08 KTM SXF 450 Problem

[DXL77]

My neighbour bought this bike on the weekend. It is Brand New. Started fine fine when he looked at it, fine when he got it home.
All of a sudden it will not start.
It seems as if there is no spark, but when grounded to the block there is lots of spark.
We have tried pulling the plug, cleaning it re gappping. That made no difference.
We tried Ether through the airbox, nothing!
We even tried dragging it around the block with a quad and jump starting the thing, Still nothing.
I am not a KTM guy, so I have no idea what the little quirks of these bikes are so I thought I'd ask.

Thanks

Don

[steve-o]

Is there gas in the tank, and is the petcock 'on', and is the fuel line not kinked?

[DXL77]

Yes to all three, we thought of that ! I know its simple but gets over looked !

[dirtyboy]

Brand new 4 st bikes can be tough to start because of the extra friction.

Fuel, compression, and spark and in the right amounts at the right times is all that is required.

Has the air filter been cleaned and redone? They always seem over-oiled with that green junk from the factory, IMO.

[Dobi]

as DB stated, these things are "TIGHT" from the factory.

My 07 SXF was a bear to start when new. I went to a larger pilot (42) and turn the idle screw in a turn or so. You could try and open up the fuel screw a bunch to see if the bigger pilot will help, but the pain to get to it you may as well rejet!

The factory plug that they come with is an issue too. It made for hard starting. I went with the plug from an 08 250F Kawasaki (can't remember plug numbers) and never had another problem. There is something about that KTM one that a few people have had issues with.

These beasts hate cold too. Anything below 10 above and they need some pre-heat with the exhaust from the truck for 10-15min.


once broken in my cold start routine was pull the choke, two twists of the throttle to give it a squirt of fuel and hit the button. worked every time

[DXL77]

Thanks for all the imput. I told my neighbour that you guys would have all have good ideas before he takes it to a shop.
He is changing the plugs to Dobi's suggestion and I will report when he has tried it.

[WR_Dave]

Don't forget the number one rule of a 4 staroke is to never jack around with the throttle while starting. A flooded 4 stroke will outlast your battery and your kicking leg and still not start.. WR Dave.

[Bark]

If the fuel has sat for awhile, consider draining the fuel from the tank & carb and refreshing with new fuel. It might help.

Good luck,
Bark

[Dobi]

Don't forget the number one rule of a 4 staroke is to never jack around with the throttle while starting. A flooded 4 stroke will outlast your battery and your kicking leg and still not start.. WR Dave.

Great News! the 450SXF has no kickstarter so your leg will never get tired from kicking.

Pushing yes, kicking no

[WR_Dave]

"""no kickstarter """" This is obviuosly an oversite from the good lads at the KTM factory. Good luck with the pushing or the tow rope ( those are always entertaining )
WR Dave

[Dobi]

"""no kickstarter """" This is obviuosly an oversite from the good lads at the KTM factory. Good luck with the pushing or the tow rope ( those are always entertaining )
WR Dave

you only push once, then you learn how to jet it properly and how to ride it harder

[DXL77]

That's right no kickstarter, thus dragging it around with the quad !! I don't understand why they don't have a backup kick. At least that was energy I could use having a "pop" instead of kicking the damn thing.

[dirtyboy]

The motocross bike is all about weight. I believe that the offroad versions have a kick starter as a backup.

[Dobi]

the 450/505XCF does not have a kick start either. The new Husabergs don't have one, neither do the BMW's (not 100% on that one).

Get used to it, they won't have kickstarters much longer on any of them.

And be warned, that new fangled fuel injection thingy might show up too soon enough.....

[dirtyboy]

Oh.

I guess for now my 2 stroke has both. Enjoy it while it lasts.