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I bought the 150RB and have not brought it home yet, Tomorrow is the big day.

When I had the salesman try to start the bike... it wasn't happening, Even when he rode it down a steep 50 foot concrete ramp to push start the bike, It wouldn't fire.

We walked it down to the service area and 3 different mechanics couldn't
kick it to life... All along they were saying its finicky like the 450R.

Finally, A mechanic took out the plug, It was wet, He put a butane torch to it and got it quite hot, Re-installed the plug and it fired about the 5th kick or so while the plug was still hot.

Are these bikes that much of a PITA to start?
Could there be an ignition or carburation problem?

I would like to make sure it works well before I take delivery of a bike without a warrantee.

arrgh wrote:I bought the 150RB and have not brought it home yet, Tomorrow is the big day.

When I had the salesman try to start the bike... it wasn't happening, Even when he rode it down a steep 50 foot concrete ramp to push start the bike, It wouldn't fire.

We walked it down to the service area and 3 different mechanics couldn't
kick it to life... All along they were saying its finicky like the 450R.

Finally, A mechanic took out the plug, It was wet, He put a butane torch to it and got it quite hot, Re-installed the plug and it fired about the 5th kick or so while the plug was still hot.

Are these bikes that much of a PITA to start?
Could there be an ignition or carburation problem?

I would like to make sure it works well before I take delivery of a bike without a warrantee.

no! first you have to get the carb jetted correctly. the pilot circuit is lean and the accelerator pump needs some fine tuning. we've had good results with the white brother carb kit that we carry in our catalog. however, even with this kit you need to start it differently then the 450r (which btw is the easiest bike to start). if you've ever started a 2 stroke the 150r is somewhat similar. it likes a little throttle when starting unlike the big bore crfs. make sure the choke is on when doing this.

ken

Thanks for the quick reply Ken, I pick up the bike this morning, I think I'll have them start it for me just to ease my mind.

I have a broke hand and have no grip on the throttle to do my own starts.
I get the pin pulled out of my hand on Tuesday, Hopefully, I'll be able to ride within a couple of weeks.

In the owners manual, It says to use no throttle at 30 degrees F+. ( I live in Florida) its almost always warm.
I read somewhere else on this site, Open fuel, Pull choke, Add 3 twists on the throttle and kick.

I'll try em all... and keep another plug on hand just in case.
Will get the jet kit soon.

Thanks again,
Rick

yes...i should have mentioned the whacking of the throttle a few times before kicking. this essentially primes the carb. good luck with the hand and the starting. it really starts quite easily if jetted and the proper technique is used.

ken

Update:
Picked up the bike, I had the sales man start it up, A couple of whacks, it came to life.
He told me after the first hard starting episode, It happened again when the same mechanic tried to start my bike a couple of days later.

The mechanic changed the spark plug and adjusted the jetting, I don't know if they changed any of the jets, I was told by the mechanic they've had the same hard start issues on a couple of the 150R's.
It may have been leaned out from the factory for emission standards.

I had my brother in law run the bike on their 3 acre track so I could check it out.
He was having fun, Lifted the front easily, Big bark for a little bike!

He romped on the bike for a total of 30 laps... He will probably be getting one.

The engine seemed to break up a little in the higher RPM's, I think its still a lean issue...
Just need a new jet kit... and Full exhaust.... Re-sprung .... New triple.... Oh crap, Its happening again...

We did not give it a few whacks on the throttle before kick starting it today.

I wanted to start it strictly by the manual today and adjust the starting procedure each day when the bike is stone cold, It was a little stubborn starting today- 4 to 10 kicks to start usually, We started the bike several times, All different cool down intervals.
It seemed to warm start pretty easy.

Next time... Pull choke, three whacks on the throttle before kicking.

Ken,
Your bike has been re-jetted, Do you still give it a few twists even though you've jetted it richer?

Rick

That break up at high revs might be you bouncing off the rev limiter...

Joe

That break up at high revs might be you bouncing off the rev limiter..

That is probably the case, I wasn't riding.
I thought the 150R had a pretty high rev limit, ( over 14000 rpm? ) I'm probably not use to the sound of the bike yet.

Rick

This is how my 150r is setup BBR pipe no insert, White Brothers carb kit, stock filter and BBR springs front and rear.

The W.B.carb kit works awesome but I used a larger main jet. It start much easier and no bog or hesitation at any rpm just follow the instructions.

This bike rips for a mini I'm having lots of fun hope you can get on yours soon.

Scott

This is how my 150r is setup BBR pipe no insert, White Brothers carb kit, stock filter and BBR springs front and rear.

The W.B.carb kit works awesome but I used a larger main jet. It start much easier and no bog or hesitation at any rpm just follow the instructions.

This bike rips for a mini I'm having lots of fun hope you can get on yours soon.

The BBR pipe is what I'm looking at for my setup, "Beautifully made pipe" I will mostly be trail riding and low end to mid torque is what I'm looking for, I guess the R/T header pipe is what I want.

I weigh about 160 lbs. with gear, Springs are a serious consideration.

I have the WB kit coming soon.

What main jet did you end up going with? I would like to have a couple sizes by this weekend to play with.

straight wb carb kit in our 150r and it rips. the bbr is an incredible work of functional art.

ken

I used a 138 main @ 2500 feet and about 56 degrees out when I did a plug check and it was a med tan color.

Scott

So far i've only changed the slow jet or pilot jet to a 45 sea level currently 30-35 degrees. Bike starts way better but may have to go up a little more. Haven't touched the main or needle yet i'm waiting for them.