why does my bike kind of die when taking off from a stop

why does my bike kind of die when taking off from a stop

by First Time Rider
(Missouri)

Comments for
why does my bike kind of die when taking off from a stop

Aug 24, 2011

Mechanical difficulties...
by: Laura

Lets assume you are in first gear and have a good understanding of the throttle/clutch relationship.

My related story: I bought a used Honda Rebel 250 that did this too, sometimes. So hard to pinpoint an intermittent problem... urg. What it turned out to be for me was there were these beads of gunk in the small jet in my carburetor. Probably some adhesive a previous owner had used for some purpose or other. And it just ended up in my carburetor! Incorrect gas/air ratio = dying bike. Somebody already mentioned it here - maybe you need to clean your carb(s)?

Aug 24, 2011

Read this please
by: Maria

Ok, so you are at a complete stop.
1. With your clutch lever pulled all the way in, step on your shifter peg until you hear the bike "clunk" into first gear. If you are not sure, step on it a couple of times. Keep that clutch lever pulled in!
2. Slowly let out the clutch lever, and at the same time give the bike a tiny bit of gas with the throttle, until you feel the gears engage and the bike move forward.

Now you have to balance letting out the clutch and giving the bike gas until you can let go of the clutch lever. Please Google the term Friction Zone and read more about this.

If you understand the above, you just need to practice, as we all did. If you do not, run, don't walk (and please don't ride) to the nearest MSF class, where you will learn this stuff.

Yes, you have to practice, but the road is not a forgiving practice field, so work on it in a quiet spot like a parking lot.

Aug 09, 2011

Chokes
by: Lynne

I always have to use the choke when the bike has been cold for a few days to get it started. But you shouldn't drive with the choke on, just sit there and let the bike warm up until it will run without the choke on. If you drive with the choke on, it's going to run too rich and put unnecessary wear on the plugs and use more gas than you need. But I'm still putting my money on that you're not in 1st gear.

Aug 09, 2011

benefit of the doubt
by: Robin

I'll assume you know how to operate your bike. Does your bike have a manual choke? You might need to learn how to use that for a cold/ambient start. If your bike isn't warmed up, it could sputter and die until it's good to go. You also might just need a tuneup to get the carbs cleaned. Or there could be a problem with fuel delivery. If you're not a diy mechanic, take it in to a shop and get some help. A good mechanic will educate you, too.

Aug 09, 2011

Class alternative
by: Lynne

If there are no classes near you or you can't afford the two to three hundred dollars or you can't accommodate the class schedules, you might try calling around some bike shops in your area. Garage partys for women or newbies are getting more popular - they teach you a lot about a bike and some are free. Also there are demos on dyno's and some shops have free lessons where you can sit on the dyno and learn the whole clutch/ shift/ throttle/ brake process without ever actually driving a foot. The dyno's don't go anywhere because the rear wheel isn't touching the ground.

Aug 09, 2011

kinda of dies
by: Anonymous

I agree with the last comment needs a class or another class
If the bike is mechanicaly sound, only two reasons "the bike kinda of dies" you are in the wrong gear which means you don't know enough to down shift to 1st gear when comming to a stop or you need to apply more throttle when taking off. The throttle / clutch is just a matter of practice, the down shifting is something you should have learned in class

Aug 09, 2011

You missed my point
by: Anonymous

I won't fault anyone for not being able to master a skill right away. I understand the need (and requirement) for practice. What I'm saying is that if she doesn't understand "WHY" she can't get the bike going from a stop, she doesn't understand the whole premise of how a motorcycle operates and needs some more tutoring before getting out on the roads.

Aug 09, 2011

Takes Practice
by: Donna

I'm a new rider and did take a course. This is happening to me too and my husband, who's been riding for over 30 years, has advised it's a matter of me not giving it enough throttle. My husband and many of my friend riders say it's just a matter of practice. I'm staying on the residential roads around home until I am more experienced. Do not listen to the first comment that you shouldn't be riding, everyone starts as a beginner and maybe others should remember that.

Aug 09, 2011

Not sure you should even be riding
by: Anonymous

I'm going to voice what a lot of other people are thinking but are too polite to say: If you don't know WHY your bike dies when you're trying to take off, I question if you even have any business on a bike. Have you been thru a BRC class yet? Understanding and being able to apply the right mix of throttle and clutch is the most basic fundamental skill in riding a motorcycle. I'm not trying to be critical, but seriously, you don't sound to me like you should be on a bike if you don't understand this basic premise. For your own safety (and others around you), take the class. Or take it again if they didn't get this part of the lesson covered adequately.

Aug 09, 2011

Die when taking off
by: Pam

You may not have right combination of letting out clutch and excelerating on the throttle. As a new rider I have had several of those myself. I continue to spend time in my neighborhood just stopping and starting at stop signs. Ride safe.

Aug 09, 2011

1st thought
by: Lynne

My first thought is you are not starting out again from 1st gear. Sometimes you can get away with starting out i9n 2nd gear, but that takes some practice. If the bike is in a higher gear than first, and when you let the clutch out it goes kind of ch-chug-ch-ch-chuug,chhhh thhhhbbblt, you're probable in too high a gear. Just my hunch. Make sure when you stop you downshift all the way. If you r in 4th gear as you stop you have to downshift through 3rd and 2nd to get to 1st.

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