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Cold starting difficulty
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Posted by: FLBob---------------------
Got my 97 KDX 220 running perfectly as far as I can tell, so I'd rather not mess with the jetting, never fouls a plug, but I have a hard time getting it going the first start of the day. It's not a cold weather problem here in Florida. Typically 15-20 kicks get it to fire a couple of times, 2- 3 kicks a couple of more fires, repeat once or twice and then if I'm real careful with the throttle for a minute or so it'll stay running. Another minute or so of easy riding then I can clean it out and I'm good for the rest of the day, barely kicking gets it started.
I've tried laying it down for a few seconds before trying to start, can't tell if it helps or not. I'm thinking now of different starting techniques - kick thru easy with throttle open first, I donno -any ideas? Thanks.
Posted by: TMKDXER---------------------
I've got the same problem, but my bike is a pos, and not jetted. Anyway, here's what I do: kick her up into 2nd, and rock it back and forth agains the engine compresion. Do this going through all gears(2-6...i's kinda usless in 1st). I usualy give it 4-5 push/pulls in each gear. I know reading it seems time consuming, but when its done right, with a hair of choke sometimes, it works PERFECT.
Posted by: MDA---------------------
I can't imagine what benefit going through the gears would give you. Wouldn't it just be the same effect by kicking it slowly a few times?
My bike is not even a month old yet, but it still takes me five or six kicks with the choke on to get it going cold.
-Mark-
Posted by: canyncarvr---------------------
Flbob:
Is your choke staying on? I just found a couple of weeks ago that my choke wasn't staying 'up' like I assumed it was. I'd pull the choke up..start kicking and not realize it had dropped down (off). Still haven't fixed it..but I have to be cognizant of that bit-o-trouble, else I'll be kicking like you are.
Do you transport your bike? Sure the gas is off? The petcock can be a bit persnickity sometimes...just a hair off 'off'...and it's not.
Posted by: crashburn36---------------------
my bike is brand new also, i've noticed if its sits for more than a week or two its a little harder to start. When I start mine I usually don't use the choke but I give the throttle 2 full twists and then kick away with no throttle at all it usually starts on the 1st kick. i've found 9 out of 10 times if it doesn't start within the 5th kick your plug is probably fouled. If your not sure what your plug is supposed to look like do a search on this site. I know before I found this site I had no idea about jetting of plug chops, or what the ideal plug looks like. So the next time you ride do the 2 twists with the throttle with the choke on and put a new spark plug and I put money on it that it will start within 3 kicks.
Posted by: gooby---------------------
saw this and went to the garage ( sunday 6/2 was last ride).....2nd kick ?????? 
just lucky i guess,knock wood. chk the pilot circuit ,no starting drill needed on a properly set up smoker
Posted by: kdxtaz---------------------
This has worked well for me on hard starting 2 strokes:
First, set the choke - do not touch the throttle.
Next, put it in 2nd gear and rock it back & forth to move the piston a little - this forces a fresh fuel-air charge past the reeds.
Then, kick it over giving it no throttle. I'll bet it starts! 
Good luck!!
Posted by: andrew---------------------
Quote:
Originally posted by crashburn36
When I start mine I usually don't use the choke but I give the throttle 2 full twists and then kick away with no throttle at all it usually starts on the 1st kick.
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How does giving the throttle two twists help? You haven't got a pumper carb!!
Or are you saying you hold the throttle open for two kicks, then close it??
For what it's worth, I normally give the engine a couple of slow kicks to prime the crankcase before putting the boot into it.
Posted by: shr---------------------
Try this;
Here is an old-timer 2 stroke trick;
If the bike won't pop after 2~3 kicks (5,6,7....), try leaning the bike over to one side about 45 deg. (for most people that would be to the left). You can lean it over to the point that gas runs out the over flow tube.
Put the bike up right again and give'er another kick..., It should start or at least pop.
Two stroke choke systems only work their best with the throttle in the closed position. If the slide is to high, the choke is ineffective.
Just my opinion.......
Posted by: gooby---------------------
all good ideas but doesn't that mean there is a problem ,perhaps minor but still a prob if u have to dick around to get it to start.no offence gents please...these babies should start inside 3 kicks always i think
Posted by: dirt bike dave---------------------
In my experience, hard starting after the bike has sat a while is often caused by water condensation in the float bowl and the bottom of the fuel tank. If my bike has sat awhile, I'll drain the float bowl before attempting to start.
If there are any doubts about the freshness of the gas or spark plug, replace.
Also, worn rings and low compression can make cold starting difficult.
Posted by: crashburn36---------------------
Quote:
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How does giving the throttle two twists help? You haven't got a pumper carb!!
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You know andrew I never said I was an expert, FLBob needed some feedback and I did what everyone else did and told him what works for me. Maybe it doesn't work for anyone else but as long as it works for me and my bike continues to start on the 1st and 2nd kick, i'm not complaining. :confused:
Posted by: KelvinKDX---------------------
FLBob:
EG told me that worn reeds will cause the bike dificulty starting cold. Take a look at your reeds and make sure that there are no gaps (even slight) between the reed petals and the block. If there are - try switching around the reeds or replace the reeds.
Posted by: kdxquebec---------------------
I dont understand why but when I turn off the fuel tap for one week or little more, for example,my bike needs about 20 kicks to start.Now I never close the tap and my bike start on the first or second kicks with choke knob up and NO throttle.Try this you have nothing to loose...Good luck
Posted by: FLBob---------------------
Thanks all! I didn't ride this weekend so didn't try anything. It "feels" like it's lean on start-up. Canyncarvr - I'm quite sure the petcock leaks by on occasion, but I assumed it was lean just the same. I don't always get the rev-up with the choke on that I think I'm supposed to. Does that mean anything? I was wondering - is there a small passage (separate from the pilot circuit) that's part of the choke circuit that might be plugged?
Compression is right at spec.
The plug is old, six or eight H/S and an enduro or two. Yeah, I'll try a fresh plug. Thought about that after I posted. I don't remember the problem changing when I had a fresh plug though.
I'll try the rituals and post back.
Posted by: motox---------------------
Ok, This is how I start my 92 KDX200 (fresh top end) every time when its cold. Cold being not started for more than a day. This has worked every time with out fail. Turn on gas, Pull up choke, HOLD KILL SWITCH DOWN, Kick 5 times (normal, not slow, not with all my strength either) now don't hold kill switch down and kick it. With or without throttle mine starts every time like this. I don't know why. Once hot, and shut off, all I do is barely kick it and it starts. Let me know if anyone else is starting like this.
Posted by: mrmodine---------------------
I was having this problem on my 91 KDX 200 as well. A buddy of mine showed me a nifty trick and it works every time for me. Before even attempting to kick it, turn on the choke and then push the kicker down very slowly about three times. I am told this charges the chamber with fuel. Then, with the choke still on, give it about 1/4 throttle and kick it. Mine starts like a champ every time when I do this. Good luck!
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