Is This Normal?

[Mike's2003YZ250]

Guys, sometimes I dont ride my bike for weeks and it will just sit in my garage. I do turn the gas off always as well. But when I do decide to ride it, I turn the gas and choke on and kick it over. It takes a few kicks which I guess is normal since it hasnt been ridden in so long, if I ride it everyday, it starts first kick. But when it finally does start, it idles very high for the first few seconds then it starts to idle down to a normal idle. What I want to know is, is this normal? Does it do that because it hasnt been ridden in so long? Does it do that because I shouldnt be using the choke? Or does it do that because it doesnt start on the first kick, and everytime you kick it and it doesnt start, gas gets into the engine, and when it finally does start, it has a rich conditon until it "clears" itself out? The bike runs perfectly fine otherwise. Before I start kicking it over, should I twist the throttle one or two times with the choke on, or no? What if I left the choke off, and twisted the throttle once or twice. Sorry for all the questions, just am curious why is does that. I dont like that it idles so high, considering the motor is cold. Like I said though, if I ride the bike everyday, it starts first kick and idles normally, only when it sits in the garage for a long time does it do this. Please reply with some ideas. Mike

[Jim X]

I wouldn't worry about it, my bike does the same thing. What I think the "problem" is, is the bike is cold, which makes the bike lean. When your bike sucks in gas some of it condenses on your cylinder, cylinder head, and piston which makes the bike lean, that's why you choke it. All the extra gas that has condensed then makes your bike seem rich and lots o smoke come out, so I wouldn't worry about it.

On the high idle, it is because the bike is lean while starting (normal, that's why you are choking it) so it after starting push the choke back in, which will make it harder for the engine to run (making the idle go down, or stall). If it stalls then modulate the choke on and off until it warms up or will idle by itself.

[drman]

My bike does the same thing, and I've never thought a whole lot of it.

[Mike's2003YZ250]

Thanks fellas for the replies. Your bikes do this always, or just when you leave them sitting for a long like mine does? I must say though, when you dont ride the bike for a while, and then jump on it and go for a ride, man does it feel sick!! It feels like its your first time riding it all over again and man does she pull the wheel up!! I love it, haha! Mike

[Jim X]

I am pretty sure mine does it everytime, but I only get to ride it once-twice a week, so yeah.

[drman]

Mine always does it, but more extreme if the bike sits for a week or so. It's always the same amount of revs..they just last a bit longer if the bike has sat up more.

[Mike's2003YZ250]

Thanks guys for the quick replies. This forum is great! I really like it here! So Ill write it off as normal and just ride the thing. Thanks again fellas, be talkin to ya soon! Mike

[Jim X]

No problem man, I'm a newb to modern motocross bikes as well. We'll be here to help!


EDIT:
actually I just read in another thread this: "Im not at all new to bikes, but I am when it comes to adjustments, lol."

Didn't mean to offend you or anything.

I am not "new" to bikes as well, but I am new to working on them since I own my first one now. Instead of it just being owned by my dad.

[Mike's2003YZ250]

No problem man! No need to apologize! Dont be silly!! Just get out there and ride!! Mike :

[KX02]

My bike does the same stuff you are describing, it's normal, but more pronounced if I don't ride for a while. If I ride two days in a row it will usually start with one or two kicks cold. If I don't ride for a week it takes allot more kicks. I think one of the things that causes this is the fuel in the engine evaporating.

[Mike's2003YZ250]

Thanks for the reply KX02! Mike

[PBMAXX]

If it's a 2 stroke, some fuel will stay in the crankcase and probably some more will get from the bowl into the case over time. If you don't turn off the fuel and the float isn't set right it can flow through the works and really flood it.
Try turning off the gas on the last ride of the day then run the bike for a minute til the idle goes up a bit then kill it. See how it starts next week?

[Mike's2003YZ250]

PBMAXX, thank you for your reply. Yea, I do turn the gas off everytime I put the bike away, never forgot to once. However, I dont turn it off and continue to let the bike idle. I always shut the bike off, then turn the gas to off, then put the bike away. I think your idea sounds like a good one though. I will try this the next two times I ride the bike, and report back. I think you are onto something! Mike