Is slightly rough idle normal?

[iLight]

GSX600F. I was riding it around yesterday and my father took it for a roll. We were listening to it and were wondering if slightly rough idol is normal. We figured it was because alot of high performance machines. And yes I do consider mine high performance:scooter:. Just was wondering if it's normal. Also we checked the plugs awhile ago and the porcelain was black. Not sure if this means it needs a carb adjustment. Any thoughts or suggestions?
:rockon:

[yungatart]

Could be running rich at idle....idlejets to be adjusted...or air filter needs replace/clean. GSX not a high performance engine - that's the GSXR. GSX do go well tho...
MSTRS on the wrong login

[iLight]

Has 4 carbs.

[MSTRS]

Yep. I think the newest 06 model is fuel injected?? I had a test ride on one a few weeks ago & they do go well. But I still wouldn't class them as a performance engine.

[iLight]

It's an '02

[T.W.R]

could be your pilot jets but most likely your air/fuel mix screw and depending where you are in the states you might have to take it to a mechanic to get it fixed ( if your in california ) as the screws are usually covered by a metal cap so it can't be fiddled with.
Some bikes are rough idlers its just the nature of the beast. but your plug colour means theres something not quite right. ideal colour is a caramel/tan brownish shade on the ceramic isolator.

[MSTRS]

Main jets are a possiblity, if the bike has had an after-market exhaust and jets to suit fitted AND THEN exhaust only changed back to factory...? The main jets will be larger than reqd in that case.

[Lou Girardin]

If the centre electrode is black, it's running rich. Check that the enrichment rod on the carbs is returning fully when off.

[MikeyG]

With unleaded petrol electrode colour doesn't mean as much as it used to. If it a a thick wet deposit there could be problems with the rings/burning oil.

[MSTRS]

With unleaded petrol ...
That is a point. The poster is in the States - are they still leaded there?

[Pwalo]

Your symptoms seem common for an American market bike. Probably find that the idle screws on the carbs are blanked off, and you pilot jets are a wee bit on the small side (compared to other countries models).

You can get the covers drilled out so you can adjust you idle mixture, and see what other GSXF riders are doing.

Check out Katana Planet on the webby thingy. Should be lots of dodgy info there.