CRF's Only Forums

06 CRF250r having a hard time starting.
I used to race a 2 stroke CR so I am new to the 4 strokes.
It takes a lot of kicks to get my bike started but once it starts it runs fine. The compression seems to be fine by the feel of the kick start. It seems like if I put it in gear and roll it a little bit it seems to start faster. Weird I know.
If I shut it off it takes me a long time to start it back up weather I use the hot start or not.
The bike did sit for a while before I bought it and I have barely ran through the tank of gas that was in it. Could it be the gas? I have purchased the enzyme fuel treatment to put in the gas but haven't used it yet. I hear it works good. Any thoughts on that?
It would be nice to start my bike in a couple kicks rather than taking 10 minutes then trying to catch up with everyone.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

OK , if the gas sat more than a month get rid of it , pour it in your lawn mower or car , it will run fine in them , you need FRESH Premium for these bikes to run ,period

When it runs does it pop thru the muffler at all when the gas is let off ??

If it does then i would bet the jets are clogged , if they are you need this http://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/product ... ts_id/4294 , if you dont want to get the cleaner tool , then buy a new Pilot Jet , , also you need to make sure its jetted for your elevation , if you just bought it and it came from somewhere with a major elevation difference it will need to be re-jetted

$ Strokes have a Fuel Screw instead of a Air Screw like 2 strokes , in leans the mixture , out richens it , it is at the bottom front of the carb , you might have to tilt the carb to get to it , i would start at 1 1/2 turns and go from there , if you have to go in to less than 1 turn , its too rich on the pilot jet , if you have to go out more than 3 turns , its too lean on the pilot jet , its kind of hard to get at , so getting a Flex Jet makes life so much easier http://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/product ... ts_id/2792 , it puts the screw on the side of the carb , by the idle screw so you can just reach down and adjust it without any tools

If your going to work on it yourself , you need to buy a Factory Service Manual , you can get them here or at your local dealer , dont get a Clymers , its not as good as the Honda Factory Manual

http://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/product ... ts_id/3226

After you get the manual , you need to check your valves also , just because it kicks hard does not mean the valves are not out of adjustment

For checking your valves you need this http://www.crfsonly.com/catalog/product ... ts_id/5034 , its made to get into the tight space to check the valves , its too hard to get a regular automotive one in where you need it

Welcome to the world of 4 Strokes , lol , once you get the hang of it , maintenance is a breeze

I had this problem when i got my 250, for me it was my technique. Now i can start my bike fist kick!:D what i do is...

1.Slowly kick down until u reach the compression stroke(is will be harder to kick down)
2.(Usually only when cold starting)Give the throttle around 4 twists
3.(Usually only when cold starting)Have left hand on the choke(closed), Kick the bike hard and open choke at the same time.

If my bike doesn't start first kick when it's hot I pull the hot start, if it still doesn't start i give the throttle 4 twists.

If all else fails kick while holding the throttle open a little.

And remember the key to starting is slowly rotating to the compression stroke then kicking.

Hope this helps!