Yeah I drained it, but I am pretty sure the problem was water in the gas from condensation or a leak in the gas cap. The bike was just not getting fuel. It would start with the fast idle/choke for about 3-4 seconds, then die. Thiswas after I had cranked on the throttle5-6 times. If I didn't crank on the throttle at all, it just wouldn't start. The bike just seemed like it was starved of fuel and I think a water bubble kept fuel from getting to the carb. I don't think the carb cleaner helped, but I wanted get it started.I figured I would just go overkill and use it anyway.

 

OK, I'm thinking out loud again...how many hard to start bikes have an after market air filter? I was just thinking, and was wondering if the free flow filters are an issue. With a stock filter, there is a stronger draw of fuel because it's harder to pull air through the well oiled filter. I do believe the fuel gets stale in the bowl, but I also think if there is more fuel drawn in, the fresher tank fuel would mix faster and fire more easy. Does that sound sensible?

K&N filter.

 

That does sound sensible, but I ain't no pro.I have the stock airfilter on though. My bike usually starts fine, except that time.

 

When mine is hard to start (cold) I just open and close the choke while holding the start button. I don't touch the throttle. Works every time

 

Went for a short family ride on Saturday, and went to start the wife's 2006 XT 225 that had been sitting for over a month and a half, turned on the gas, waited for 10 seconds, pulled the choke, and hit the starter and booyaa it started right up, hardly turned over twice before it was running. Chalk another up for the hard start shutdown procedure.

 

I'm running the stock filter, but with the lid off if that helps.

 

Hello: all:
Justy wanted to give a little feedback hereon the drain the carb / run it out of gas theroy.
IT WORKS !!!!
Having read all the posts about draining the bowl and such, I was still a bit concerned with the issue. I have not needed to do this with previous bikes so I was very skeptical of the process, but have had a starting issue with this bike since I bought it 1/2/2006. Starts great when riding everyday, but leave it sit aweekor two and your SOL.
My bikewas stored in the garage up at the lake since lastDec 1st.
So we opened the place up this past weekend.After getting my Honey- Dew list completed,out to the garage. I put the battery in, drained the bowl, turned on the gas, cranked it for maybe 2-3 secs, and she took off!
Also when running it dry, if you let it run on high idle, it will run dry in about a minute.

FYI - The bike has a HMF, KDX snorle, no backfire screen, and 125-42-.030 jetting.

 

Ahhhhhh yes!!! Another success story, awesome man.....simply awesome.

 

Another convincing win for Deej's sure-fire Get-R-Runnin' starting procedure! [sm=signs007.gif]

Ok, Deej, here's the next challenge:

Now that you've figured out the "How", can you figure out the "Why"?

(The "Why" is not as important as the "How", but it would be interesting to know.)

 

I agree, inquisitive minds need to know. I'll keep researching.