05 CRF250R randomly wont kick over.

[Micas]

I recently purchased a CRF250R as a secondary bike. The price was excellent and the bike runs flawlessly but its hard to kick off when cold. If its cold i might as well just pullstart it cuz it'll flood before it ever pretends to start.

It will sometimes not kick off even when warm. A few times i have actually flooded it before it would kick over. It doesnt always do these things but when im on a trail and i bog out and i cant get it cranked its frustrating and dangerous if there isnt anywhere to get off to the side.

I was thinking it could be the valves coming out of spec but there are so many other things that can cause this i wasnt sure. My knowledge of bikes is pretty much that of a typical user.

Any ideas? Should i just go get the valves reshimmed anyway?

 

[defo26]

Most likely check the valve clearance. Also check and make sure you arent running too rich. You shouldnt be flooding the bike when you start it.

 

[trial_07]

Before you even touch the kickstarter, twist the throttle quickly 1 or 2 times. Then when you kickstart the bike, do not twist the throttle. I had a very hard time starting my bike (same as yours) when I first got it. It took me a while to figure out the correct way to start it easily. And Don't forget the choke.

 

[Micas]

Well i changed the spark plug ( $30 dollars :bang: ) and it kicks over within a few kicks if i use the cold start. Huge change from where it was.

When warm it kicks 1st or 2nd kick every time.

I also changed the way i was trying to kick it. I was kicking from the top pretty hard, now i push down until i feel compression and then just sorta step down on it.

While i had it apart i changed the air filter which was nasty and the oil/filter which needed it as well. The valves were still within spec.

I think i just fouled the plug or it was faulty to begin with. Either way im happy. Runs flawless and kicks like a dream now.

 

[mox69]

Dirty air filters will make a big difference in how easy the bike is to start. My bike will start 1-3 kicks on a fresh air filter. After a couple hours riding it will slowly start to draw out to 3-5 or more kicks. Once I replace the filter its back at 1-3.

So change them often!

P.S. Some of the GNCC racers will change them mid-race in dusty conditions. That should tell you how important they are.

 

[wileyE]

kick slow until you feel compression, then ease it through the tdc compression-no further, bring the kick starter back up to top and kick it strong all the way through to the bottom. NO quick stab two stroke kick.

if the engine was shut down with the kill switch (not stalled), it will rest right before tdc compression, so just ease it past bring the lever back to top and kick.