Jack5r Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I recently bought a 2003 Hornet, with a 2006 reg and only 12k miles. If I use full choke and time a large blip of the throttle a second after I turn on the ignition it starts fine. However, this morning I tried to start it on half choke with less throttle (in a rush), and it idled for 2 seconds and then cut out. From then on I couldn't start the engine, even with full choke and a push start. This has happened twice now. The bike also only runs with half choke once warm. If I take choke off fully the bike will cut out. This doesn't seem acceptable for a fairly new bike. Any ideas? One of the reason I bought a Hornet is because I was told they are really reliable! After my Derbi GPR 125 I wanted a reliable machine.. Also, can I damage the bike if I start with full choke and then continue to ride for an hour with full choke, forgetting to lower it? I have done this a few times and so I am worried I may have damaged it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fro Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I recently bought a 2003 Hornet, with a 2006 reg and only 12k miles. If I use full choke and time a large blip of the throttle a second after I turn on the ignition it starts fine. However, this morning I tried to start it on half choke with less throttle (in a rush), and it idled for 2 seconds and then cut out. From then on I couldn't start the engine, even with full choke and a push start. This has happened twice now. The bike also only runs with half choke once warm. If I take choke off fully the bike will cut out. This doesn't seem acceptable for a fairly new bike. Any ideas? One of the reason I bought a Hornet is because I was told they are really reliable! After my Derbi GPR 125 I wanted a reliable machine.. Also, can I damage the bike if I start with full choke and then continue to ride for an hour with full choke, forgetting to lower it? I have done this a few times and so I am worried I may have damaged it?Fairly new? It's a dozen years old! With a 2006 plate? Hmmm...Have you tried starting it with no choke and no throttle? Shouldn't really need choke at this time of year.I'm surprised you managed an hour riding it with the choke full on - must have felt like a bag of turds. Are you sure you're using it the right way round (the choke, not the bike)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack5r Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 Ok maybe it isn't that new, but it shouldn't be having problems starting in decent weather at this age..Is having a 2003 model with a 2006 plate that strange?No it needs a choke to start unless I have just jumped back on it after already riding it. I was under the impression that hornets should always be started with the choke lever down. Yeah it felt fine with the choke lever down fully for that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mailee66 Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Mine is a 98 hornet and I use full choke to start without any throttle, after about 40 to 60 seconds I take the choke off and ride, works every time for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Old Git Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Jet settings? Mixture screw? Clogged air filter?Ha it been like this from when you bought it? If so - speak with the last owner. If not, when did you first notice it (afer servicing? after a refuel?).Full choke should only be required on initial start and, in this weather, you should be able to remove the choke after less than a minute and the bike idle OK.Your earlier comment regarding trying to bump start with full choke after it 'died' on half choke - This was probably due to it being 'flooded' - next time, bump start with NO choke and just a little throttle and only apply choke if the bike starts and dies when you pull the clutch in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NearOn Posted May 29, 2015 Share Posted May 29, 2015 Does seem rather odd it's made in 03 and on an 06 plate, sure it isn't a personal number plate orImported to the UK in 2006? I certainly would have questioned this before buying it.In regards to the choke, on both hornets I've owned start with full choke, after a few minutes turn it off, simples. If that isn't working, the idle screw might need adjusting first before looking further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack5r Posted June 8, 2015 Author Share Posted June 8, 2015 I am still having issues. It wouldn't start last week and so I got a garage to come pick it up. Everyday of that week the mechanic started the bike with no issues. The garage thought it was due to the battery overcharing and so replaced a part which cost £70 and £50 for labour! It hasn't helped...I've got the bike back and started it 5 times with no issues, but then this morning it wouldn't start. I actually started it at 7:15 to make sure it was working, no issue. I then started it again at 7:30 with all my gear on. And it wouldn't start! I honestly can't afford to keep taking it to the garage so I am stuck with what to do. The last owner claims it is a new issue but I think he is lying.. It has been having this issue since I bought it. The bike has had a lot of previous owners as well so it may have been an issue for some time.What the hell could it be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NearOn Posted June 8, 2015 Share Posted June 8, 2015 Are you starting it with full choke? What noise is it making when try to start it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldie59 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 If the mechanic started it every day no problem, then it must be down to something you are doing wrong methinks. Go back to the garage and ask them to show you the proper way to start it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack5r Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 I start it the same way every time. It just seems completely random. 1 in every 10-15 times it doesn't work.I start it with full choke yeah. When it starts normally I press the On button followed by a twist of the throttle and hear the engine rev loudly and then it idles, ticking over nicely at around 2rpm. When it doesn't start, I press the on button, hear the usual electrical sound you first hear when you press the on button, but then the engine does not rev! All I hear from this point is the sound the On bottom makes when you press it. A sort of electrical chuck chuck chuck sound.. No engine sound kicks in, as the twist of the throttle does nothing, no revs . Once this happens the bike is fecked for quite some time. I have to go back hours later and then it starts up again. I've been using the choke correctly now with no issues. Choke on full to start and first few mins then it idles nicely at 1rpm with no choke. The better never cuts out whilst I'm driving or sitting in traffic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy Old Git Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 If you are restarting a few minutes after the bike was running (even 15 minutes if the engine was hot), you should not need to use the choke at all.Too much choke will 'flood' the engine and make starting very difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack5r Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Yeah cheers, I am aware of this now. There is a chance it could be down to this but I really don't think so the last two times it hasn't started the engine was fully cold. I am going to be very careful and take note of exactly what I do each time I start the bike to see if I can pin point any slight difference it my technique.It does very much seem random atm though and not down to my own technique, which is highly frustrating as every time I go to start the bike I am praying ha. Could me pulling in the clutch as I start make a difference?Even if I could just find a way to start it after it hasn't started, rather than having to wait hours. It would be very helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack5r Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Ok I'm making a youtube video so you guys can see what I mean. I just tried to start it and it didn't work. I then tried half choke and it still didn't work. Then no choke, still didn't work. Then back to full choke it it randomly worked!Vid should be up soon. Cheers for all the help lads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tango Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I'd leave the throttle alone when starting it........cold or hot......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack5r Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Ok maybe that is the issue. From the video you can see on my last attempt I wait to twist the throttle and it works. Which could be the issue... but then why does it work 9/10 times with my usual ON bottom + throttle technique hmmm..Here's the vid..https://youtu.be/XhtUQEkq5yE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 leave the throttle alone while trying to start it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack5r Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Ok will do! It still seems to be quite sensitive to flooding though does it not? I'm just looking around online and the technique people recommend if a bike does become flooded is to turn the choke off, open throttle wide and hold ON button down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 your opening the throttle wide when trying to start!! leave it alongif anything you may need a very little bit as is take the slack and just about 5mm more! and stop revving the nuts off it when cold your not going to do any favours to the engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack5r Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Ok thanks for the advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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