My motorcycle won't stay running unless I give it some throttle...?

Question

I have a 96 rf600, the battery is charged and everything. The coolant is a bit low but doesn't seem to heat up. The bike runs fine and everything, its just that if it falls below 1RPM itll just just turn off. It dies in idle which basically means 1 rpm

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks

Answer 1

Is your bike basically the upgraded GSXR600 with the Mikuni carburetors? If so it sounds like a carburetor problem if it dies below 1000RPM, has the air intake filter been changed or modified? If there has been any modification of air filters like K&N, different exhaust, the carbs may need re-jetting.
It could be many things:
airintake or tickover screw or dirty filters
carbs have gone out of balance
dirt in the carbs/jets need cleaning
cv rubbers/springs have gone in the carbs

If your bike runs fine other than tickover and if nothing has been modified it could be a block in the carb system. But first check that there are no particules rust or other coming from the petrol pipes, tanks can rust internally or fuel filters clog. Check the air filter, mucky filters can cause this problem. If you eliminate these it will be down to the carbs.
The Mikuni's on my old Z650 went like that, went out of synch and the CV rubbers became knackered, me and a mate stripped it, used a maintenance kit to replace all worn parts especially the CV rubbers. Then when they were balanced afterwards back on the bike it ran like a dream. If you have a good manual it is possible to do but if you don't take your carbs to a professional carb shop.
Good luck
Andy

Answer 2

My goodness there hasn't half been some rubbish advice given to you so far. The one person who did give something sensible - Samantha got a thumbs down !!!

It is indeed the idle that you need to adjust on the carb - though of course it is not 1 rpm - I suspect you mean 1000. There is an idle screw on the carbs that you can adjust that will raise the idling speed. Get hold of a manual and it well set you straight as to which one it is.

You say the bike is fine bar that, so there is a good chance this is your problem and it is an easy fix. Top the coolant up though, the levels are there for a reason. It is a heat exchanger and if you are not giving it enough fluid to transfer that heat then you will get problems before too long.

Best of luck

Answer 3

you say 1 rpm, do you mean 100 or 1000? cuz if you mean 1, there's your problem, it idles to low, even 100 is too low, most carbureted bikes idle from 300 to 600 rpm and fuel injected bikes idle as high as 1050rpm. Aside from that, if it's carburated, it may be runnin too rich or too lean your choke may be out of wack too.

Answer 4

The carb jets or fuel injectors (if so equipped)are plugged with old dried fuel. Fresh gas and "jet cleaner" WILL NOT fix the problem. carb needs to come off and the jets cleaned. Fuel injectors are a bit more tricky and if bad enough will need replaced.

Answer 5

You don't say if it's only at the start or throughout. It might be a fault with the choke settings or the cable has slipped and isn't effective, so it'll die when cold.
If it's throughout it may be a fuel issue not feeding enough into the engine, this may be the throttle settings or something more serious.
Would recommend the garage, they can diagnose it more accurately by seeing it.

Answer 6

Try turning the idle speed up by the idle adjustment screw.

Answer 7

sounds like the carbs.
too rich or lean - dirty or clogged.
give them a squirt of wd40 to clean or go to the bike repair shop

Answer 8

what about trying to adjust the tick over by finding the slow running screw on the carb

Answer 9

Adjust the idle

Answer 10

is the spark plug gapped correctly? did you try to replace the spark plug? are any fuels lines partially clogged? what does the air filter look like? is your fuel filter clean?