Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

I just got my bike (zxr250) about 3 weeks ago and i take it out for a few short rides a week since im still getting the hang of it still.
past 3 or 4 days it has been really hard to start from cold.

I give it a crank and it starts for a few seconds then shuts down. Another crank and it doesn't start so i keep cranking and holding it every 3 or 4 seconds just to be safe, after 3 or 4 goes it dies out completly.

Misson no^1 is get the bike up d drive way which isnt that long but it has a steep to it, and then pushing it down the road and clutch starting it. once it gets going i warm it up and then take it for a quick run, i turn it of and straight after it still doesn't start.

A friend of myn said the battery takes a while to charge and i don't want to keep push starting it, i know kawasaki's are hard to start but damn!




FIRST question, is leaving the bike to long in the garage bad for it or do i have to take it for a long run to get it charged up?

Second question, is this normal or shall i get it checked out,

Lastly where abouts is the battery in the bike so i can have a look and consider changing it.


I'm new so yeah im still learning about my bike but its getting to the point where i need some help.

cheers all!, fadi.

You need to get the battery on charge overnight .......If it doesn't hold the charge -then it is time for a new battery
not having a 250 I am assuming the battery is under the riders seat, but I'm sure one of the 2fiddy riders will be along soon to tell you for sure.
If you don't ride it very often, it is worth investing in a trickle charger

Rossi wrote:You need to get the battery on charge overnight .......If it doesn't hold the charge -then it is time for a new battery
not having a 250 I am assuming the battery is under the riders seat, but I'm sure one of the 2fiddy riders will be along soon to tell you for sure.
If you don't ride it very often, it is worth investing in a trickle charger

+1 the battery should be under the riders seat.

Try reading this thread...

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=20496&p=317887&hilit=bike+wont+start#p317875

Sounds like its fuel starved as opposed to battery issues as its cranking over ok... Check fuel hoses and fuel pump for any kinks etc...

On the left side of the handlebars just inboard of the grip is a little slidy kinda knob thingy..

Try moving it with your thumb towards you all the way on cold mornings. When the engine starts revving too high or that needle on the left clock looking thingy gets towards half way , move the slidy knob thingy back away from you slowly.

When it is all the way forward and the engine idles nicely , you should be right to ride up your trusty steed up your driveway and down the road.



tip; Holding the starter on after the bike fires will very efficiently stuff your starter bendix costing you lots of $$$ very quickly.

choke on???
ah they are hard to start on cold mornings, more so if your battery is cactus.
remove your pillion seat, you will have a key for it the lock is clutch side,rear panel
then theres a slider arm pull that towards the rear of the bike, remove ya riders seat and voilla there ya battery.
charge it overnight and see how it goes
cheers Tim

yeah check out the thread i started the other day.

My problem was not leaving the choke on long enough to let the engine warm up before taking choke off. bike would stop, flood with fuel and not start again.

Leaving it sitting for ages is not the best either as sediment in fuel (if you got a bad batch) will sink to the bottom and it will feed into carbies and take ages to blow out.

On a 250 (I had a ZZR) the battery is under the seat so its a matter of taking it off and having look see.

cheers

fadz : sounds familiar.. may be flooding it initialy in an attempt to start....or battery possibly not charging or past accepting full charge ( replace)...20 min at 4000 rpm is around time for the alt ' to complete a charge. push start it go for decent ride then apply methods of starting as suggested by other posts ( start regularily ...ride more often).............. hmm should take own advice

ok guys here's the latest low down,
today went to start it up and bang what do you know it STARTS

also i knew it was the battery because the other day i took it for a ride to my mates house and about 10 mins later the bike was turned of it started normally, but then i stalled it and it didnt crank over after i tried to start it, but once i clutch started it, i pressed the high beam switch and it turned of. Now that would be the best way to know the battery was flat?

now its running fine ( for now!) and hoepfully for a long time to come, i will be taking it for a long run in d next few days so everything should be back to normal ** fingers crossed**

cheers all, your information has been great.

hey Fadz just as a thought... I'd still take your seat off and check that the the battery terminals are in fact secure.. It is quite common for the terminal bolts to come loose and if they do (particularly the earth (-) side , the stator will not re charge your battery properly...

Worth checking and cost you nothing

thanks for that , i shall check them soon!