So you want to start a scooter. If the machine is in good condition, it shouldn't be difficult and can be done in different ways:
- Carburetor scooter starting
- Starting an injection scooter
Read on for a basic tutorial on how to start a motorcycle!
Prepare for start-up
Determine if you have a carburetor or injection scooter: Many scooters, especially older or less expensive models, are not equipped with modern fuel injection systems. If you are unsure, you can find out by looking for a choke control. It is normally located on the left handlebars, above the horn. Carbureted scooters have a choke, but fuel injected scooters do not.
Sit in the seat of your scooter when you start it: This will give you full control over everything that happens once it starts up. If for some reason you start the scooter without being mounted, be sure to shift into neutral (located between first and second gear) before starting the engine. You don't want the scooter to take off without you!
Make sure the scooter is in working order: You must have enough gasoline and a well-charged battery. It is important to maintain the motorcycle properly, especially in wet or cold weather. Install new spark plugs or, if they are not worn, clean and discard the old ones. Check the ignition advance and adjust it if necessary; if worn, have the ignition points replaced. Maintaining and cleaning the carburetor is also a good idea.
Replace the spark plug cables if they appear old, worn, or frayed. Use only spark plugs and cables recommended by the manufacturer - look for the part number in your motorcycle manual.
Check the oil level : Before starting an engine, make sure it is lubricated by checking the oil level. If there is no oil, or the oil level is too low, do not start the engine. Otherwise, it will heat up and then break down.
Check the battery: Put on the key and turn it clockwise until the lights come on. If the lights do not come on, it usually means the battery is dead and you must recharge it or install a new one.
Indispensable products in the verification:
- Carburetor cleaner
- Multimeter: To check the condition of your battery
- Spark plug
- Spark plug cables
Method 1: Starting a Carbureted Motorcycle
Step 1: Look for the "choke" lever or the cut-off switch
For cold starting, there is usually a choke lever or "switch" on the handlebars. On some motorcycles there may be a choke lever mounted on the carburetor. Activating it allows you to obtain the necessary rich fuel mixture when the motorcycle is “cold”, that is to say when it has not been used for more than a few hours. The dirtier the carburetor, or the cooler the engine, the more the choke must be engaged.
It is not necessary to use the choke lever to start a “hot” motorcycle. If the motorcycle has been driven and the engine is already hot, you won't need as much power to get it started. You only need to apply a little pressure on the accelerator for the engine to start. Many motorcycles have a cut-off switch on the kickstand, so make sure that the kickstand is up as well. If the motorcycle is in neutral, the kickstand switch will be disabled.
Cleaner for your carburetor available on Amazon
Step 2: Open the choke lever
Make sure the cutoff switch is “on”. You must keep the handlebar throttle grip closed when operating the starter or starter lever. Otherwise, the engine will flood, making starting difficult, if not impossible. Keep in mind that the choke lever is usually not needed if the motorcycle has been turned within the last few hours.
Step 3: Turn the ignition to the "on" position
Your dashboard lights should turn on when in this position. Likewise, if your motorcycle is in neutral as suggested, you should notice a green light indicating that you are in neutral.
Squeeze and hold your clutch lever down (located on the left) and press the start button (located on the right). You should hear the blissful sound of your motorbike starting up.
Step 4: Close the choke and open the throttle
Shortly after starting the engine, gradually close the choke lever and open the throttle slightly as the engine warms up. When riding, you may still need a little choke for a short distance - but close the choke lever as soon as possible to get smooth operation. Do not over-rev the motorcycle while it is warming up.
Method 2: Starting an injection motorcycle
Step 1: Put the motorcycle in neutral
On motorcycles with electronic fuel injection, the engine management system automatically takes care of fuel requirements, whether the engine is hot or cold. There is no choke lever on these motorcycles. Use a small amount of throttle to start hot or cold.
Step 2: Press and hold the start button
Pull the clutch towards the handlebars. It is usually found on the left side. Many motorcyclists choose to pull the front brake (on the right handlebars) at the same time. Then press and hold the start button. It is usually located on the right handlebars, near the bottom of where the hand naturally lands.
Note: If the motorcycle does not hook up and start, try using the throttle while pressing the start button. Be sure to keep the clutch fully depressed during this operation.
Learn more about your scooters:
Here is an article that serves as a guide and helps you choose your scooter better before purchasing. For this, we give you the details on the characteristics and the different types of scooter.
