'06 GN250 engine probs

[robertvi]

I'm having a few problems with a newly bought '06 GN250 (yes I know, caveat emptor :D). I ran the battery down trying to start her a few days ago (doh!). I bought a trickle charger and revived the battery to a healthy voltage, but she still wouldn't go. Pulled out the spark plug and found it covered in black soot (the spark test gave some sparks, though possibly not on every rev):

198816

The manual says the ceramic tip should be light brown. After cleaning with a tooth brush and knife blade the spark was looking stronger. Now she's starting and seems to run okay, but am still wondering what caused that much soot to build up?

The first time the engine started after cleaning the plug (choke out) the revs went up to 3500rpm with the throttle fully closed, and only went down when I pushed the choke fully back in. This happened once before a few days ago (probably with the choke out too). With choke in, idle revs went down to 1250 which is normal. Are the high revs something to be concerned about?

Cheers,
Rob

[ralley]

Black sooty plugs typically mean your mixture is too rich. Here's a good reference: http://www.dansmc.com/spark_plugs/spark_plugs_catalog.html.
Rob.

[The Pastor]

are you riding with the choke on?

[Bald Eagle]

are you riding with the choke on?

Isn't that what's used to hang the handbag on ?

[The Pastor]

Isn't that what's used to hang the handbag on ?

the choke on this bike is on the carb, not the handlebar. So no.

[robertvi]

yes I think I left the choke on the first few times I used it (I was just practising stopping and starting on the driveway), so that probably explains it, thanks!

...and *thanks* for the reference link :)

[FROSTY]

plug looking like that most likely is from choke. Also its a sorry cycle. Choke means oily means hard starting means choke.
Spend $5.00 for a new plug -I promise it isn't wasted money