So is this what being a motorcycle enthusiast is all about?

[jpr1968]

Is it all stock? I think you may not be starting it correctly. WHen you start it, whether chock or no chock, DO NOT USE THROTTLE at all. If you are only familar with Fuel injected engines, carbed engines can be tricky to start.

[dmeyer302]

Originally Posted by RoastRider

Is this really what it is like to be a motorcycle owner?

Nope, there's something wrong with your bike (...but I think you knew that).

You seem to have been stuck with a bike with a certain citrusy essence. Don't blame it on motorcycles, or motorcyclists. There's no reason why a bike can't be as reliable as your average car. I know mine are. My XL250R starts on the first kick, every time.

Don't lose hope. Fuel, spark, compression are what you need. Figure out which it's not getting. Sounds to me like you need a professional carb cleaning.

If you give up and sell the bike (which I don't think is necessary), buy another one! Look into EFI bikes.

But, no, this isn't what being a motorcyclist is about.


Sent from my iPhone using Motorcycle.com App

[So-Crates]

Know whats funny? I had a lot of the same issues on the used 1998 VLX I bought.

Buy yourself something newer and better. That will solve your issues right there. I havent had a single problem with the brand spanking new Z1000 I bought, or the Victory I bought.

[sweet041100]

I see you're an IT guy. My laptop locks up, doesn't always start and some times doesn't run. Your advice would be to throw it out, correct?

[justinmahn]

Yup that's my advice . . . I'll take that off your hands so you don't have to pay disposal charges . . . *runs off with laptop hidden in trenchcoat.

[SkullCrusher]

Sounds like a combination of operator error and bad gas. Check your keneuter valve and make sure your muffler bearings are tight. Also did you change the tires over to winter air?

[RoastRider]

Originally Posted by sweet041100

I see you're an IT guy. My laptop locks up, doesn't always start and some times doesn't run. Your advice would be to throw it out, correct?

Depends, is it an Apple or PC? lol

[wallasan10]

When I was a teenager back in the 1960s I had a 450cc Ducati single. Kick start, not electric. It had a carburetor with a button on it that held the float down to partially flood the motor so it would start. Too much or not enough and you were out of luck. It also had a compression release lever that you had to hold in and release at just the right moment as you kicked the motor over. I didn’t weigh enough to kick it over without the compression release. Eventually I got to where I could start it every time but I admit that I never tried to start it in really cold weather.
One day someone showed up with a shiny new Honda that all you had to do was turn the key and push the button.
"There goes the neighborhood!"

[1rusty1]

Yup. Just like anything. When it doesn't work like advertised, it can drive you crazy. I say kill switch. Don't forget it's there.

[Buicknick72]

Big question is does it have original jets/exhuast/air cleaner?

Bad cold starting is most likely
a) dirty carbs, have they been entirely rebuilt? All it takes is sitting for a few months for a small passage to gum up.

b) poor jet/exhuast/air cleaner combo. The smaller the enigne the more of an effect this will have. If it's not all original, put it back to stock gear and see if that fixes it.

c) slow cranking. Are you running overly thick oil? This will slow the cranking speed, I know my VT1100 needed a healthy crank speed to fire up. When the battery was weak at all it would give trouble, it would turn slow, but never catch.

As far as this being what it means to be a motorcycle enthusiast? no. Giving up on a bike because it gives you trouble - that's what an 'entusiast' does. Bottom line is that bike has been around for 12 years, it's gonna need a little lovin'. If you don't have the time or patience to fix it, there is nothing wrong with that, you just need a newer bike.