rbaker

Member
Jun 19, 2005
10
0
I have been hearing some saying you should idle and some saying you should never.. what are your opinions and reasoning for your idle or non idle preference?

thanks guys
 

xr100ider

Member
Jan 31, 2003
179
0
we adjusted my idle to get my bike running properly. it doesnt idle anymore but thats okay since i dont really use the lower revs in motocross. i imagine woods guys would need it though.
 

RM_guy

Moderator
Damn Yankees
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 21, 2000
7,058
214
North East USA
To properly tune a 2 stroke you want the idle set so it stalls out after a few seconds of idling. It is also bad to have a 2 stroke with an idle when you come into a turn real hot and let off the gas only to find out that the idle is still driving you into the turn. It can get pretty scarry.
 

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member
May 3, 2000
5,348
3
MX - no need for an idle and many riders do not want it to idle. .

For trail riding, the ability to idle for a few seconds is nice. Killing the motor at the wrong time can be annoying when you are crawling around in technical terrain. But I see no need for the bike to have to idle for any more than a few seconds.
 

ellandoh

dismount art student
~SPONSOR~
Mi. Trail Riders
Aug 29, 2004
2,958
0
i like the idle .......havent had the pushing into a turn but thats probably because im usually revved out or downshifting either way idle is wwwaaayyyy slower than i want to go,

however i feel more comfortable with the occasional brake tap with the idle

besides the PAIN to put on the last minute helmet or gloves without it
 

darringer

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Dec 2, 2001
1,029
0
I prefer to have the bike idle. It's very convenient to not have to blip the throttle to keep it running when negotiating tricky downhills. I have never had any problems on the track because of the bike being able to idle. My bike will idle indefinitely with no adverse problems. I adjust the air screw for maximum, smooth idle, then adjust speed down to a slow, steady idle. I have ridden bikes that don't idle on the track and notice no difference with my bike as far as handling, braking, or performance. I guess it comes down to personal preference
 

agrass582

Member
Jun 7, 2005
58
0
Now if your bike doesn't idle and you play around with the throtle screw and nothing happens, is that a bad sign?? It will idle if I twist the throttle a little and hold it there. Should I put a bigger pilot jet in that way I can get it to idle and tune it correctly?? Any advice would be great.
 

ellandoh

dismount art student
~SPONSOR~
Mi. Trail Riders
Aug 29, 2004
2,958
0
air fuel screw or idle screw???????
 

fatherturtle

Member
Jan 17, 2004
65
0
Just remember that when you come to a corner and you are not on gas you create a lean condition. I don't have an idle with my two stroke but I do make sure my 4stroke idles.
 

gwcrim

~SPONSOR~
Oct 3, 2002
1,881
0
All my bikes idle. It's such a convenience, why not? No, I don't race. Just plink around in the woods with my kids.
 
B

biglou

I just turned mine up to idle indefinitely. Too much trouble trying to blip the throttle between putting on my goggles, gloves, etc. Definite PITA at the gate. I don't have a mechanic to keep her running for me, either. And Nikki pointed out, it's more likely to stay running should you go down. And I can't tell the difference in performance from not idling to idling, FWIW.
 

showtime586

Member
Mar 28, 2004
512
0
rbaker said:
I have been hearing some saying you should idle and some saying you should never.. what are your opinions and reasoning for your idle or non idle preference?

thanks guys

Watch a pro race and check out the mechanics blipping the throttle while theriders are putting on their goggles...:)
 

DLHamblin

Member
May 27, 2005
268
0
For racing many don't have the bikes set to idle; but since I now just play and trail ride (with occasional trips to the track to ride with my son) I like a nice idle. Takes some fiddling but once setup its not a big issue.
 

ellandoh

dismount art student
~SPONSOR~
Mi. Trail Riders
Aug 29, 2004
2,958
0
showtime586 said:
Watch a pro race and check out the mechanics blipping the throttle while theriders are putting on their goggles...:)

to keep it hot maybe??
 

Sandy Whoops

Member
Oct 11, 2003
74
0
Having pondered this issue for some time, here's what I think...

A 2-stroke that idles might be more prone to deceleration seizure. When the thottle is closed at high RPM, a great deal of vacuum is placed on the carb. If the slide is set to a very low level (engine won't idle), the high vacuum will tend to draw fuel from the bowl and create a somewhat rich condition. If the slide is set to a higher level (permitting the engine to idle), the vacuum will be able to draw more air and create a lean condition.

Agree / disagree?
 

dirt bike dave

Sponsoring Member
May 3, 2000
5,348
3
That's an interesting theory, Sandy. Makes sense, and may be a contributing factor in some seizures.

IMO, the main reason many racers have no idle is because they jet the bike to have the best throttle response and low end power. If the ability to idle goes away, it is a small sacrifice for a crisp running race bike.

FWIW, the only decel seizure I've had was on my CR250, which will idle for a few seconds only. I used to dual sport KDX's (a 200 and 250) that would idle all day, and never had a seizure despite rolling off the throttle on road rides.
 

i_955

Member
Dec 18, 2004
265
0
The Plug will carbon up if it is just sitting there idleing.
I sure the first guy, to the first corner wasn't sitting there idleing his bike whilst adjusting his goggles and gloves and chatting up the umbrella girl.

I have no idea, I'm just a 2 stroke fool, that's YZ doesn't idle. If I'm sitting for more than a few seconds I hit the kill switch, I never idled a 2 stroke.
 

pace

Member
Nov 21, 2003
479
0
I used to have my MX bikes not idle, but now set it for a slow idle for a couple of reasons.. Peace of mind during in-flight brake taps. Convenience when fumbling with goggles, etc. And finally, I've ditched my bike in races and had it keep running which can save a bunch of time.

Never had a problem with seizing, fouling, or any of the other mechanical stuff that was speculated on. I do however perceive a little less engine braking in some situations.
 

steve125

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Oct 19, 2000
1,252
0
For as long as I can remember its an AMA rule, no idle. They want the bike to stall in a crash.

I never run an idle, I can jet in the perfect low end throttle response without one. With an idle there are too many RPM changes, it rarely stays consistent.

The exception would be if a new bike(2 smoke) comes jetted rich from the factory on the pilot jet. I'll give it a very low idle to help clean it up, until i've had time to re-jet.
 

muddy226

Sponsoring Member
Sep 14, 2003
271
0
I can't make my RM idle and still be able to shut off "clean" (without popping), and I've never actually felt the need for an idke anyway, but I can understand that 4t riders may prefer to have an idle, especially with the engine braking. I think that the RMZ250 and and Kawa came with electrics which give a higher idle speed when in gear, thus reducing the engine braking effect.
 
Top Bottom