Honda CBR 250RR - issues starting on cold mornings

[steelphoenix]

Hi guys -

Just wanting to ask what seems like a dumb question - why is my bike having issues starting in the mornings? I have a new Honda CBR 250RR 1990 (MC22L). My previous bike, also an MC22L, had issues starting when it was cold. No issues once warm, and it doesn't have any problems when it isn't cold. Yes, I am using the choke.

I've previously ridden a GN250 2005 and a Scorpio 2010, and neither of these had issues starting, even when it was cold.

From what I can gather (books and internet), inline fours can be cold-blooded, as opposed to the single Ginny and Scorpio. That makes sense to me - it's a big hunk of metal to heat up. The Ginny is carbed, while the Scorpio is EFI - so it probably isn't the carbs.

Any tips and tricks to get her to start easier?

[nzspokes]

Do you give the throttle a couple of pumps before you start it? I need to on my one to get her to kick over and fire.

[steelphoenix]

Yeah, I do do that; I've successfully got it going, but the if I take my hand off the throttle it dies. I've tried lifting the idle, but that just leads to epic fail at traffic lights, being tooted at by cagers whilst fiddling around trying to turn it down. Even if I lift it only a little, once it's going and has run warm, the idle gets very high.

[nzspokes]

Sounds like your choke is miss adjusted our just not working. I would be checking that first.

[bsasuper]

Do these bikes have accelerator pumps?, If not then pumping the throttle before starting will have no effect.Try full choke and a small amount of throttle.How old are the sparkplugs?might need to put a new set in

[ducatilover]

Do these bikes have accelerator pumps?, If not then pumping the throttle before starting will have no effect.Try full choke and a small amount of throttle.

No accelerator pump on them.

Service the shit out of it, carb cleaning, check the needles for wear, valve clearances, clean the choke plungers etc etc etc It could be a whole host of things.

[tigertim20]

easiest fix is probably spending $50 on a decent cover, and keeping it covered at night, or wheeling it into a shed/under a carport or something.

[CRF119]

Every CBR250 i have had to fix has had some monkey playing with the carbys and normally they are full of gasket goo or just full of crap in general. I would say the chock isn't adjusted properly. If you not keen on pulling them apart then don't Orings and gaskets aren't cheap for them i had to make a set last time.

Try running a fuel additive that cleans the carby while you ride.

On my CBR900RR i normally turn the idle up 1 turn before i start it have choke on full and it starts first pop. If i don't turn the idle up it wont start. after about 3 minutes it should be warm enough to turn the idle back down. Most people i watch gear up start there bike and ride off. What id recommend is walk out to your bike start it then walk back inside and gear up. This gives it time to warm up.

[steelphoenix]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I'm not quite brave enough to rip the engine to pieces yet (though I will get around to it sooner rather than later - I'm fairly decent with things mechanical), but I will purchase a cover for her.

@CRF119 - That sounds like that might work (turn up idle, warm up, etc)... I'll see how it goes tomorrow morning.

[gijoe1313]

Stick a nice old blanky over her as well, read stories, a hug and pat ... works wonders!

[\m/]

It probably just needs to be warmed up, my GSF250 needs a few minutes to warm up on frosty mornings, especially when parked outside.

[ducatilover]

Forgot to mention, pilot screws may be set too far in. Pull them out half a turn and see if that sorts it out.

[p.dath]

Hi guys -

Just wanting to ask what seems like a dumb question - why is my bike having issues starting in the mornings? I have a new Honda CBR 250RR 1990 (MC22L). My previous bike, also an MC22L, had issues starting when it was cold. No issues once warm, and it doesn't have any problems when it isn't cold. Yes, I am using the choke.

I've previously ridden a GN250 2005 and a Scorpio 2010, and neither of these had issues starting, even when it was cold.

To be fair, the CBR250RR is quite old now (20+ years). While you are comparing it to bikes only 5 and a bit years old. The newer bikes are likely to be easier to start simple because they are less worn, and are more likely to include technology that didn't exist when the CBR250RR came out.

Cold starting problems could be a million issues. Is the air filter in good condition? Has the oil been changed recently? Are the spark plugs in reasonable condition?

And it could simply be the metal components of the engine don't quite have the right tolerances when the bike is really cold (most likely due to simple engine wear), and those tolerances don't restore themselves till it is a bit warmer.

[steelphoenix]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions - warming her up with the idle set high means she doesn't cut out. I think it's solved!

@p.dath - Yeah, that makes sense. It had come to my mind, but I didn't know how the age could express itself.

[The Pastor]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions - warming her up with the idle set high means she doesn't cut out. I think it's solved!

@p.dath - Yeah, that makes sense. It had come to my mind, but I didn't know how the age could express itself.

yep high idle will help out a lot for cold starting