problem with my 06' Ninja 250

57555 · 05-07-2006, 11:08 PM

I am not sure if this is the right place for this post (and i apologize if it isnt) but i was hoping to get some help...

I just bought this motorcycle a week ago.
And just a minute ago i was starting my bike after it was sitting for about 9 hours. After about 1 minute or less of choking it, i pulled the clutch and shifted it down into 1st. At this point the bike lurches forward violently, almost as if i hadnt had the clutch in, and dies. This has happened before but only this time it causes me to lose balance because the wheel was turned and the bike fell over. Man this pisses me off! Anyway, i've checked the manual and havent found anything that might cause this. But i must be doing something wrong!! Please someone help me!

Note: And it's not the kick-stand cutoff thingy either. This happens AS im shifting into gear, not when im trying to go.

dartsum · 05-07-2006, 11:19 PM

How high are the RPMs when you shift? If they are above idel speed (Like they would be when the choke is on) then it will jerk forward when you attempt to shift into first.

cyrilgrey · 05-07-2006, 11:20 PM

Is this bike new or used? If used, history? How's the pull on the clutch lever? Does it travel too short a distance? It does this sporadically? You've been able to shift normally otherwise?

* Never mind me, I'm tired. 06 250 answers the question. I'll second the idea posted above.

57555 · 05-07-2006, 11:28 PM

Well first- This is a brand new bike (266 miles). Ummm the clutch feels ok once i get started and this kind of thing doesnt happen every single time i start it either. As far as the clutch feeling wierd- i think it's ok but then again, i dont have anything to compare it to since this is my first bike. I havent had any problems with shifting otherwise.

Actually im leaning toward the idea that it's very RPM sensitive (although i havent quite figured it out yet) Because sometimes i'll shift it into first when the choke is still on and it is running about 2500-3500 RPM and it will jump. And then sometimes it will be idling at 1500 RPM when it does it. I still dont know though... I plan to call the Kawasaki place in the morning anyway, but i was hoping to get some opinions first.
Thanks for the help so far guys!

cyrilgrey · 05-07-2006, 11:37 PM

Definitely have them check it. The bike is under warranty after all and they sold it to you, so they should explain anything about the operation quite happily. What he said is true, the bike will always jump a little when downshifting into first. Even my car does this. The higher the engine rpm the harder that jump will be, but it is also possible that something might be wrong.

dartsum · 05-07-2006, 11:41 PM

It shouldn't do this when you are at idel speed but I think it has to do first gear being always "engaged" a little.

57555 · 05-07-2006, 11:41 PM

Ok, I will definitely call about this... And do some more testing. Thanks guys for the advice! ;)

bobbo84 · 05-08-2006, 01:35 AM

unless I'm just not understanding correctly, it honestly sounds like the oil is still cold and thick, the clutch discs are still sorta stuck together cause the bike is cold, and the 250 right off choke doesn't have the oats to keep churning when you click into gear cause it is still warming up.

dayid · 05-08-2006, 01:38 AM

Bobbo has it right. While you're choking the bike to warm it up, squeeze your clutch a few times to allow things to start getting going. You'll not have the problem again.

RayOSV · 05-08-2006, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeves122

Note: And it's not the kick-stand cutoff thingy either. This happens AS im shifting into gear, not when im trying to go.

Others have covered the lurching forward. The sidestand cut-off will kill the engine when you shift into gear with the stand down, not just when you release the clutch to go.

dayid · 05-08-2006, 07:35 AM

Ray, what he's talking about will occur with or without the kickstand down if the clutch hasn't "warmed up" essentially.

hendross · 05-08-2006, 08:36 AM

It's "normal" for the bike to jump forward when it has sat for a while. The Ninja 250 has a wet clutch; the same oil that lubes the engine also flows in/around the clutch. If the bike sits for a while, the oil will be forced out from between the clutch plates; the bike jerks when you shift from neutral into first because there is not enough oil between the plates for them to slip.

You can avoid the bike jerking by pulling in the clutch after you start the bike, and then holding in the clutch while the engine warms up. If the oil is cold, pumping the clutch a few times isn't enough. After the bike has been fully broken in (after say at least 5000 miles) you could switch to a synthetic oil; that will lessen the tendency of the bike to jump forward.

www.ninja250.info is your friend.

ZX-6R3235 · 05-08-2006, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayOSV

Others have covered the lurching forward. The sidestand cut-off will kill the engine when you shift into gear with the stand down, not just when you release the clutch to go.

That may be true of your bike but my ZX-6R doesn't stall in gear with the stand down until I release the clutch. I would assume he has the same kill switch as me.

RayOSV · 05-08-2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayid

Ray, what he's talking about will occur with or without the kickstand down if the clutch hasn't "warmed up" essentially.

That's what I meant by "others have covered the lurching forward" comment.

I was only trying to point out (perhaps incorrectly, see below) what the side stand cut-off switch may do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZX-6R3235

That may be true of your bike but my ZX-6R doesn't stall in gear with the stand down until I release the clutch. I would assume he has the same kill switch as me.

I guess I shouldn't assume all bikes work the same or as well as Suzukis.

Cutting off only when you release the clutch in gear seems much less safe to me if you inadvertently try to start the bike in gear on the side stand while standing next to the bike.

ZX-6R3235 · 05-08-2006, 11:55 AM

How is that less safe? In neutral you just hit the start button and it will fire up. If you accidentally try to start your bike while it's in gear without the clutch nothing happens. So you should realize if your reaching across the bike to push the start button and hold the clutch lever in that your in gear lol.