed successfully and the bike is running like a champ. I'm loving it, riding every chance I get!! Just wanted to give everyone an update.

Thanks again!!!

[Triple Jim]

What's one Ninja 250 carb go for these days?

[Kryptykcloudz]

Was both of them lol missed the s. And as for cost was right at $140

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by Kryptykcloudz

Was both of them lol missed the s. And as for cost was right at $140

Wow, for new ones? Are they originals or copies? Who's the seller?

[Kryptykcloudz]

They are original but not BRAND NEW have very low miles and come from a licensed dismantler can go back and see who the seller is. But no they are not copies.

[Triple Jim]

Thanks...that's OK, I take it they were an eBay purchase then. I just wondered if someone was selling new carbs that cheap.

[YoungReezy619]

I’m having this same issue but carbs have been recently cleaned and fuel is fresh.

[ducatiman]

i'd suggest checking petcock function, + all vac hoses

a pro carb clean, or ?

[YoungReezy619]

Yeah I took it to a shop and they cleaned it.

[ducatiman]

with same results? dying upon application of throttle?

I'll submit *something* was missed or overlooked

[YoungReezy619]

Yeah I had them check it out/ clean it because it was leaking down into the crank case. Now that I got it back it only runs on choke. So you think they missed something or didn’t clean it good enough.

[ducatiman]

specifically...likely somewhere within the idle circuits/transition ports

Possibly a hose ajar?

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by YoungReezy619

Yeah I had them check it out/ clean it because it was leaking down into the crank case. Now that I got it back it only runs on choke. So you think they missed something or didn’t clean it good enough.

If they charged you to clean the carbs, they missed something, didn't clean it good, had no idea what they were doing, or ripped you off.

Either way, it should run when you get it back.

Don't these Techs check their work? How many times has this happened when taking it to a "professional" shop?

That's why we recommend doing the work yourself, or pulling the carbs and sending them to ducatiman.

A really competent shop/tech is rare these days. Any "professional" that doesn't confirm that they actually fixed a problem isn't a pro.

Did they rebuild or replace the petcock? Because that's part of the problem as well.

[YoungReezy619]

I’ll double check the hoses but I’m pretty sure there’s all good. And yeah imma go back and tell they need to make this **** wrk. Ducatiman how much do you charge if I sent them to you?

[ducatiman]

PM a'comin' however... you really need to finalize it with the dealer involved.

An aside...what was the age of the mechanic who did your cleaning?

[YoungReezy619]

Not sure, he has white hair tho. So he was prob up there in age.

[ducatiman]

hmmm, surprising

[jkv45]

Most shops probably don't have the right equipment to do the job properly, even if the Tech is experienced.

Not many young Techs can completely disassemble, properly clean, reassemble, and adjust a carb these days.

[YoungReezy619]

Yeah prob gonna end up sending it to ducatiman.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by YoungReezy619

Yeah prob gonna end up sending it to ducatiman.

Since you already paid to have it fixed, I'd take it back and tell them to fix it right. If they can't, they need to refund whatever they charged you for the carb work.

If you send it to ducatiman you will get it back looking and functioning like new - or actually better in some ways.

[Sandr]

https://imgur.com/9WKxgZn

Problem: I lived in NY so 8 months of the year the bike was in the garage covered up. only has 9k miles on it, driven very lightly.

My 09 Ninja 250r Idles great when the choke is on. When i press the accelerator 10-15% the rpms drop until the bike stalls. At first i thought it was a dirty carb so i disassembled it several times cleaned and put them back in. Same issue.

FIX:The circled hose was ever so slightly stretched out and would not fit snug, even with better hose clamps on it. I swapped out the hose with a 1mm smaller one to guarantee it fits and put on new hose clamps for insurance and it fixed my problem.

The bike is a little jumpy at low speeds, but on Highway speed it runs perfectly. i suspect a minor tuning is in order