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New bike, takes a couple tries to start.

BourbonNcigars

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Have tried upping the idle slightly to no avail. It starts fine after it's been running and already warm. Cold takes two or three attemps, though. It will be a while before I can get back to the dealer, so I was looking for some ideas here. Thanks.
 
What is your idle set at now? It should be around 1250-1300. Is it a problem all the time or only when it is cold out? If it happens only when cold out, it could be your thermowax unit needs adjusting or replacing. Are you letting the fuel pump prime when you first turn the key on before hitting the starter button? I make a habit to do this and my bike starts first try every time.
 
What is your idle set at now? It should be around 1250-1300. Is it a problem all the time or only when it is cold out? If it happens only when cold out, it could be your thermowax unit needs adjusting or replacing. Are you letting the fuel pump prime when you first turn the key on before hitting the starter button? I make a habit to do this and my bike starts first try every time.
Yep, just when it's cold. I set the idle up to 1300 from the original 1000 to see if that helped yesterday. Ran into the thermowax issue while googling before I asked here. I do let the fp prime.

No biggie. It's nothing they can't fix when I get a chance to take it back to the dealer. It's just a tiny annoyance. If all I have to worry about is hitting a half inch button twice instead of once, I'm doing pretty damn good.;) Tons of other shit out there I could be concerned with. But...thank you for the suggestions.
 
Brand new bike or used, but new to you? How many tanks have you gone through? If the gas is old, it may be one of the reasons. Perhaps run Seafoam for 1 tank. Only applicable if the bike is used.
 
When I first owned my FZ1,I had a little trouble starting it after comming from a 919 hornet.now it`s start`s first time,I just changed the throttle opening a little,I do`nt even realize I am doing it how.
 
Have not noticed this on my 2012, just for comparison. Mine starts first click even after not riding her for weeks.

I'm no FZ expert, but could the idle be too low? Where is your idle at when the bike does get running when started cold? I keep my idle set probably just a drop too high at 1350-1400 rps. Seems to run the smoothest right there.

Good luck! --MW
 
I know the op is taking it to the dealer to get fixed but for anyone else with this issue, it can also be a TPS that needs adjusting or is out of spec.
 
My 2012 bought new this year has never experienced this issue. I have almost 6K miles and it started first time everytime. (Except when the kill switch is in the off position :retard:).
 
my 08 does this, just started recently as it got cold out, and my 08 R6 did it as well. Turn key on, move kill switch to on, let fuel prime and go to start and it almost starts and dies. then try again and no problem.

if you blip throttle quickly before starting it will fire up.

not sure why it does it, hasn't even bothered me too much but it is annoying. I run premium always and usually non ethanol when I can.
 
Premium fuel may be the culprit. It doesn't combust as easily as regular to prevent pre-detonation (pinging) in higher compression engines.

I use 87 octane unleaded and up to 10% ethanol (sign on the pump) without any issues. (That's what is recomended in the Yamaha manual.)
 
Premium fuel may be the culprit. It doesn't combust as easily as regular to prevent pre-detonation (pinging) in higher compression engines.

I use 87 octane unleaded and up to 10% ethanol (sign on the pump) without any issues. (That's what is recomended in the Yamaha manual.)

You may be the winner, OB. At least I hope you are...

On the trip back from the dealer I almost ran completely out of gas. Was singing and having a grand ol' time and forgot all about the fuel gauge. Found a crappy little run down station and filled up with 93 octane. I'd read most of the manual before deciding to purchase, but didn't remember the fuel recommendation, so I decided on premium.

Yesterday I ran it empty to check mileage, filled up with 87, and it's started without hesitation every time since.
 
Add seafoam to the gas, I do it about every 10 fill ups and it keeps the Injectora clean and bike running very smoth

I am a HUDGE advocate of Seafoam treatments, not just in the tank though.

I don't know that every ten fill ups is necessary, unless you are pouring about an once or so in there. I keep some on hand and seem to pour some in once a month or two months in my bike/ all previous FI bikes - even some carbed. I suppose that probably equates to less then ten fill ups now that I am thinking more critically about it!
 
I'm not a big fan of SeaFoam for regular use. Maybe once a year to clean up the fuel system/injectors.

Lets step back and think about this for a second ............ Everyone hates that we have ethanol added to our fuel now ( alcohol ) it's less efficient, separates, causes issues with water and deteriorates fuel-lines, gaskets and seals ( deterioration is more of an issue on older bikes )

Then on the other hand everyone wants to add SeaFoam all the time..... which is also alcohol ( up to 20% alcohol in SeaFoam )

SeaFoam is just naphtha, light oil and alcohol. Nothing special, no magic ingredients. Search " seafoam MSDS " for conformation.


Most if not all of the 50 states have a percentage of ethanol already added to our fuel. Why add more alcohol on a regular basis in any form ???

The chart on this page can give you an idea of what your adding to your tank with different stabilizers so you can make an informed choice. http://www.fuel-testers.com/is_gas_additive_safe_with_e10_list.html
 
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My bike often takes 2 attempts once in a while 3 to start when cold. Really don't consider it to be an issue at all. Cycling the key/fuel-pump twice before starting seems to cure that 90% of the time.

Ride more worry less, having to hit the starter twice on a cold start is not a big deal :) I would not consider it a problem at all unless it takes 3-4 or more attempts on a regular basis.

I've seen this issue brought up enough times on the forums I consider it normal behavior and just a quirk common to the Gen II FZ1.

The only things I would check is that the thermowax unit is working ( the bike high idles when cold ) and that the fuel line under the tank is not kinked.

Search thermowax or fuel line mod for information on those issues .
 
I'm not a big fan of SeaFoam for regular use. Maybe once a year to clean up the fuel system/injectors.

Lets step back and think about this for a second ............ Everyone hates that we have ethanol added to our fuel now ( alcohol ) it's less efficient, separates, causes issues with water and deteriorates fuel-lines, gaskets and seals ( deterioration is more of an issue on older bikes )

Then on the other hand everyone wants to add SeaFoam all the time..... which is also alcohol ( up to 20% alcohol in SeaFoam )

SeaFoam is just naphtha, light oil and alcohol. Nothing special, no magic ingredients. Search " seafoam MSDS " for conformation.


Most if not all of the 50 states have a percentage of ethanol already added to our fuel. Why add more alcohol on a regular basis in any form ???
I have a few gas stations here in GA where there is NO ethanol used, so
I'm happy using seafoam every 10 or so fill ups, i just add little bit and I feel the difference in that thank, is like adding octane boster lol,
but what ever rocks your boat :dontknow:
 
I have a few gas stations here in GA where there is NO ethanol used, so
I'm happy using seafoam every 10 or so fill ups, i just add little bit and I feel the difference in that thank, is like adding octane boster lol,
but what ever rocks your boat :dontknow:


I dont see any problem with using it every 10 fill ups or every couple thousand miles to keep the fuel system/injectors clean.

Its the people constantly adding alcohol to fuel that already has alcohol in it that I find confusing.
 
For the record, it's been two and a half months since I posted this and it hasn't hesitated once since then. I've used only 87 octane after that one premium fill-up.

Never considered Seafoam for a bike. I've used it in my Tahoe, though. I'm sure the neighbors loved the cloud of smoke floating down the street.
 
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