I have an '02 Prairie 650 that has about 22 miles on it. It is stock with the lone exception of the black spring. I have had this machine for about 2 months now. I noticed that now during the colder days, it takes a long time to warm up and be responsive to the throttle. Sometimes, just getting it to crank can be a chore. I can't just crank it and walk away and let it run on choke for a min or two, I have to set there and work the choke back and forth until it is warm enough to stay running with the choke off. As I start to drive it, it sputters and spits and backfires up through the air box. I have to run this thing about 15 minutes before it begins to run normal. I had a 17 year old Honda 250 that would crank and run great after only a minute of idle after days of sitting no matter how cold the temp was. Why won't my P650 do that? I am at 650 feet above sea level. Is this machine running too lean on the factory settings?? How can I resolve this problem? Please help!!!

 

Sounds like mine, must be the nature of the beast. Though, mine will start nicely, and run at a brisk idle on full choke when it is under 27degs. out.

 

It takes a little while for the big block to warm up in the winter months. The little 250's warm up much quicker, especially if they are air cooled.

 

Your idle circuit is too lean. The factory pilot screw settings are 2 to 2 1/2 turns out. Should be more like 3 to 3 1/2 turns out. Won't eliminate the problem but will make it a lot better.

 

Kawi's seem to be cold natured. I had a P400 that was that way and my P650 is that way too. I can usually start it on full choke then turn the choke completely off after it idles down and it will sit there and run, but not always. I let it idle for a few minutes before I take off. It will still cough a little at first but thing smooths out in a minute or so. I did adjust idle air screw (3-1/2 turns on both carbs) to correct a coughing at low RPM and it did seem to help on cold starts.

 

In cold weather, this works best for me:

Full choke, hit starter button. DO NOT TOUCH THROTTLE. Hold starter button until you hear the bike firing well.

Let it idle until you hear it choking down. Then, turn choke off, and let machine idle for 30 seconds or so.

Sit on seat, stab throttle, pull wheelie!!

Chucky

 

hey chucky,
i have to agree with your method. that is exactly how i start her up when cold out. works very well. never had a problem stalling as long as you dont touch the gas until the engine idles by herself without the choke on. once your warmed up, floor it and go man go!!!

 

Don't you guys even give it any gas to get it started at all? I have always feathered the throttle to get it started. Then baby sit it for a while so it doesn't stall.

 

Monte-- Mine has always started well under 30 degress. Starts, and runs at a brisk idle, BUT after about 2 min. you have to take the choke all the way off, and "baby sit" for about 30 sec.., then it'll idle on it's own.

 

no gas at all until i turn the choke off after a few minutes. hasn't stalled yet. 10 hours and about 100 miles later.