The beast seems to get harder and harder to start when cold. Cold natured is one thing but this can't be normal. I'm going to wear out the starter. It takes about 4 to 5 minutes to get it running. If I get the choke just right(I have the new springs)it will run for a few seconds and stop. If I touch the gas during that few seconds it will stop. If I do that over and over and over it will finaly start. After it warms up it starts and runs great.

I've got the new choke springs and I do shut off the gas.

Thanks for any suggestions.
I have to get this fixed. I ride with a griz 660 and a pol 700. They are starting to talk.

 

My starting problem improved with the jet kit. Also how many miles/hours do you have on it. Have you adjusted your valves?

 

Mine did the same thing until I adjusted the choke cable. Take off the front handlebar cover, and you will see the adjustment. Very easy to do!

Now, all I need to do is touch the starter button and she'll fire right up.

 

CONMAN
Thanks, I'll give that a try. I would rather do that them mess with the carbs, but I thought maybe adjusting the air fuel mixture.

Anyone have any advice on that?

I don't want to rejet if I don't have to but it is becoming a problem.

 

Anyone else have the problem? Any other suggestions?


OH I didn't read the rest of your response montess. It has about 400 miles. The dealer adjusted the valves at the first service (Well he said he did). Would that make it hard to start but run ok after it warms up? I figured it would run bad all the time.

 

Your choke circuit is definitly lean, it could be that the cable is too loose. If not, the circuit is plugged or something. Don't bother messing with the idle mixture unless it's also starting hard when it's hot.

 

Martin,
Mine had the same problem, it was getting progressivily worse, 200 miles, the starter when it would work, would fire as you were releasing the button, the recoil was a little better, but sometimes nothing would work..I adjusted the valves and found them tight..now it is back to normal, it starts fine, hot or cold, give it a little throttle when starting..
as far as the instructions in the service manual about adjusting the valves goes, you only need to take the inner covers off in the wheel wells closest to the floorboards, & the center section of plastic to do this..
it takes a feeler guage that is bent 90 degrees, & be careful, there is a nut that is in the way if you have wide feeler guages..you will think that you have it, but are measuring under the top of the spring, not the valve stem if you are not careful..no need to take all the plastic, grill, racks, etc, off..

read my thread about "starting woes & quality time"..
but I know that my valves were not initially adjusted..200 miles, 70 hrs..

 

Thanks for the tip surveyor. My dealer told me he has never seen one need an adjustment before 1000 miles. But, he hasn't seen every 650, so I think what you are telling us about the adjustment is a good thing to tell people to check when their 650 starts running funny. I think most of us have been getting along for quite a few miles. But, some of us are probably needing the adjustment a lot sooner.

 

Kawi has issued a replacement cable for the choke is has been deemed defective due to the plungers malfunction. hope this helps.