Why aren't race bikes meant to idle?

cr-man

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 6, 1999
339
0
I just got an 02 CR250 and have been working on the jetting, so far I have not run an idle, but I have also stalled it a couple times when I've jumped on the brakes. I have read that running an idle does not give you good jetting. Why is this? Does it only effect low speed jetting? Can I get away with running any kind of idle at all ?
 

spanky250

Mod Ban
Dec 10, 2000
1,490
1
Setting your bike to not idle does not affect the jetting, it affects the response when snapping the throttle open from fully closed. Personally, I haven't found any advantage to setting the idle screw that low, so I set my idle speed so that the engine will just barely idle.
 

EricGorr

Super Power AssClown
Aug 24, 2000
708
1
Hi Joe,
the problem has to be with designing a carb for fast response. The slide and needle jet hood area produce a strong fuel signal. If you raise the idle it could lower the plug temperature with too rich a mixture and wet-foul the plug. Back in the old days we had big round slide Mikuni carbs that idled great but had sloppy response.
I'm sure we can dig around in the attic and find an old Bing carb from a Maico that would be fitted to your new CR!
 

cr-man

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Nov 6, 1999
339
0
Hey Eric, Sounds like you have a hot set-up for my new scoot already! Eric is there a baseline that I can have a little of an idle and still have good response?
Thanks for the replys! Joe
 

Buzz Bomb

Member
May 9, 2000
706
0
Just make your bike so it barely idles and then tune the bike from there. I have great responce on my 2001 CR250, and mine idles. It is easier to slow down when your bike doesn't idle fast as well.
 

Guaryzzzpode

Member
Feb 25, 2000
66
0
As Buzz said, having the bike to not idle offers some sort of "engine brake" on 2 strokes. I prefer having perfect idle, so I don't lock the rear wheel (and shutting the motor) quite as often.
 

FMX_novice

Member
Jan 5, 2001
161
0
When braking hard use the clutch! When you do some serious braking your motor will die without the clutch! I set my bike to a real low idle as well, When i brake i pull the clutch and i put enough pressure so that the wheels are about to lock up, i stay in this pressure unless the bike is about to flip over, i try to keep the bike level by shifting my weight. I shift down with about 1 second inbetween each shift and when im ready to get on the gas i nail the gas as im popping the clutch and stay on through the corner.
 

Chief

~SPONSOR~
Damn Yankees
Aug 17, 2001
682
0
What works for me

CR Man,

I've set my bike all 3 ways, strong idle, weak dying idle, and no idle at all.
I found the weak dying idle works best for me. The throttle response was right there as opposed to having the screw all the way out, and the engine doesn't fire unexpectedly when I'm going downhill (set at a strong idle).

Joe Chief
 

motometal

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Sep 3, 2001
2,680
3
You guys have my vote on setting it so it either just barely idles, or idles for a while then dies.

When I lean my bike against the truck (idling), get out my ramp, then ride it into the truck, I get some strange looks and comments from time to time. The trend with many mxers is to copy some pro racer who sets up the bike without an idle.

I have had bikes that would load up like Eric mentioned, I just make sure I don't let them idle long enough for this to happen.
 

jeffd

Naïve Texan
N. Texas SP
Jun 9, 2000
1,610
0
Originally posted by motometal
You guys have my vote on setting it so it either just barely idles, or idles for a while then dies.

When I lean my bike against the truck (idling), get out my ramp, then ride it into the truck, I get some strange looks and comments from time to time. The trend with many mxers is to copy some pro racer who sets up the bike without an idle.

I have had bikes that would load up like Eric mentioned, I just make sure I don't let them idle long enough for this to happen.

Ha! That might explain the funny looks I get when I am leting my bike idle for a while to warm it up before I go ride.

It is a YZ 125 and it idles and has plenty of throttle response...

Of course, the fatty pipe, carbon reeds, spot-on jetting, and exhaust porting help out a bit too ;)

-jeffd
 

IBWFO

Member
Aug 5, 2001
366
0
I too have an 02 CR 250 and had a bit of a problem with the bike almost stalling in the air when going over a triple and tapping the rear brake.
My son raced the bike last Sunday and insisted I turn the idle up some because of the same problem.
Regards
 

motometal

LIFETIME SPONSOR
Sep 3, 2001
2,680
3
Might I add that it helps to have an idle when doing no handed manuvers over triples, etc...

oh, wait a minute, I'm getting too old for that anyway, I think??:scream:
 

ktmboy

~SPONSOR~
Apr 1, 2001
2,470
0
I just like to know that when I pull the danged clutch lever in to negotiate a rear wheel locked, white knuckle, verticle decent, that when I tap that throttle/dump the clutch there will be power there! :eek:
 

Micahdawg

Member
Feb 2, 2001
503
0
I thought another reason for

having no idle was so that when you dump the bike it dies instantly and doesn't keep on running?

Micah
 

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