If the battery is down at all it will turn over but not have enough to fire the poor little lean motor. And the cold makes it worse. I have had to jump mine lots of time, soon as I hit it with the extra amps it lit right up. Tom Edison and I worked on his carb drilled out the fuel screw and put in a bigger pilot jet[don't remember what size 38 I think] and had to charge the battery [?] but it started and didn't take as long to warm up.hth

 

two good threads:
https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum...ompleted-8886/

Kawasaki KLX 250 slip on - HMF Engineering Forums

 

If it wasn't for this problem, Kawasaki would be getting $5200 MSRP for these bikes and there would be no cheap left-overs from '09 for us to score. Kawasaki probably doesn't realize they've created a cult classic bike. I'm just glad they made enough of them so there's stuff available for them.

 

Cult Classic I agree.

 

When I bought mine last year same thing. I could not start it, keep it running.... thought, WTF did I just buy! But after research here, light mod's, it has come to be the most reliable bike I have ever owned. After jetting, pipe, opening up air box, it never fails to start hot or cold. Follow the advise you get here and you will never be sorry you bought this bike, but the first few days will make you crazy!

 

So,,,, you bought a leftover '09 that has been sitting around with gas in it for how long?
Did you even think that the jets have a little varnish ?
Did the dealer even think they needed to clean it out before delivery?
If you left your bike with fuel in it for as long as taht one sat in the showroom do you think the gas hasn't gummed up?
COme on now, you know better than that. Just because the bike is new to you doesn't mean that it hasn't sat for a long time with gas in the carb.

 

I have had the identical experience of many KLX owners whereby the engine simply refuses to start, or even sputter, when cold. I was aware of this issue before purchasing a KLX and I was prepared for all of the rituals (shaking the bike, run the carb dry, lean the bike over, etc) and remedies (install a primer, drill the enricher jet, etc) but frankly, the owner of a brand new bike should not have to go through any of these ridiculous exercises, and it is further inexcusable the Kawasaki let such a relatively simple bike, with such a major flaw, get to market.

Having said that, I have found the only foolproof way to get the engine to fire without any modification to the bike, or any unusual action, is to simply:
• turn the fuel tap on
• turn the ignition on
• press the starter button
• while starter is cranking the engine begin pulling the choke **** out slowly
By the time the choke **** has reached the point just before it fully engages, the bike will have started. Riding year round in Canada means that sometimes the ambient temperature is as low as -10C (14F). This method has worked without exception in these conditions.

By all means, if you’ve got the carb off to re-jet anyway, drill the enricher out while you’re at it, but I’d encourage other frustrated owners to try this simple method first.

 

I played with the bike alittle today, Wouldn't start, but i know the battery is low. It would sputter like it kinda wanted to fire. That was one thing I asked when I bought the bike, it has fresh gas and the carb was clean. I guess the only way to tell is too tear the carb out and check. Can't trust any dealer.

 

I know you just dropped a lot of $ on the bike but I would recomend a pumper carb. Either a mikuni from Bill Blue or a FCR . Your starting problems will go away and the bike will react more to the flick of the wrist. I have used the cvk and both pumpers and can not be bothered with a CVK again.

Thats my opinion for what its worth.

If your keeping the CVK then I belive your starting problems could be a bunch of small factors adding up.

1. as said change to fresh gas
2 Bike should start better as the engine gets broke in
3. try jumping the battery to a vehicle. The exta available amps may spin the motor that little bit faster makeing starts happen eisier. If this makes large difference consider replacing the battery.

 

My 0.02, for what it is worth since you've had lots of good replies... . I had mine jetted and an FMF slip-on installed before I even took possession. It ALWAYS starts on the first try, even at well below freezing. Even after sitting for an extended period it fires up without difficulty.

Good luck.