Suzuki Bandit 250 not starting in the cold.

[3L4NS1R]

My partner's bandit 250 was having starting issues last week (ie. not at all). It would turn over, but it wouldn't fire up. Even many tries at bump starting didn't get it going, so we took it into the shop and had it's carbs cleaned and tuned, and spark plugs replaced.

It worked like a charm, never seen the bike perform so well.

Partner had a few days off the bike, then when she went to start it up it was the same problem again. We replaced the fuel, and I managed to get it going with a few bump starts, and once going, it went fine. While the engine was warm, it was starting really easy, no choke or throttle. Had another try at it this morning, two bump starts couldn't get it going, then we gave up and heading to work 2-up on mine.

The battery is a month old and the choke cable about 2 months old (I get the feeling the choke can't be opened up as wide as the old cable allowed before it seized).

Any ideas on what it could be? Valves? Choke?

[Hopeful Bastard]

Never let it run outta petrol.. Damn things...

Other than that, mine is working fine :)

[The Everlasting]

I was just about to start a thread about a similiar problem this morning,then I saw this.

I went to try and start it this morning at 9ish,couldn't get it to start,gave up after about 5min to save the battery,used the scooter instead,got back tried it again,nothing.

Then I tried it again at around 3pm,got it started after a few cranks. After I had it warmed up started again easily.

I'm thinking whether it's possible that the condensation on the engine etc affects it being able to start? as it's been getting really cold over the last few days.

[GOONR]

I had loads of issues with the carbs on mine, had them pulled apart, cleaned, balanced, blah blah blah twice before it would behave itself. It can be a bit sluggish to start when it's cold and is prone to stalling immediately after it's started, 1 min running and it's all good. if it does stall then it's a bugger to start again after that.

[Neon]

Ahh. Sounds familiar. I would suspect your plugs are fouling. Depending on what grade of plug they have put in - probably CR8Es or CR9Es, you could have a problem when the weather gets cold or you do short trips where the bike doesn't really get up to temp (I mean a decent 20 minutes or so). That would explain why it was all good when they changed the plugs. Check with the shop what they put in - you could go to a hotter plug (i.e. CR7E) without a problem provided you don't give it death everywhere you go. I had a similar problem with my Hornet and hotter plugs fixed it good. :niceone:

Edit: It had me totally baffled. It would start fine in the morning, then I'd ride the (very short) ride to work, then in the afternoon when I went to leave it wouldn't start. Once started, no problem...

[3L4NS1R]

Ahh. Sounds familiar. I would suspect your plugs are fouling. Depending on what grade of plug they have put in - probably CR8Es or CR9Es, you could have a problem when the weather gets cold or you do short trips where the bike doesn't really get up to temp (I mean a decent 20 minutes or so). That would explain why it was all good when they changed the plugs. Check with the shop what they put in - you could go to a hotter plug (i.e. CR7E) without a problem provided you don't give it death everywhere you go. I had a similar problem with my Hornet and hotter plugs fixed it good. :niceone:

Edit: It had me totally baffled. It would start fine in the morning, then I'd ride the (very short) ride to work, then in the afternoon when I went to leave it wouldn't start. Once started, no problem...

Sweet, she's fairly new to biking, so she doesn't race it everywhere (ok maybe occasionally), so that might be the way to go!

[GOONR]

Ahh. Sounds familiar. I would suspect your plugs are fouling. Depending on what grade of plug they have put in - probably CR8Es or CR9Es, you could have a problem when the weather gets cold or you do short trips where the bike doesn't really get up to temp (I mean a decent 20 minutes or so). That would explain why it was all good when they changed the plugs. Check with the shop what they put in - you could go to a hotter plug (i.e. CR7E) without a problem provided you don't give it death everywhere you go. I had a similar problem with my Hornet and hotter plugs fixed it good. :niceone:

Edit: It had me totally baffled. It would start fine in the morning, then I'd ride the (very short) ride to work, then in the afternoon when I went to leave it wouldn't start. Once started, no problem...


Sweet, she's fairly new to biking, so she doesn't race it everywhere (ok maybe occasionally), so that might be the way to go!

That is a fair point, when I had the prob with the carbs I was asked if I keep it reving high, I didn't cause I was used to cars but these suckers like to rev high. I drop it a gear lower than I used to now and it is much happier, I guess it keeps the plugs clear and the like.

[BobbieBandit]

3L4NS1R

I've tried covering it with blanket, tried to warm it up with the heater, pet talk.
Nurturing FAIL.

[Hopeful Bastard]

It can be a bit sluggish to start when it's cold and is prone to stalling immediately after it's started, 1 min running and it's all good. if it does stall then it's a bugger to start again after that.

YES!!!!

Fucking things...

[Gibbo89]

3L4NS1R

I've tried covering it with blanket, tried to warm it up with the heater, pet talk.
Nurturing FAIL.

blankets probly aren't the best thing, if the blanket gets wet then the bike gets wet anyway. bike covers or i guess a tarporline are the way to go. keeps the wet and frost off, better thn a cuddly wee blanket.

