motorbike will not start, engine just turns over?

Question

Hi everyone, Im having a problem with my Suzuki GZ 125, im new to bikes and although ive spent a while looking through the manual and looking on the internet im having no joy.

The bike was working fine a few days ago when i rode into my local city, i got back, left it for a few hours and tried to use it again that night, the engine just turned over and over without starting...

I tried running along with the bike trying to start it as that usually does the trick but it still would not work and the battery flattened from the repeated attempts. So, after buying a charger and recharging, i have tried changing the spark plug with another one, (also not new but nowhere is open today to buy a new one) and the engine just keeps turning over still.

No idea where to go from here, anyone got any suggestions? thanks :-)

thanks for all the quick answers,
if you need any more information about the bike please tell me specifically what you need and i will provide it for you.

I checked the kill switch on the handlebars, its definately set to the correct position i would have kicked myself (with joy!) if that was the problem ;-)

how would you go about cleaning the fuel line if that is the problem?

i tried the test with the spark plug.

when pulling it back from the engine it is not wet, but also, when trying to press the ignition with the spark plug attatched to the lead and touching the engine i cannot see any spark.

i am probably doing something wrong - new at motorbikes but enjoying learning

Answer 1

Hi there, remove spark plug and fit into cap, touch sparkplug onto engine and DO NOT TOUCH with hands as you try to turn over engine with kickstart or starter, the plug should spark, please make sure you have the ignition ON. If it sparks then igntion side is ok.
Replace plug and try to start, remove plug and if its wet and smelly then fuel is getting through, If not then check fuel lines and carburettor/fuel bowl. Choke might be sticking on too!
Good Luck
btw check that you have not touched the engine run switch on the controls too.
Have a Happy New Year.

Answer 2

You say that you've tried bump starting it as this usually does the trick. So this isn't the first time then!
An intermittent problem like this is usually electrical , which on a modern bike means the electronic ignition box (cdi). Check all connections from the cap to the coils and all the way back to this box looking for a good fit, signs of rust or wires hanging on by a thread. Give it all a good squirt of WD 40 and try again.
If you don't find the box you could still have the old fashioned points system which is much cheaper and easyer to fix. let us know how you get on

Answer 3

Now then. This is going to sound blatantly obvious but I've done this myself. Have you got enough fuel in the tank to be above reserve? You may have what sounds like a lot of fuel but it maybe just below the line. If you don't know, your reserve switch is usually located on the left as you sit on it and just beneath the fuel tank. Also GSF's answer is a good one. Try that too.
And don't sell your bike for a car. Two wheels will always be best.

Answer 4

You mentioned that the plug was not wet, so my guess would be that the gas is turned off, or out of gas.

On the bottom left? side of the gas tank should be a petcock.

You can take a can or cup, place it under the petcock, After turning it off pull out the gas line underneath, making sure that you capture any leaking fuel in the cup (Do not do this indoors). If you don' t get any fuel, turn the petcock until you do, then turn it back off again and reconnect the fuel line. This verifies that you are getting fuel to the carb, and what position is really on/off of the Petcock.

Good luck.

Answer 5

It could be the battery might need replacing or could be the damp weather. I had the same problem myself I had to keep the battery charged, I was going to replace it but some chav's nicked it and burnt it out. I had the last laugh though because the battery was in the house being charged, so they didnt ride it. They just wheeled round the corner and torched it.

You could get a can of engine starter just spray it on and then your engine should start.

Answer 6

you need spark and fuel if the fuel filter is clogged or tank empty
then look for reserve setting the valve may be off reserve or full on.
take spark plug out of head put plug into wire and touch to ground at electrode to see if theres spark
look for electrical wires that have fallen off back trace from plug and check connections

Answer 7

Check the pet-c o c k, the lever on the fuel line, could have accidently been turned or intentionally, flip it the other way and try to start it again...also check the kill-switch on the handlebars next to the starter button, make sure it's at the "on" position...check your fuel filter to see if it is clogged...look in the tank to be sure you have gas.
Good luck!

Answer 8

try starting it with the battery charger installed. i.e. jump starting. This happened to me the other day and was just a low battery. The engine may not be spinning fast enough to start. Also with a 125, you could put it in 1st get going and release the clutch, that might work. I couldn't get it to work with my 600 though.

Good luck!

Answer 9

checked to see if u r getting spark to the plug? r u getting gas to the carb? to see simply take the gas line off the carb and turn on the gas. if it runs out of the line u r getting gas. check for spark on plug.What year is your bike? some times i run a hotter plug in mine. BE CAREFUL if u do, u can burn hole in your piston. check to see if it has points. let me know, and good luck

Answer 10

Try the cleaning fuel line, or changing spark plug.