Cooling System Issues

AlfredoGonzalez · December 31st, 2012, 09:16 AM

I have noticed this problem get progressively worse, very slowly though.

When I start my bike, I open the choke and turn her on. Once she's running, I lower the choke just enough to keep the bike running. From what I understand it should only take a minute or two for the bike to warm up enough to turn the choke off but that isn't true in my case. I've also read that a simple ride around the block should be more than sufficient to warm it up, but that also isnt true. It takes about 3 miles of riding (or 5-10 minutes) before the bike will warm up enough for me to turn the choke off. (If i turn it off before the bike warms up then obviously it dies, but this can take up to 10 minutes)

This is starting to bother me recently because lately it's getting very cold where I live. My phone marked the temp at 37 this morning when I got off work, but there was ice on my car so I suspect it was a tad colder. As I ride the super cool air will no doubt cool the engine even more than usual.

My first thought is that I have a thermostat stuck open. But I'm open to any other thoughts.

allanoue · December 31st, 2012, 09:33 AM

Once it is warmed up, it runs normal?

AlfredoGonzalez · December 31st, 2012, 09:35 AM

Works just fine once it's warm.

DaBlue1 · December 31st, 2012, 09:45 AM

The Ninja 250's are very cold blooded and can take a good while to warm up especially when temps are close to freezing. As the temps get lower you will find that it takes a little more time for it to warm up. So it is not uncommon for it to take a few miles or more for it to reach operating temp. Keep in mind that every bike is different so results will vary from bike to bike, area to area.

One thing that most riders do not figure into ambient temp is wind chill. Wind speed can dramatically drop temps quickly, which adds to the engine warm up times. As long as you are not suffering from carb icing, you should be OK. Also having the ability to store the bike inside can keep the bike 20-30 degrees warmer, which can make a difference in initial warm up. Also blipping the throttle during the warm up can help in warming up the bike as well.

rojoracing53 · December 31st, 2012, 10:10 AM

If your worried about your cooling system keeping the bike cold then how about installing a thermo-bob thermostats bypass valve. Right now its 34degs on my commute into work and before the thermo-bob it ran at 135degs and now its at 180degs. I'm on a 2008 model so it may be different but I never have to use my choke at all, my bike starts up and idles at around 7-800rpms for the first minute then quickly rises to above 1000. If your going to ride your bike in cold weather I highly recommend the thermo-bob, but you poor running condition must be carbs or valves.

My friend has the same year as me but totally stock and suffers from same if not quite so extream poor running conditions. My bike has a full Leo Vince exhaust and stage 2 dinojet setup, this may also be why my bike never needs the choke. This also supports the theory of a needed air fuel ratio adjustment.

allanoue · December 31st, 2012, 10:25 AM

Your problem is one of the reasons I will be getting a Ninja 300 soon. My 500 does warm up a mile or two sooner then my 2fiddy did. It is still a pain.

Motofool · December 31st, 2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfredoGonzalez

.........My first thought is that I have a thermostat stuck open...........

.........or non-existing.

During warm up, there should not be any flow or turbulence observable through the radiator neck (cap previously removed).

If the T-stat is working properly, then your carbs are producing a lean mix or the passages of your choke are clogged.

lgk · January 4th, 2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

If your worried about your cooling system keeping the bike cold then how about installing a thermo-bob thermostats bypass valve. Right now its 34degs on my commute into work and before the thermo-bob it ran at 135degs and now its at 180degs. I'm on a 2008 model so it may be different but I never have to use my choke at all, my bike starts up and idles at around 7-800rpms for the first minute then quickly rises to above 1000. If your going to ride your bike in cold weather I highly recommend the thermo-bob, but you poor running condition must be carbs or valves.

