Cold Starting

[dom]

It takes me a dozen or more tries to start my '91 KDX when it is cold. It always starts first kick when warm. Actually, it starts ridiculously easy when warm, just breathe on it and it goes.

My procedure:
Gas On
Choke On
Lean bike over till it pisses gas
Kick and twist throttle

This is what I was taught by my riding buddy and I've seen him start my bike on 1 kick.

Jetting seems really good, close enough that I haven't had to touch it going from sea-level to 3k feet and from 30-100deg. It may be a bit rich as it feels a bit soft when it gets hot. It idles pretty well but it will "load-up" if I let it sit at idle or ride on the pilot for a few miles.

Suggestions?

 

[hockeyboy]

The "kick and twist throttle" part might be the problem. In my experience, it is best to leave the throttle closed untill after the bike fires. Then give the throttle a turn.

 

[03KDXHOPPER]

When cold, I usually plunger on, let it run with the plunger on until it starts idling down, then close the plunger.

I've never used throttle to start it unless it's been ridden and shut down for a few minutes.
Mine does take more than 1 kick when cold. Usually less than 5, though.

 

[dom]

Bingo, I kept off the throttle and it started first kick.

 

[Rhodester]

If it's loading up when idling then you're definately rich on the pilot and maybe the needle position too. I'd go down 1 on the pilot and fine tune with the air screw, also raise the clip 1 position to clean up the lower throttle positions. "Soft when it gets hot (the bike or the weather?)" may indeed indicate a rich main. There's no way I could keep the same main jet from 30 to 100 degrees and still get optimal performance. I'd have to be way rich in the first place or I'd lock it up at the cold temps. Assuming the same elevation, I'd probably need 4 different mains to cover that range to still keep crisp performance. Keep in mind that a significant drop in the main jet size will effect the jetting all the way down so do the main first and see if it helps the loading up at small throttle openings. Do the pilot regardless...you're rich there, and the main has all but zero influence at idle.

 

[dom]

Thanks I think you are right. Now that it is colder I think the jetting is spot on, it doesn't load up anymore. It is only in retrospect that I think it was to fat in warmer weather. I just started riding in the spring/summer and at the time didn't realize that it was soft. I'd only ridden a KDX once before and everyone had described it as mild power. It was only when I rode it on a nice cold morning that I realized what I was missing.