This is probably just me, but I can't tell. Once in a great while, with no discernable pattern, I'll be at a stop and the bike will stall just as I let out the clutch, roll on some throttle and start to move. Needless to say, it's damned annoying and embarassing in traffic. So far, it always starts right up again, but today it happened as I was attempting to leave the entrance of the campus where I work and did it three times in a row! :shock: Kinda scary when you're in the left-turn lane...

So, anybody know WTF is going on? Is the problem just between the seat and the handlebar (i.e., me)? Or should I be looking for something electrical, mechanical, etc.?

How long have you been riding?

I doubt it is you, but if you are very new it is possibility. I personally cannot imagine stalling my 599 without being a total and obvious klutz with the controls!

I've been on my 599 for a year now, and it does still happen to me on ocassion. Although now it's just one stall and a quick recovery, usually when I'm not really paying attention. But I do remember having that happen several times in a row the first couple of months I had the bike. I found that the more embarassed or nervous I was after the first stall, the more likely subsequent stalls were to happen. Still, I don't know if your sitation is just you getting accustomed to the bike or something else.

Check your clutch cable tension. Also check the wire at the lever.

Also check your throttle cables. Both could cause stalling if deteriated or loose, methinks.

I'd say give it more gas when you take off... It’s a wet clutch so no needs to worry about wear when slipping a bit on takeoff. What is the idle set to? How many miles on the bike, when was the last service/what was done?

Definitely check Idle speed. My dealer had my idle speed set WAY too low, actually close to 500, which meant nearly instant stalls unless I was generous with the throttle. It's supposed to be 1400RPM +/- 100. Mine's running around 1200 or so, depending on conditions, and it hasn't died one time since.

OK, in order.

- Been riding since last July (9 months). I did have a few times initially on my first bike when I wouldn't give it enough gas, but I don't hear any lack of revs or similar that's a usual sympton of that.

- I've had the 599 for just over 3 months. It's got about 560 miles on (mine is a short commute). Bought brand new, so no service, yet.

- I only had the one time with multiple stalls in a row. Otherwise, it's been once, then go.

- I have checked the cables and all. Nothing looks bad, but then it is nearly new, so deterioration is kind of unlikely. I hope...

- Idle seems good, by ear. I haven't done that check, yet. Don't have a timing light or similar gear. Again, I've yet to reach the break-in service. Mayhap I'll take her in a little early. I wanted to go canoeing this weekend, anyway. :wink:

Thanks for the responses. It's nice to know I'm not the only who's experienced something like this. Mostly, I was hoping it's not rider error. Or as we say in the computer biz, a PEBCAK error. Problem Exists Between Chair And Keyboard. :D

I had no idea how to check idle properly, because I'm inept, but it's pretty straightforward. After an average ride, take a look where your bike is sitting at for idle RPMs. It should be in the neighborhood of 1400. If it's not, there's a small knob underneath the seat (just check your manual) that you twist to adjust.

I purchased my 599 brand new and the idle was too low straight from the dealer AND after the first service. Ridiculously low. That's how I learned not to assume they were thorough.

Would a chain that is too tight be prone to induce stalls on take off?

Ok, maybe a dumb idea/question, but what is the position of the choke when you are having the stalling issues? Are you remembering to turn the choke 'off'? The only reason I bring this up is because you mention the short commute and could be something easily over looked. At very least you may just want to have a quick look at the cable to ensure it's not binding somewhere. Just a thought.

Hi. So finally I put in the newly charged battery and warmed up the horney. I used the choke of course since I haven't used the bike since it came home last week from the shop. It stalled so many times that day it came home and discharged the battery trying to get it to run. Today I didn't ride it but just decided to warm it up. It stalls in parking. I'd turn the choke off, hit the throttle to 1500 to 2000 RPMS, when I let go it stalls.
Repair shop closest to me where I had the bike fixed is a Kawi dealer and I was told to bring it to Honda dealer so they can clean the carbs since it was being repaired and wasn't running for almost two months (parts on back order). Kawi guy says bike is "hesitant." My bike is brand new, with sadly just 10 miles on it. Is this really a carb problem? I should probably take it to Honda dealer anyways. I've shed more money on repairs than putting ony miles on my horney. :(

Hmm, I dunno? I had to let mine sit once for almost three months after I had surgery a year or so back, and it ran great when I got back on it, Cillian. Still, your gas might have gotten just stale enough to have plugged some of the little ports, and perhaps you need to ride it a ways to clean them out. I dunno.

