Suzuki Bandit 250 not starting in the cold.

[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.