So I bought a klx250s with 9063 miles on it. Everything was going great until I crashed and had the bike sitting around while I gathered tools on one of my off days to repair the steering. Anyhow, it's been several days since I last fired her up briefly to test out the steering and now she won't start. I've read that it could be all kinds of issues from the battery to the spark plug to flooding etc.

Here is what I have as far as noobie diagnostics. The engine will turn, all the lights will turn on but she never holds her own in idle like she used to. All I get is turns without reaching idle rpm. The lights and the speedo display get dimmer with more attempts to start her.

I'd like to start from LEAST complicated to most complicated in troubleshooting the issue.

I hear the batteries on these bikes need to be recharged at times. Is this a good place to start? Where do I find one of these? Thanks in advance!

 

A hot battery is crucial, and you really should have a charger for all your vehicles with a battery...and get one that also has a trickle charge/battery tender circuit.

From there on, an internet diagnosis can be tough. I was thinking the crash might have screwed up one of the interlock switches in the clutch or sidestand, but you say the motor turns over. I also thought about a plugged pilot jet when you said that the bike had been sitting around for awhile, but then you mention "several days"...so that time frame shouldn't result in a plugged pilot jet.

Can you elaborate about the crash and where the damage was?...if there was any significant damage.

 

Hello TNC. When I went down the bike landed on it's right side. I was going 10-15mph while making a 90 degree right turn on a residential street. The steering was a bit off so I adjusted it and now it's back to normal. Other than that, the scrapes picked up during that crash look to be minor. Just to reiterate, the bike did start up less than 6 days ago...I took her for a spin while adjusting the steering until I got it straight. I'm hoping it's just the battery. Recently my car wouldn't start....even with a jump from another car. The dash lights came on..windshield wipers worked etc....but I couldn't get it to start. Anyhow, when the tow truck came around with it's double battery jumper setup my car finally started. I later took it to have the battery replaced and have had no issues since. Crossing my fingers that the klx is having just as simple an issue. Thanks again!

 

As TNC said: "trickle charger"
I think some have mentioned 2 amps or less for this battery. Don't throw on an automotive 6A charger.
I like the Battery Tender Battery Tender Plus - Batterytender.com

When my battery first went low, I was able to push (bump) start the bike, but it took several good attempts and it didn't run quite right until the bike's battery received several minutes of good charging from higher rpm running.

 

Hello IDRIDR.

Just got back from Walmart with a digital multimeter. Looks like my battery is pushing 11.6 volts at the moment. I'll shoot for the trickle charger! Thanks for the help guys!

 

Back again. Looks like it's something more than the battery not having enough voltage. I charged the battery with a battery tender up to 12.8V and tried to start it with no luck.

What's the next logical step?

TIA

Edit: On second thought it might STILL be the battery. The battery is definitely NOT new, so possibly it's charged BUT the amperage is shot. Hmmm....if I hook it up to my car, would that provide the amperage needed? I'll try this out in the morning. Wish me luck!

CAUTION!: To anybody thinking of jumping their bike...DON'T use the battery tender cables to do this! Use proper jump cables. From what I've read, the battery tender cables CANNOT handle the jump!

 

Mine is sometimes hard to start after sitting if I don't run the carb dry. Try turning the gas off and draining the carb. (there is a small allen head bolt on the fuel bowl for this) Then turn the gas back on and see if it will fire up.

 

A good number of these are hard starting. Draining the carb bowl, either by running it empty before shutting off, or later with the allen screw on the bowl, is known to do the trick. Some of us also drill out the enrichment (starter/choke) jet to 0.018" which does wonders.

 

To the OP, did this bike have any difficulty starting before the accident when starting the first time of the day? I'm probably the biggest proponent of drilling the often problematic starter jet on this carb, but if this hard or no-start issue only came up after the crash, then it's probably something else. These symptoms sure do sound like a fuel/carb issue, but your wreck doesn't sound like anything that would affect the carb. Are you sure the crash didn't pinch a fuel or vacuum hose somewhere? You fell on the right side. Is there any damage to the kill switch or wiring to that switch?

 

My kill switch likes to get stuck. I hate using it. When its stuck, the bike won't turn over.

Is your plug getting spark? Is it wet or fouled?

Does the bike pop or sputter or try to start whatsoever?

Got enough fuel (may sound like a stupid question, but worth asking)?

And yes, you should be able to jump the bike with your vehicle battery. I wouldn't have the vehicle running, though.