2009 starting

[crf250r04]

I just bought a 2009 yz450 and I was wondering if there is an easier way to start the bike, than just pulling out the choke and kicking.

thanks

[FinchFan194]

New bikes can be hard to start until they break in. My 08 I just got new took me sometimes 20 kicks to get going until it broke in a little bit now it starts first or second kick every time even when hot.

[saccityfire]

My 09 was the same as FinchFan's. Remember to just push slow and steady on the kick start until it feels "firm" then kick hard. I used to just kick it without this and it took many kicks cause it wasn't on the right part of the stroke.

[FinchFan194]

Yep I agree always make sure its on the compression stroke as I imagine otherwise it hard on your kickstarter gear to suddenly take that load on from the compression stroke.

[Wes Woodin]

I always twist the throttle 4-6 times prior to starting. This primes the carb and get fuel into the cylinder. I will also say that if the leak jet isn't right you won't get ample squirt into the cylinder thus making it harder to start. Probably not the problem. New bike need to get broken in. Good luck

[Suzi450]

I always twist the throttle 4-6 times prior to starting. This primes the carb and get fuel into the cylinder. I will also say that if the leak jet isn't right you won't get ample squirt into the cylinder thus making it harder to start. Probably not the problem. New bike need to get broken in. Good luck

I would never touch the throttle before it was running, my yz didn't like that at all, I had to leave my hand off it while starting and it would start three kicks cold usually and one kick hot. Once it fired I would turn it but never before or I would be kicking till my leg was falling off.

[grayracer513]

I had to leave my hand off it while starting and it would start three kicks cold

Do that with any YZ450 I'm familiar with in cold weather, especially with factory jetting, and all you'll get for your trouble is a lot of exercise. Two to four good squirts on the throttle prior to a cold start will bring most of them to life inside two kicks.

Hot starting is another matter, of course, and they will flood quite easily.

[Drfletcherdc]

I use to always prime my 4 stroke with a couple of twists of the throttle. I know most people tell you to leave your hand off the gas, but I use to crack the throttle just slightly and it would always fire up by the third kick.

[crf250r04]

Thanks for all the replies, I will have to see what works best, I havn't really tried anytihng but pulling out the choke and kicking.

[Pappy141]

Couldn't agree more with snapping the throttle 3-4 times when cold...Never when hot. My 08 started 1st or 2nd kick ALWAYS using that method. Good luck.

[Wes Woodin]

works every time

[TheHarp]

2 quick hits on the throttle before a cold start does the magic for my 08.

[jratcliffe3]

I just bought a new 09, (only ridden once due to rubbish weather in the UK!). i have found the best way to start cold is 3-4 squirts on the throttle, then kick with 1/8 to 1/4 throttle. Be careful with this though, it will kick back!

I've heard they get easier as they get more used.

Hot it starts first kick on the hot start, my idle is adjusted so it just ticks over.

[saccityfire]

works every time

"Seventy percent of the time, it works every time!"

[Wes Woodin]

"Seventy percent of the time, it works every time!"

work on your jetting then

[dvn]

Just started my 09 for the first time tonight. It was a PITA! Took about 100 kicks. Something else that concerned me was, on a couple kicks, it felt like the kickstart kind of slipped and then caught making a scary noise. What do you suggest for a starting procedure for a new bike? Where do you guys have your fuel screws set? Thanks in advance for any help.

[FinchFan194]

I suggest you just kick til the cows come home warm it up really well and let it cool down for heat cycling then it will get better. My 08 did this same thing after the 3rd hear cycle it remedied 90% of the problem and after full break in it starts first or second kick 99% of the time. Even hot!

[grayracer513]

Just started my 09 for the first time tonight. It was a PITA! Took about 100 kicks.

And it was what, under 30 degrees, right? I'm not surprised. (Actually, it surprises me that it ran at all)

Starting cold in that kind of weather would require me to vigorously and repeatedly prime my rejetted '06 in order to get it lit. A stock '09, I imagine is about as lean as my new bike was, and mine needed one size larger pilot right off the bat to make it correct fo normal temps. The colder it is, and the colder the engine, the richer it needs to be. If you were going to ride the bike in that kind of temps, like say for ice racing, I'd suggest going up a step on the starter jet as well. If not, just try it in a heated garage next time, and remember to open the door once it starts.

[dvn]

And it was what, under 30 degrees, right? I'm not surprised. (Actually, it surprises me that it ran at all)

Starting cold in that kind of weather would require me to vigorously and repeatedly prime my rejetted '06 in order to get it lit. A stock '09, I imagine is about as lean as my new bike was, and mine needed one size larger pilot right off the bat to make it correct fo normal temps. The colder it is, and the colder the engine, the richer it needs to be. If you were going to ride the bike in that kind of temps, like say for ice racing, I'd suggest going up a step on the starter jet as well. If not, just try it in a heated garage next time, and remember to open the door once it starts.

I was in a semi-heated garage. About 55 degrees. I will be riding the bike this winter at an indoor MX facility that is not heated. Usually around 35-40 degrees inside. I changed the main to a 165. Do you think I should change the pilot right away as well? I have a 48 in my tool kit.

[grayracer513]

I would go up one step on the pilot at least for the winter, yes. As I said, you may also like it better with say a #75 starter jet for the season, as well.