My friend has the same year as me but totally stock and suffers from same if not quite so extream poor running conditions. My bike has a full Leo Vince exhaust and stage 2 dinojet setup, this may also be why my bike never needs the choke. This also supports the theory of a needed air fuel ratio adjustment.

i got a thermobob unit as well, and had the same results before going to EFI.

lgk · January 4th, 2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allanoue

Your problem is one of the reasons I will be getting a Ninja 300 soon. My 500 does warm up a mile or two sooner then my 2fiddy did. It is still a pain.

the 300s cooling system seems to be the same design as the 250...
EFI will help you start and ride, but it'll still be a slow warm up.

you'll probably need to get an EFI tuner and a thermobob to have the bike run well in the cold.

December 31st, 2012, 09:16 AM	#1
AlfredoGonzalez Freyho Name: Alfredo Location: Paramount, CA Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): CBR600 f4i, 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 182	Cooling System Issues I have noticed this problem get progressively worse, very slowly though. When I start my bike, I open the choke and turn her on. Once she's running, I lower the choke just enough to keep the bike running. From what I understand it should only take a minute or two for the bike to warm up enough to turn the choke off but that isn't true in my case. I've also read that a simple ride around the block should be more than sufficient to warm it up, but that also isnt true. It takes about 3 miles of riding (or 5-10 minutes) before the bike will warm up enough for me to turn the choke off. (If i turn it off before the bike warms up then obviously it dies, but this can take up to 10 minutes) This is starting to bother me recently because lately it's getting very cold where I live. My phone marked the temp at 37 this morning when I got off work, but there was ice on my car so I suspect it was a tad colder. As I ride the super cool air will no doubt cool the engine even more than usual. My first thought is that I have a thermostat stuck open. But I'm open to any other thoughts.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[visordown.com] - New RG introduce range of coloured cooling system guards	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	October 28th, 2014 08:30 AM
Cooling issue...	braaap	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	42	May 5th, 2014 10:14 AM
Cooling Issues	FvnnyL3tt3r1ng	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	158	July 11th, 2013 06:45 AM
fun with cooling system, and wiring a fan switch	marc_previtera	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	5	June 17th, 2013 07:03 PM

December 31st, 2012, 09:33 AM	#2
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	Once it is warmed up, it runs normal?

December 31st, 2012, 09:35 AM	#3
AlfredoGonzalez Freyho Name: Alfredo Location: Paramount, CA Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): CBR600 f4i, 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 182	Works just fine once it's warm.

December 31st, 2012, 09:45 AM	#4
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	The Ninja 250's are very cold blooded and can take a good while to warm up especially when temps are close to freezing. As the temps get lower you will find that it takes a little more time for it to warm up. So it is not uncommon for it to take a few miles or more for it to reach operating temp. Keep in mind that every bike is different so results will vary from bike to bike, area to area. One thing that most riders do not figure into ambient temp is wind chill. Wind speed can dramatically drop temps quickly, which adds to the engine warm up times. As long as you are not suffering from carb icing, you should be OK. Also having the ability to store the bike inside can keep the bike 20-30 degrees warmer, which can make a difference in initial warm up. Also blipping the throttle during the warm up can help in warming up the bike as well.

December 31st, 2012, 10:10 AM	#5
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	If your worried about your cooling system keeping the bike cold then how about installing a thermo-bob thermostats bypass valve. Right now its 34degs on my commute into work and before the thermo-bob it ran at 135degs and now its at 180degs. I'm on a 2008 model so it may be different but I never have to use my choke at all, my bike starts up and idles at around 7-800rpms for the first minute then quickly rises to above 1000. If your going to ride your bike in cold weather I highly recommend the thermo-bob, but you poor running condition must be carbs or valves. My friend has the same year as me but totally stock and suffers from same if not quite so extream poor running conditions. My bike has a full Leo Vince exhaust and stage 2 dinojet setup, this may also be why my bike never needs the choke. This also supports the theory of a needed air fuel ratio adjustment.

December 31st, 2012, 10:25 AM	#6
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	Your problem is one of the reasons I will be getting a Ninja 300 soon. My 500 does warm up a mile or two sooner then my 2fiddy did. It is still a pain.