Definitely check Idle speed. My dealer had my idle speed set WAY too low, actually close to 500, which meant nearly instant stalls unless I was generous with the throttle. It's supposed to be 1400RPM +/- 100. Mine's running around 1200 or so, depending on conditions, and it hasn't died one time since.

the only time mine has ever stalled it was a problem with the nut that connects the seat to the handlebar! a little to quick with the clutch, not enough right wrist! to make the bike idiot proof, i adjusted the idle to about 1600-1750, for a little while when i first got the thing, solved the problem right away!

Hi. So finally I put in the newly charged battery and warmed up the horney. I used the choke of course since I haven't used the bike since it came home last week from the shop. It stalled so many times that day it came home and discharged the battery trying to get it to run. Today I didn't ride it but just decided to warm it up. It stalls in parking. I'd turn the choke off, hit the throttle to 1500 to 2000 RPMS, when I let go it stalls.
Repair shop closest to me where I had the bike fixed is a Kawi dealer and I was told to bring it to Honda dealer so they can clean the carbs since it was being repaired and wasn't running for almost two months (parts on back order). Kawi guy says bike is "hesitant." My bike is brand new, with sadly just 10 miles on it. Is this really a carb problem? I should probably take it to Honda dealer anyways. I've shed more money on repairs than putting ony miles on my horney. :(


Okay, take all the gas out of the tank to start with. I use a long hose with a small slot cut in the end. Stick the uncut end in the tank and point the other end at a container to hold the gas. Now you blow some compressed air into the slot and it'll create a vacuum that will suck all the gas out, easy syphon. You can use yourself to create suction if you need to...

Now drain the carbs. There will be a single flathead screw on the bottom of each carb. And a nipple coming out of the bottom. Basically sit down beside the bike near the kickstand and look through the little hole in the middle, the carbs are here. You'll be able to see the small screws. Either shove a rag in there, or hook a piece of hose up to the nipple and turn the screw out a couple of turns. Gas will come out, allow it all to drain out. Do all 4 carbs.

Now you need to fill the gas tank with fresh gas - use 87 octane. Your tank is full, but your carbs will not be. The hornets have a vacuum fed petcock. The petcock is the thing you turn to go from on to off to reserve on the gas tank. Under the dial you will see a large hose, behind that hose is a small hose.

Disconnect the small hose, and hook a different length of hose up to it. Suck on this hose... it'll create a small vacuum which will open the petcock and pour fresh gas into the carbs. Hook the old vacuum line back up.

Now attempt to start your bike and see what happens.

Would a chain that is too tight be prone to induce stalls on take off?

i'm also wondering the same. I'm also having the same problem as the original poster..

Today, my battery seems quite weak... I started it, tried to give it some throttle + clutch but it still died... this happened a few more times

I checked the meter reading on my battery and it was about 12.25 - is this OK? had to use a manual charger to get it going. BUT sometimes when i go from neutral to 1st gear with clutch STILL in, it would die on me but could restart.

anybody have any clues? this is a 2006 599 with 1700km on it

Also, if my idle speed is too low (haven't adjusted), does this have a damaging effect on the bike?

12.25v is low. A fully charge battey should read at least 12.6v.

Would a chain that is too tight be prone to induce stalls on take off?

i'm also wondering the same. I'm also having the same problem as the original poster..

Today, my battery seems quite weak... I started it, tried to give it some throttle + clutch but it still died... this happened a few more times

I checked the meter reading on my battery and it was about 12.25 - is this OK? had to use a manual charger to get it going. BUT sometimes when i go from neutral to 1st gear with clutch STILL in, it would die on me but could restart.

anybody have any clues? this is a 2006 599 with 1700km on it

Also, if my idle speed is too low (haven't adjusted), does this have a damaging effect on the bike?

