First Motorbike, starting issues (?)

[Guest]

I got my first motorcycle a little while ago. A little 125, brand new. It works fine. It's had its warranty check up and all was fine.

This could be such a stupid questions/issue :/

The issue I have is this: when I start my bike I always have to put on the choke and (gently!) rev the engine for about 5 minutes until I can take my hand off the throttle and it can tick over (terminology?) on its own. If I don't do this the bike instantly cuts out.

But after the bike is warm it runs perfectly and never stalls.

I thought this was normal.

However, I've noticed others turning their bikes on, it ticking over and warming itself up while they put on their gear, walk around, smoke etc. But I'm sitting there having to rev mine otherwise it dies. And sometimes I have to be lightning quick - press the start button and quickly turn the throttle or it cuts within a second. I've noticed a few riders watching me when I'm sitting on my bike gently revving it ... as if I'm doing something notable or strange (). It seems strange to me that they don't have to rev their engine to warm it up. There is no way I can just turn the ignition on and stroll away while it takes care of itself.

I CAN turn it on and instantly ride the bike and just keep revving the engine gently when I slow down or stop until the engine is warm. But what perplexes me is the people who can turn the bike on and it runs without dying and without revving.

I thought it was because I had a little 125 but saw a fellow climb on his 125 after getting off the train and just riding off. There's me... still gently revving mine...

What am I doing wrong? Is there a problem with the bike? I don't really want to ask the people at the shop because it's clearly a stupid question: Hi, I can't start my bike...'.

Thank you to anyone who can help!

(I'm really sorry if this is a repeat of a question already posed, I've not used a forum before and I couldn't find a post that was as ... ignorant (?) as this! Most people seem to be having genuine starting problems or stalling problems that aren't quite like this ^^.)

[Mr Fro]

Hulloh!

How much choke are you giving it? If you're whacking it full on then you might be giving it too much so opening the throttle will essentially lean the mixture out until the engine can run - you shouldn't need full choke at this time of year anyway.

Maybe try starting it while gradually increasing how much choke you give it until it'll start and run in it's own. I know that for mine, if I give it any more than half choke it will just laugh at me and refuse to start.

[Guest]

Hi! Thanks for the reply.

 

How much choke are you giving it?

 

At first I try with nothing at all and it dies instantly. Then I try with choke half on and invariably it dies but sometimes it's ok if I rev very quickly (as press the start switch and then rev like crazy). If I don't open the choke up completely and then rev it it simply won't run. Once it's warm it's fine.

 

if I give it any more than half choke it will just laugh at me and refuse to start.

Ha, if I don't give mine full choke then it laughs at me and refuses to start.

When it's been hot outside it's started without the choke but still, it simply won't stay on unless I rev it for a good couple of mins.

No matter the situation or the weather - I can't ever just press the start button and the bike stays on, ticking over. It cuts out every time unless I rev it until it's warm.

For ages I thought this was how it was with bikes, until I saw that others don't do it :/

Is that not right then?

[Tango]

I'm afraid it's just what some bikes do.... We have a YBR125 that starts on choke no problems......but if you dare touch the throttle within 5 mins of starting it just dies......and this seems to be a common thing with the YBR....

Mr Fro is right.....it could just be that it's just too much choke for the weather conditions.....so, a little experimentation may be required....

[Bonniebird]

Also, newer bikes will be fuel injected and don't have chokes, the computer controls the fuel delivery

[Guest]

As suggested, you are creating the lean mix by giving it throttle.

My R6 requires full choke and sometimes I'm on the starter button for a good 7seconds before i dare to remove my thumb. Any hard throttle will increase the air and cut out the engine and if done for long enough, i have flooded the carbs.

I just stick the choke on full, hammer the starter, leave it to settle until I rev

[Guest]

I'm afraid it's just what some bikes do

Oh I see. That makes me feel better I have nothing to compare it to - no friends or family or neighbours with bikes. I could ask in the shop but the internet is less embarrassing ha ha

 

it could just be that it's just too much choke for the weather conditions

I see what you're saying - and I know that can be the case. I have flooded it in the past. However, the issue I have is that without the choke it won't start at all.

I went out on the bike this morning at 10. It's 6 now. I just tried to start it (simply pressing the on switch) and it makes the start noise and then cuts instantly. Without the choke it simply flips me the bird.

It's cool if that's normal - I just wanted to check though because people watch me when I do it like 'Look at that stupid girl, what the hell is she doing?'

Bit paranoid about it now! lol

[Guest]

If you flood it, open thr throttle full for a good minute, let the air in, then close the throttle and press the starter. On the occasions I've flooded it, it started first time that way.

[Guest]

If you flood it, open thr throttle full for a good minute, let the air in, then close the throttle and press the starter. On the occasions I've flooded it, it started first time that way.

 

That really good to know! When I've flooded it in the past I've just looked forlorn and gone back indoors to wait until it's sorted itself out lol. Good tip!

[Guest]

Here for example:

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This chap just presses the start button and the bike starts and runs. Mine will not do this. I press that start button and unless I rev the bike seconds after and continue to do this for a couple of minutes the bike will not stay on.

Even if I hold the start button down for ages it won't stay on unless I open the throttle and rev the engine.

If I don't use the choke then 9 times out of 10 even revving it won't keep it on, it revs for a second then cuts out.

The bike will not stay on unless I the open the choke, press the start button, quickly rev and continue to rev until it's warm. The second I take my hand off the throttle it cuts out dead.

[Guest]

Try this:

1) Open choke to full.

2) Leave the throttle to closed.

3) Press the start button.

4) Leave it once started on full choke for 15-20s.

Does it stay on?

[Guest]

Try this:

1) Open choke to full.

2) Leave the throttle to closed.

3) Press the start button.

4) Leave it once started on full choke for 15-20s.

Does it stay on?

 

YES! I just did it! Whoo hoo!

At first it seemed unsure but I kept my finger down on the start and it caught on and turned over on it's own without me touching the throttle. After about 20 seconds it started to die a bit and I thought it would cut out so I turned off the choke and it picked up even more (I'm not sure why that is... must be a reason). I left it on, made a quick tea, went outside and it's still running!

You have no idea how awesome that it. The idea I can turn it on and walk away to get my stuff is great. In the past I've had to add 15 minutes to every journey because I've had to sit on the bike and rev it.

I really appreciate the help, truly. Thanks so much.

Is it supposed to sound a little 'chuggy'? It's a 125, I can't expect it to sound like a ... *insert name of a much bigger cooler bike*

Thanks all for help and advice and not for laughing

[Guest]

It's probably just how it is... as said above, newer models with FI sort themselves out but the choke will restrict air to the carbs so probably after it's had a rich mixture of fuel to get it started, it just needs to go back to a normal mix, hence why it started to run better when you closed the choke.

Now you found that out, it won't take you long and you'll know exactly what to do to start it 1st time and get it running as you need it to

[Guest]

It's probably just how it is... as said above, newer models with FI sort themselves out but the choke will restrict air to the carbs so probably after it's had a rich mixture of fuel to get it started, it just needs to go back to a normal mix, hence why it started to run better when you closed the choke.

Now you found that out, it won't take you long and you'll know exactly what to do to start it 1st time and get it running as you need it to

 

Thanks so much Phil! So glad I asked now.