I can't start my '87 Suzuki DR125. Less than a month ago, it started and ran fine at my brother's down in Georgia. However, a couple days after we were riding around, I went to start it and it wouldn't start. I didn't try too hard though. I guess it was a little colder (maybe in the low 40's).

Now, I'm back up in Maryland and I still can't get it started. I tried putting in a new sparkplug. I'm getting a spark at the plug. I took the carb apart and cleaned everything. The oil is fresh and at the correct level. The gas isn't totally fresh. It still feels normal kicking, but it won't turn over at all.

Unfortunately, the clutch cable snapped, so I can't try push starting it. Have a new clutch cable on its way, so I'll try push starting once that's on. Any other things I could try? Could it just need fresh gas? It's sat for awhile before and started fine without changing out the gas.

It's just weird that it was running and starting fine, and now it won't start.

Thanks for the help.
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Brandon

Since you've already checked for spark at the plug, the next two things to check are dirt in the carb, or a severely dirty air filter.
Less likely, but possible, is the ignition timing. I don't know what the DR uses, but there is probably some kind of moveable plate that adjust timing. Check to see if that plate vibrated loose, or otherwise moved.
Another possibility is a weak ignition coil (the one that fires the spark plug). A very weak coil might not be able to fire the plug under engine compression. Very unlikely, but possible.

I think my DR uses a CDI type. Black box under the seat, but I'm not sure if yours does. The air filter would be a good bet. Maybe a little gas in the plug hole will get things rolling. If you have already cleaned the carb and suspect that bad gas is in the tank. I would replace that before running any in the carb. Like stated above Air, spark, fuel.

I don't have any experience with this sort of thing. How much gas should I try in the plug hole? Any risk with this?

I checked the air filter and it was fairly clean.

Thanks for the suggestions.
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Brandon

On 4-stroke motors I usually shoot some starting fluid in the plug hole to get it to fire up. A good quick shot of it in the hole should do the trick.