[breakaway]

Are you giving it any throttle when starting?

[3L4NS1R]

Are you giving it any throttle when starting?

yup, about quarter throttle usually, but have been trying it with varying amounts...

[GOONR]

yup, about quarter throttle usually, but have been trying it with varying amounts...

I use no throttle or choke until it catches then just a tiny amount of throttle to keep it alive till I set off.

[3L4NS1R]

I use no throttle or choke until it catches then just a tiny amount of throttle to keep it alive till I set off.

wow, no choke even in cold temperatures? that's crazy talk! but hmmmm... clutching at straws here, so worth a try!

[breakaway]

Every carbed bike I've owned, I never used throttle when starting it from cold. I just chuck the choke on maximum, and then crank it over and it fires up no problems. Carbed bikes I've owned include CBR250RR, RGV150, SV650S, CBR400RR. GSX-R 600.

If I tried to start em with throttle, they would have a fuckin bitch and not start, and end up flooding so I have to give the battery a hard time.

Try it with 100% choke, no throttle next morning. Should be fine.

[GOONR]

wow, no choke even in cold temperatures? that's crazy talk! but hmmmm... clutching at straws here, so worth a try!

yup, even with this chill I haven't used the choke.

My mechanic told me that these things are notorious for being a bit of a pig to start unless you know how your bike likes it, no choke, a tiny bit of choke blah blah blah....

I guess I'm lucky, just press the button, a few little blips to keep it alive and I'm off.

[Gibbo89]

all bikes seem to have their own characteristics when it comes to this, just a matter of trying a few things till one works for you.

there's been some good tips so far from other bandit owners who seem to know a thing or two.

[3L4NS1R]

yup, even with this chill I haven't used the choke.

My mechanic told me that these things are notorious for being a bit of a pig to start unless you know how your bike likes it, no choke, a tiny bit of choke blah blah blah....

I guess I'm lucky, just press the button, a few little blips to keep it alive and I'm off.

Hmmm... this hypothesis must be tested... cheers!

[wysper]

Every carbed bike I've owned, I never used throttle when starting it from cold. I just chuck the choke on maximum, and then crank it over and it fires up no problems. Carbed bikes I've owned include CBR250RR, RGV150, SV650S, CBR400RR. GSX-R 600.

If I tried to start em with throttle, they would have a fuckin bitch and not start, and end up flooding so I have to give the battery a hard time.

Try it with 100% choke, no throttle next morning. Should be fine.

Yep, +1 on this for me. When using choke, no throttle. I am sure there are some occasions or bikes that this doesn't work for but generally seems to be true.

The DR is the first single I have owned. It seems to take longer to fire than the V-Twins and Fours I have owned. Does anyone know if this is generally true of singles?

i.e. Push the starter and it takes a while of turning over before firing up.

[Sauerkraut]

I've got a '92 Bandit 250 which can be a pig to get going sometimes. Mine seems to dislike the damp (a lot of the time it starts fine on cold days but on humid ones it is a bitch) case in point I parked it down by the waterfront a few nights ago and it was quite damp. Sat for five minutes and I had to pull the choke out all the way to make it start.

I usually just pull the choke out all the way, crack the throttle just the tiniest bit and then try the starter.

[Phreak]

My CBR250RR prefers full choke no throttle on cold mornings, for some reason. I don't argue, I just do it. Lol

[CookMySock]

Try halving the spark plug gap, or using hotter spark plugs.

Steve

[miloking]

My bandit 400 was also pig to start in a winter..and it was garaged, but after the years i figured out exactly how to fiddle the choke just right while cranking and pretty much worked all the time...but nothing beats keeping it in warm garage, as they tend to get moisture in tank/carbs otherwise.

[3L4NS1R]

started up tonight with no choke or throttle, but it may have been still slightly warm though from the ride home in the afternoon. Getting a new oil filter and doing an oil change tomorrow, then if the problem persists, will look at the hotter spark plug option. Kind of reluctant for that because it's just had new spark plugs put in last week :( ah well, as long as I can use the semi old ones in my klr I'm happy...

[3L4NS1R]

Righto, problem seems to be solved. Changed the oil, cleaned all the connections, and now use no choke when starting. Also found that one of the bolts for the cover for the starter motor is missing - will replace that at the next possible moment, could solve the suspected condensation problem. Any one know if there's also meant to be a gasket for that cover too?

[GOONR]

Righto, problem seems to be solved. Changed the oil, cleaned all the connections, and now use no choke when starting. Also found that one of the bolts for the cover for the starter motor is missing - will replace that at the next possible moment, could solve the suspected condensation problem. Any one know if there's also meant to be a gasket for that cover too?

No choke isn't crazy talk aye, no idea about the gasket though. If no one knows I'll have a look at mine for ya.