Idle fluctuates while warming up. 2012 ninja 1000

[MoldTheClay]

Lately my idle has been fluctuating a bit while it warms up, almost like it thinks it has hit proper idle temperature and then goes "aww shit actually no" and goes back to the usual warm up revs.

Once I am all warmed up and toasty the bike idles normally, however. Anything I should look into here? My mind goes to thermostat but I'm sure more seasoned folks can tell me that I am wrong. Since it is running normally once warmed up and isn't throwing any error lights at me, I am not terribly concerned yet. Figured it's worth asking on here though.

 

[Junkie]

I wouldn't expect the thermostat to do that.

The temp sensor maybe, or it could be that the fast idle control is sticking some so it goes too far and then goes back.

Does this happen starting immediately or does it take a while before it starts doing it?

 

[msethhunter]

I've seen thermostats do exactly that. The spring starts to wear out, and they become much more sensitive to minor temperature changes, and open/close more rapidly.

With that said, I wouldn't worry about it to much. I'm pretty sure your thermostat will fail open.

 

[afm199]

Lately my idle has been fluctuating a bit while it warms up, almost like it thinks it has hit proper idle temperature and then goes "aww shit actually no" and goes back to the usual warm up revs.

Once I am all warmed up and toasty the bike idles normally, however. Anything I should look into here? My mind goes to thermostat but I'm sure more seasoned folks can tell me that I am wrong. Since it is running normally once warmed up and isn't throwing any error lights at me, I am not terribly concerned yet. Figured it's worth asking on here though.

Why in the world are you warming up a bike? Today's FI bikes are made to be ridden almost instantly after starting. Warming them up does nothing, and the computer will change the idle at various points. You're wasting gas and if you have a pipe, pissing off your neighbors.

 

[MoldTheClay]

Why in the world are you warming up a bike? Today's FI bikes are made to be ridden almost instantly after starting. Warming them up does nothing, and the computer will change the idle at various points. You're wasting gas and if you have a pipe, pissing off your neighbors.

I am not warming it up, it just starts out at a higher rpm while it warms up. Just started noticing it happen recently though where the rpm fluctuates. Once it is warm everything seems good to go though.

Thanks for the replies though, kind of confirms my "nothing to worry about" suspicion.

 

[MoldTheClay]

Update: Noticed the coolant reservoir was bone dry. Whoops.

Topped it off back to full and turned her back on and the weird fluctuations were more or less gone.

Maybe I had air pockets in the coolant system and that fucked with the water temperature sensor?

 

[afm199]

Update: Noticed the coolant reservoir was bone dry. Whoops.

Topped it off back to full and turned her back on and the weird fluctuations were more or less gone.

Maybe I had air pockets in the coolant system and that fucked with the water temperature sensor?

Radiator or reservoir? filling that with water didn't fix anything. Always start by filling the radiator with fluid. That water in the reservoir can't get into the radiator until the system is up to full temp. Also, it's not uncommon for those to be empty.

 

[MoldTheClay]

Radiator or reservoir? filling that with water didn't fix anything. Always start by filling the radiator with fluid. That water in the reservoir can't get into the radiator until the system is up to full temp. Also, it's not uncommon for those to be empty.

filled radiator cap then reservoir.

 

[afm199]

filled radiator cap then reservoir.

How much? Unless the radiator took a pint or two, it wouldn't matter.

 

[seadog]

Well, now that your idle is not fluctuating, why was the coolant low?

Isn't wrenching on bikes fun?

I topped up my coolant reservoir on the Wee today. Had to remove every freaking piece of plastic forward of the fuel tank just so I could lift up the tank to add coolant. I was swearing the whole time. And I was a sailor and I'm still a merchantman so I can get pretty damn creative. It was easier to add coolant to my gixxer than to the Wee. I'm still pissed. Rant over.

 

[msethhunter]

Well, now that your idle is not fluctuating, why was the coolant low?

Isn't wrenching on bikes fun?

I topped up my coolant reservoir on the Wee today. Had to remove every freaking piece of plastic forward of the fuel tank just so I could lift up the tank to add coolant. I was swearing the whole time. And I was a sailor and I'm still a merchantman so I can get pretty damn creative. It was easier to add coolant to my gixxer than to the Wee. I'm still pissed. Rant over.

You either need a hug, or eat a Snickers?