Bike won't start up on first try...

[seamax]

I have had this problem since buying my 96. It takes 3-4 tries before the bike would start. I would have to fully engage the choke, twist the throttle a couple of times and then the bike would start. Even when the bike is warm, it still takes a couple of starts before the motor would fire. The starter is trying to crank the motor but the motor is just not turning over. Any clues why this is happening.?

I rn 89 octane and my carbs have been cleaned and rejetted.

[terry1013]

Hey Seamax, no expert here but have you changed plugs lately?. I went to local car store here and asked for the plugs for my GS once and they didn't have the exact plug but had the next hotter by the plug number. Ordered the ones I wanted but used the hotter plugs to start the bike. I found a big difference in the way that it starts,  seems much quicker. Mine was like yours, crank crank crank etc. Once I put the other plugs in, it was back to the same thing. Long time cranking before start.     THEN I happened to notice that although it cranked it didn't seem to crank as "fast". So I hooked up my battery charger and jumped it. It fired immediatly. Since then I keep the battery charged. Mine is a 96, previous owner replaced the battery, looks new. But if I leave the bike sit any more than 2 days it requires more cranking. Theory here is that when battery is down the least bit, starter draws so much amperage to crank the engine that coils are starved and don't fire the plugs or lack the pop.   Does it start better with a charger on it?

[Faxxxy]

I have been riding bikes for 18 years and I never, ever, ever twist the throttle on start up..

1. turn on key and make sure safety switch is turned on.
2. full choke!
3. Pull clutch
4. push start button.

I never twist the throttle until I feel hot air coming out of the exhaust pipe.
If you give it gas during start up, with the choke on, or before it is warm all you will do is foul your plugs..

It may not foul them right away, but it will shorten their life considerably.

I used to ride a Katana that the shop wanted 140 dollars to change the plugs on. When the stakes are that high, you learn how not to foul your plugs.

Hope this helps!

[seamax]

Since buying the bike I have not check the plugs. I think I will look into that. So would there be any damaging problems with running hotter plugs in the long run?

[Faxxxy]

You might be amazed what a new set of plugs will do for a bike.
I had an old Yamaha 850 triple that one day I changed the plugs out on a whim..

The next ride was wild!
It probably had lost 25% of its Hp to bad plugs..

As far as running hotter plugs, I personally would not do it for very long..
If you can't find spec plugs, you can put those in to tide you over until you can find spec plugs. Then I would just keep those hotter plugs as spares in case you foul a plug on the road..

(okay so I'm a little old school)

[terry1013]

I read up on it once & it seems to cause preignition or something. I know that after reading the article I felt it was best to stick with whats recommended. Could cause burnt pistons & bad things like that......
Although it seemed to run great with them in there.

[cernunos]

If the bike is not actually needing hot plugs you can run into pre-ignition which is very detrimental to the life of the motor. I would just check the plugs and if they look out of whack just replace them with a standard heat-range plug. Love the Baby GS, Cuba (best diving in the world), and this forum.

C........

[vfrocket]

I dont know about you guys, but my GS rarely starts on the first try, and when it runs it runs like a champ.

[94suzuki500]

I dont know about you guys, but my GS rarely starts on the first try, and when it runs it runs like a champ.

My bike starts with very minimal cranking at all.  It just like I hear the starter motor for a split second and then its running.  Same with my 1980 honda. I have the secret formula.....

[gazingwa]

my gs starts without trottle and full choke only to get it going, if it is above 60 i can take the choke off right away, other wise, 1/4 choke for 2 minutes or so and she is ready.  (96 as well BTW)

[donlon]

I had the same problem as you have, and solved it with a new airfilter, the old one was soked in some kind of oil (bought my GS used), I guess the previous owner thougt that the stock filter was an K&N ..he-he.


I bought an K&N SU-5589 and my bike have never run better, I have to use the choke for a bit longer time when cold though, but i guess that's because it ran richer before.

John

[Faxxxy]

I have .40 main jets in my carbs..
Someone told me that those are helping my bike start better on cold starts..