I tried looking through the past posts, but to no avail.

I have a 2006 500R, and it's been running perfectly fine until lately. I've only got 4300 miles on it, oil changed at 3K, etc.

It's developed a sort of grabbing in between 5-7K RPM, and it's getting pretty scary. If I blow through the gears, I won't even notice a problem, but if I'm cruising anywhere between 5 and 7, it will lurch and buck and throw me around a bit, which is quite scary in turns. At the same time, if I'm in first gear going anywhere over 3500RPM, it sounds like it's bogging down and feels a lot slower than it used to be.
Today, I was turning it on and even though I had the choke fully engaged for it to warm up, the RPMs didn't increase like they normally do, it just sort of stayed around 1100 sputtering and sounding terrible.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks,
Sheric.

 

It's better to use minimum choke required to warm up at 2.5krpm.

Maybe the jets are clogged?

 

What's the temperature like right nowwhere you live?

 

In the cooler weather, (below 50F) a carbureted engine tends to run slightly lean due to the denser air that has more oxygen. Sometimes you may notice a lack of power in certain RPM ranges that you might nottypically notice because of this temperature difference. If your problem just started at the same time it got cold outside, wait until a warmer day to see if it runs a little better.

 

First, I agree with Rubix. A choke's purpose is not to "warm-up" your engine. It's only to keep it running long enough for you to put on your helmet and gloves and get underway. Then disengage that choke as early as you can, while still keeping the engine running. Also, take it nice and gently until your thermometer's needle creeps up into the [normal] range.

By the time you're revving at 3,000+ rpm, the choke should be completely off, (lever forward.)

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Peace!
-Chris in Carlsbad, CA

 

I use the choke only to warm up, just as you described (helmet, gloves... then push it forward and go)... I leave for work in the morning when it's about 70 degrees out, and when I ride home from work it's around 90 degrees... the grabbing/bucking is still there, and it doesn't really varyfrom the cold in the mornings to the heat in the afternoon. Could the jets be clogged, and if so, what can I do about that?

 

if you ride it daily, I don't think it could be the jets, but then again, somethimes things happen for no apparent reason.I'm thinking the grabbing and bucking may come from inconsistent fuel/air delivery assuming you are being smooth on the throttle?

have you done all the maintenance required for the 4k tuneup? air filter, valve clearances, hoses, etc? It should be all in the manual. https://www.kawasakiforums.com/m_89663/tm.htm

 

hmm, I see a plug chop in order.

 

I would say that it's the plugs but not totaly sure on this one it could be a few things. maybe you have some bad gas. I would check the plugs and see about getting the carbs claeaned hopefully that will help

 

i never have to use my choke. only on the coldest mornings, and then it doesnt even need full choke.

if its warm out, it just starts right up