Problem With a Ninja 250 HALP!

This is not how I intended to introduce myself here, but whatever.

My girlfriend got a Ninja 250 last summer and all summer it drove well. She parked it over the winter and never went out to her barn where she had it parked to start it up every week to ensure that it stays in running condition. She said it was too cold and didn't want to go out. Anyway, we go to start it now and it will turn over once or twice and then just click a bunch. We cannot get it to bump start. It moves around easily when it's in neutral but when it's in gear and the clutch is pulled in a lot of effort is needed to get it to move. The battery is fine and it has fuel. It worked perfectly before she parked it.

Cliffs: bike turns over then just clicks (starter?), hard to push when in gear with clutch pulled in but really easy to push when in neutral. Parked for a few months. Help.


P.S. my xj 550 started up and runs like a champ.


~Zar4

 

Sounds like a new battery, but you said yours was fine. I'd double check that the battery is fully charged, or even holding a charge.

 

For the record - when you park a bike DO NOT START IT every so often. Leave it off until you can take it for a proper ride. Next time stabilize the fuel and put the battery in place that doesn't freeze on a battery tender.

First thing to do is fully charge the battery. The hard to push isn't surprising. It has a wet clutch that sticks. I always duck waddle my bike and get the clutch plates moving. It takes weight off the starter later. Start it in neutral of course.

Clicking is a sign that there isn't enough charge in the battery. It might be salvageable.

I had to take apart a friends GS 500 this week... his idle circuits were clogged up. You might find yourself in a similar position, but right now it sure sounds as if at least one problem is the battery.

Also - for more detailed info on the 250 check out www.ninja250.com / www.ninja250.org. I admin over there and the FAQ is pretty damn good.

Woot.