This past weekend was my first full-hearted attempt at learning to ride my TLR200. With the July 4th long weekend I spent some 12+ hours over the three days in the parking lot of the local DMV office.

I learned a lot and have increased my confidence level 10 fold.

What I found was, as the bike warmed up, the idle would increase to the point I was not having to roll the throttle as far on as much in the turns. This seemed to smooth out the jerking motion of giving gas to a slow idling engine.

Not sure why the idle would run higher but I think it may be the carb bowl is flooding. Will test that theory later this week. Anyway, this higher idle made riding easier. I could concentrate on clutch/brake and balance/stance.

Is this allowed in competition or are you required to have the bike just barely ticking over?

Edited July 7, 201412 yr by scooterspal

There is no required idle speed but rest assured that when you become comfortable with riding you will settle your idle speed to the same as everyone else

It's just how trials works and you won't be the one guy idling at 1000 rpm trying to convince everyone it's the hot new thing

I run my TLR with the carb float set higher than recommended. It seems to run smoother and 'cough's' less.

The only problem is with the extra fuel in the bowl it is easy to flood if the bike is laid down.

Just lower your tickover gradually with adjusting screw until it feels right.

Good for you, spending the hours to master the bike. I do not think the bike is flooding. If it was, it would be stalling.

TLR200's have notoriously lean jetting from the factory. When cold, they are so lean they don't like to run well. I would also suggest checking for a bad intake gasket or loose carb mounting screws. As metal heats up, it expands and may be improving the sealing of a loose bolt or worn gasket.

The other factor on 4 strokes is the amount of compression braking when you roll out of the throttle. That can result in a very jerky feel when riding slowly. Best I can offer on that is: practice, practice, and more practice.

I do not think the bike is flooding. If it was, it would be stalling.

Could be but I think I can test this theory easily enough.

Get the bike warmed up so it is running at the higher idle then open the carb drain port and let out some gas. If the idle goes back down that would probably indicate the carb is flooding.

I don't have a problem with this and, as I stated, it does make it easier to ride.

Edited July 9, 201412 yr by scooterspal

Clever idea. I will be interested to hear the result of your test.

Hi,

I have this bike now fore five years.

All that time when the bike warms up the idle speed gets higher.

I don't think the carb is flooding, it's just what the bike does.

Downsite is that the bike is difficult to start when its warm/hot.

Anyway, nothing to worry about, just have fun.

a friend of mine has one of those bikes and it also behaves strangely. In his case, the idle speed when warm varies with the angle that the bike is leaned over. He has taken it to the local Honda shop and the mechanic could not find anything wrong with the way the carby was set up. I have ridden it in competition sections and did not notice anything happening with idle speed. The only time I noticed it was with the bike stopped and leaning it over from side to side.