I just bought a chinese quad 250 2007 model not sure of brand although I do believe it starts with a k. Anyway my issue is it starts and runs but only if i keep the choke applied fully. It seems to run rough during down or upshift, smell of fuel, poor fuel economy, also it is water cooled yet we were riding at nite and for a period of less than 1hr under very easy conditions mostly in 1st or 2nd gear and the exhaust was glowing cherry red. Where do I start??

 

Needing the choke on, and running hot indicates a lean fuel air mixture. I would look at cleaning the carburetor, and also check for air leaks around the intake manifold.

Since you bought someone else's headache I would look for crossed hose connections at the carburetor too.

 

thanks for the advice I will check it out, any good ideas or sites for purchasing parts for the chinese quad bikes, I need a rear shock for sure. How do I know how the lines are supposed to go to the carb on this bike?