Okay... tension on the chain would... just wreck the transmission, I wouldn't worry about that unless you're shooting peices of it out the side.

The bike "dieing" when you give it gas has nothing to do with the battery. All the battery does is start the bike, after that it's the alternator.

Personally, I'd suspect a fueling issue... which is to say you aren't giving it enough fuel for the amount of air you're giving it. I assume you just started the bike and tried to rev it? The bike is still warming up, so you're adding a TON of air... and not much fuel - the bike will stutter and stall.

As for the bike dieing when you shift into first... is the kickstand down or stuck?

Low idle speed won't hurt your engine... just makes it tough for her to idle. Try to have it set between 1200 and 1500. Mmmmm mmm good.

^Thx sev. all problems solved in one post :o

Tomorrow I'm going to run out and see if i can pick up a new front lever for the brake since it's bent...

Ok, I just came back from trying out Cillian's bike. It did have a very low idle, around 7 or 800. When it was warmed up, it would tend to die if you opened the throttle too abruptly. To me, that suggests too much air. If I opened the throttle gently, and allowed the engine to "catch", it would rev up easily after just a bit of hesitation. Then I could let the clutch out and the bike would run fine - like a Hornet should.

Cillian and I poked around and found the knurled knob under the carbs that appears to be the idle adjustor. We turned it and the idle speed went up a bit. We finally got the idle set around 1200 or so and that improved the engine's tendency to die when the throttle was opened, but it did not cure it. There still is too much air (I think) in the mixture that causes it to die right off idle.

We at least determined for sure that Cillian was not imagining things - and the bike really was not set up properly from the beginning. It was not HER that was at fault here. I have 21 years of experience and the darn thing quit on me quite a few times. I was able to keep it running but it was not particularly easy. I can't blame Cillian for being completely frustrated.

The next step is for her to find a Honda dealer that she can trust, and tell them what has happened. They will need to set it right but once that is done I suspect it will be a durable and well-suited bike for her for a long, long time. :)

You would think , It being 2007, That the Manufacturers would have this Carburated thing down...But they dont... I'm gonna have to say that the carb(s) on that bike need some adjusting...All I have ever owned are Carbed Bikes and they have always been a bit touchy... I'd say your 100% correct on Taking it to a shop and Make them fix it..... Its probably a very simple thing to do for the mechs. But getting them to do it may not be...Hope you get it straightened out soon.. Ride-on.

You would think , It being 2007, That the Manufacturers would have this Carburated thing down...But they dont... I'm gonna have to say that the carb(s) on that bike need some adjusting...All I have ever owned are Carbed Bikes and they have always been a bit touchy... I'd say your 100% correct on Taking it to a shop and Make them fix it..... Its probably a very simple thing to do for the mechs. But getting them to do it may not be...Hope you get it straightened out soon.. Ride-on.

Thing is... it's bloody tough to get a carb dialed in for every possible variation of temperature, air pressure, and fuel flow. Above and beyond all that, much of the carburator is adjustable by turning a couple of screws or changing out a jet. It's possible that the tip over managed to rattle the pilot mixture screw and leaned out the bike at idle.

Possibly, but Cillian reported that the idle was too low in the first place. It stalled on her in the middle of the turn. I think something was off before it tipped.

Good job Sachi -- thanks for helping a fellow member out!!


:clap :thumbsup :clap :thumbsup :clap :thumbsup :clap :thumbsup :clap :thumbsup

No problem - Cillian's a sweetie. I think it's important to help new women riders, and in her case it was particularly necessary to be sure she could tell what was wrong with the bike so she could (1) communicate it to the dealer and (2) reassure herself it wasn't HER issue. Well by damn, it sure wasn't - it was the bike.

I hope that now that I've been able to show her what a well-running 599 feels like, and told her what I think is wrong, she can get some action from the dealer.