ZXR250 Playing Up

[Chricks]

Hi all,

I bought an 89' ZXR about 6 months ago. Its been sweet but recently its been a bit of a bastard to start. It started out by just being hard to start when it was hot (which i put down to it just being a kawasaki thing) but now its getting harder and harder to start with the electric start. First thing in the morning, slightly hot, left for a few hours, etc (with or without choke)

It starts every time instantly with a bit of a roll, and seems to be the only way to make it go 80% of the time.

I have noticed that recently, when starting it first thing in the morning with the choke on, it doesn't like me giving it any gas and will semi-flood, if you will, if i do. And i've had to increase the idle revs as when waiting at a light or something the revs will fall and fall till it wont resond then will die, of course requiring a push to get it started.

Any ideas of what i can do to make my precious purr again??

Cheers all

[racefactory]

does it start better with or without choke?

[Chricks]

Generally - with the choke. Sorta have to turn it over repeatedly trying with and without choke for it to start.

Rolling - no problems at all

[FJRider]

If the plugs are on the way out, or carboned up (between the electrode,thats the centre bit, and the body) it takes more power (read spark) to give it the ooomph to fire it properly. Push starting does not use any battery power...thus more spark. A piece of sharp wire with a flat edge should do it. But I would think a new set may be required. How long since they were replaced ...???

[awayatc]

+1
Sparkplugs 4 sure, not cheap either at over $20 a pop....

[TimeOut]

+1
Sparkplugs 4 sure, not cheap either at over $20 a pop....

Or could be the battery, my sons was the same it seemed to spin over fast enough and for long enough but wouldn't fire then would flood, but would bump start fine. Put a new battery in and it was fine (still on original)

They seem to need a good voltage for the spark.

[hayd3n]

check plugs/leads get battery tested

[steelestring]

Mine did the same about this time last year. Cold got to it... Hard to start... etc lots of turning over, quick and good sounding. The poor old battery had charge but was not throwing out enough power to light the fire.

chur

[Chricks]

Cheers guys!

I replaced the plugs about 6months (3ks) ago, when i thought that this was the reason for my rec/reg giving up the ghost, so i don't really think its them. And hope its not, as having to take off the entire fearings and radiator just to check them is a bit of a bastard.

The battery was brand new when i bought the bike (again, about 6 months ago) - i know, i filled the cells.

I guess it could be a voltage thing, but it holds enough charge to turn it over till im bored.

But my main concern is not so much the hard to start first thing problem, but the nearly stalling and running like a bastard sometimes whilst hot.

[FJRider]

Try turning the FUEL OFF when parked, carbs may be flooding(sticking float etc). Turn fuel back on just before starting...
Still think its the plugs that need a clean. Check plug GAP. Stop start running, and low rev's, foul a plug quite quickly. Check plugs are correct for the type of riding you do...
6 months is a lot of starts. If its too much of a hassle, take it to the shop... or get a GN...
Get an auto sparky to test the battery, and can eliminate/pinpoint a problem...

Regular maintainence is the key, dont do it, problems can/do/have occur(ed)

[kiwi cowboy]

Try turning the FUEL OFF when parked, carbs may be flooding(sticking float etc). Turn fuel back on just before starting...
Still think its the plugs that need a clean. Check plug GAP. Stop start running, and low rev's, foul a plug quite quickly. Check plugs are correct for the type of riding you do...
6 months is a lot of starts. If its too much of a hassle, take it to the shop... or get a GN...
Get an auto sparky to test the battery, and can eliminate/pinpoint a problem...

Regular maintainence is the key, dont do it, problems can/do/have occur(ed)

if its the plugs fouled you could talk to you bikr shop about going one grade hoter just helps to burn the shit fuel cleaner

[FruitLooPs]

My friends 89 does the exact same thing mate, not sure if he sorted it I might have a word.

tried fresh batt and his plugs would fix it but only last a short time before being hard to start again, like yours.