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OK, have not been able to really look at this yet. Thought I'd see if this was a known type problem.

2004 Ninja 500-R (EX-500). Runs with no problems, normally. Not a good cold starter.

In the mornings lately, the bike starts to die after about 12 miles. Temp gague shows just above the normal range (it has been fairly cold, high 30s, low 40s). Idle seems to drop off when the stalling begins.

Weird thing is, it always happens at the same place - the stoplight before entering Ft. Bragg. Sometimes it tries to stall all the way through base (about 5 miles), sometimes not.

Only new factor... I got some winter riding pants for xmas. Typically only wear them in the morning, and morning is the only time I have the problem. I couldn't be inadvertently choking the carbeurator, could I? Even if I was, wouldn't that make the bike idle higher?

Any ideas?

--Dave

Is your gas tank venting correctly? It could be fuel starvation from a vaccum in the tank.

Are your new riding pants blocking the air intake to the airbox?

Your carbs could be icing up after a high speed run (engine speed more than bike speed). Is it humid as well as chilly?

I wouldn't think the tank venting is an issue, but a possibility. I believe the Kawas vent through the cap - my 636 did. I don't hear the 500 weezing when it is low on fuel, but then, it gets twice the mileage as the 636, so it's not sucking as hard or fast. Also, cold mornings have been the only time the problem occurs.

I don't know if the pants might be covering the air intake or not. Yesterday, I rode in wide legged to keep them off the bike body (annoying position ). I had a lesser problem with the stalling (did not die at all, but sounded close). Today, just wore jeans, as it was warmer. Had no problems at all.

It is definitely humid here. About four miles into the ride I typically hit sixty and at 5 miles I cross a lake. Maintain at 60 for the next 7 miles, at which point the stalling gets to be an issue... The first red light... I think we might have a winner! Rapidly moving gasoline cooling the already cold carbeurator... Sucking in wet air... Makes sense to me

Thanks for the reply, I wouldn't have thought of that.

--Dave

Yep it does sound like carb icing may be the culprit. Now... how to get some heat on them carbs....... ..... that might be a bit tricky.....

My old EN450 never frove up, but then, it constantly overheated

I wonder if the air filter could be the point of freezing? I need to change that anyway.

Thanks for the help.

--Dave

safety-boy wrote: I wonder if the air filter could be the point of freezing? I need to change that anyway.

If you're developing carb ice, it's likely happening in the venturi of the carb. The air accelerates while passing through the venturi and cools down several degrees. Also, evaporating fuel will cool the venturi down even further. If there's enough moisture in the incoming air, it condenses and freezes to the venturi surface.

Air filters don't usually get iced.

I have a sneaking suspicion that I am just going to have to deal with it - at least until I get back on a big fuel-injected beast

--Dave

Probably the end for this thread. Thanks for the help.

Extremely cold today, and extremely dry. No stalling issues.

I do think it is the carbs freezing, because the idle slows when the problem occurs. If the air was being cut off, the idle should increase, as though the choke was on, I would think...

Again, thanks for the help, and I am glad it appears that I just have something to endure rather than fix!

--Dave