Fuel mix ratio bonanza
  • sickwhip1
    Posts: 26
    What's the deal? I go get my Suzuki serviced and I was told to run 50:1 ratio, other places say run 40:1. I just check online for my 2003 Suzuki RM 125 2-stroke specs and that says run 30:1. Questions questions questions. What ratio should I be running my bike? Im mostly a weekend warrior and run trails, should I be running lean? Rich?

    Is the ratio the same for a 250 2-stroke? how about different makes like a Kawi,Yamiha? Do they require to be ran at a different ratio? What does it all mean? Advantages and disadvantages? Someone please school me on this
  • pojp58pojp58
    Posts: 10,599
    32:1 IMO
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  • PaulB14PaulB14
    Posts: 8,012
    yeah, the short answer is 32:1, like pop says... :)

    I ran 32:1 in all my bikes (Suzuki TM125, PE250, RM400) for years and years. I only bumped up to 40:1 in my KTM because the book calls for 50:1 but I can't bring myself to mix it that lean. The key is to tune your carburetor so that the bike runs great at the 32:1 ratio or whatever ratio you choose to mix, IMO. Use your jets and the needle to adjust the richness or leanness, NOT the fuel mixture. Learn to read your spark plug for the condition your bike is running, and/or if there is excess carbon build-up on the cylinder head when you tear it down for a top-end rebuild. Another indication you are running too rich is if there is a lot of "splooge" oozing from the exhaust, either at the cylinder or from the silencer. Of course the easiest way to know if you're running too rich is if you foul plugs on a regular basis (although there could be other problems that cause this) or if the bike runs crappy. 8)
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    NW Montana - Where the pavement ends and the fun begins
    image

    2005 KTM 300exc
    1977 SUZUKI PE250
  • PaulB14PaulB14
    Posts: 8,012
    There is nothing sweeter than a finely tuned RM 125 screaming around a track!
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    NW Montana - Where the pavement ends and the fun begins
    image

    2005 KTM 300exc
    1977 SUZUKI PE250
  • iCool247iCool247
    Posts: 1,221
    32:1, but I run 40:1
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    "If you can't win, wreck someone who can"- Ricky Carmichael 2011
  • Back when I had my KTM I pretty much just poured what I thought was enough oil in and then went.
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    Currently Bikeless
  • sickwhip1
    Posts: 26
    Holy shitballs batman! Why would the Suzuki dealer tell me to run 50:1!? I do get that ooze from the tail pipe, it's not a lot but it's there. I was told I wAsent riding my bike hard enoughr like its supposto that's why it was there. Well I will run 32:1 or 40:1 then I will post my findings.

    Thanks Paul and the others for posting this info.
  • Unless you dont mind ebuilding your engine every year go 32:1 maybe 34:1 and the spooge is normal also; get wrag clean up. As long as your not fouling plugs your good.
  • usrockbandusrockband
    Posts: 265
    sickwhip1Holy shitballs batman! Why would the Suzuki dealer tell me to run 50:1!? I do get that ooze from the tail pipe, it's not a lot but it's there. I was told I wAsent riding my bike hard enoughr like its supposto that's why it was there. Well I will run 32:1 or 40:1 then I will post my findings.

    Thanks Paul and the others for posting this info.
    Haha probabaly to get you to blow up your engine so they can rebuild it for ya :p And yea I was in the same boat with my bike. If your not gonna be winding it out all the time then lean it a little because you'll just start fouling plugs. I went from 32:1 to 37:1 and never had any problems with that. 40:1 would probably be ok, I personally wouldn't go that far but it would probably be fine.
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    06 KX 125
    Ontario, Canada


    http://www.youtube.com/user/BigTimeBikingTV

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    Check it out!
  • sickwhip1
    Posts: 26
    Basterds!! At least it ain't expensive to rebuild 2 strokes engines.

    Anyhow on the same note how often should I change my gear oil???
  • PaulB14PaulB14
    Posts: 8,012
    in the same vein, you'll receive all kinds of opinions on the subject of changing your gear oil... :o
    ///////////////////
    NW Montana - Where the pavement ends and the fun begins
    image

    2005 KTM 300exc
    1977 SUZUKI PE250
  • PaulB14PaulB14
    Posts: 8,012
    for what it's worth, I change mine once a year, which is about every 100 hours...but bear in mind it's a 2-stroke and I'm pretty sure the 4-strokes need to be changed very often, as in every couple hours.
    ///////////////////
    NW Montana - Where the pavement ends and the fun begins
    image

    2005 KTM 300exc
    1977 SUZUKI PE250

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