Team-BHP - Activa 125 Starting Problem

Hello everyone, I have a Honda Activa 125. It has a weird problem. It takes at least 5 minutes of kicking to start it, when left unridden for more than a day. It's a serious issue especially for my wife. But, if ridden every day it takes only half a kick/self to start. Otherwise, it works perfectly, excellent acceleration, etc.

Please suggest some way-out, local mechanics and official Honda service-people have no idea what to do.:)

Depends on vehicle age, usage and mileage. What's yours ?

Some memory items are :
- check the usual : air filter, spark plugs
- check the carb/fueling. Might need some cleaning due to downtimes

Please share the below information so that someone can atleast try answering

How old is the Activa?

How old is the battery?

Especially with you mentioning that it takes several kicks to start, i can sense that the battery is weak. Try recharging or if gone bad replace it.

I am surprised that Honda Authorized Service Centre and local mechanic failed to diagnose this issue. Did they check the battery and was it found perfect?

Honda two-wheeler engines inherently have this cold start issue. I use to experience the same in my unicorn and Activa. If vehicle is unused for a long time, I simply use the choke and it starts after few tried. One key is to keep the battery in top notch condition as this helps us from refraining from kick start.

My trusted local mechanic also made some tweaks which helped.

It must have a battery. Please check the battery, as weak batteries can sometimes cause starting problems. If the Activa is aged, inspect the spark plug and ensure it is in good condition. If it is worn out or dirty, consider replacing it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raj.singh (Post 5568265)

It takes at least 5 minutes of kicking to start it, when left unridden for more than a day.

I am using my friend's 2019 Activa 5G and facing the same issue. The scooter has only been ridden for ~2500 kms as it was purchased right before Covid-19 and remained unused for over a year. I recently used a PEA fuel additive, and it's better after that. But, it still takes some time to kick start, and it doesn't feel very responsive for the first 2-3 km.

Once it's started, the self-start just works fine. I've seen many people complaining about the same. My friend's Honda Dio has the same issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raptor_diwan (Post 5569974)

It must have a battery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bijims (Post 5568601)

Maybe the battery needs changing.

Will it require this many kicks, with the choke engaged, to start the scooter even if there's an issue with the battery?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bijims (Post 5568601)

Maybe the battery needs changing. How old is it? and when is the last time you changed the battery if any.

The Battery very much seems to be the culprit here.
I am having an Activa 3G, which is close to 8 years new (new because the odo reading is only 4000 odd km till date). The OEM Exide battery was recharged once about 4 years ago and now it looks like I have to replace it.
The reason? the scooter that used to start with a half kick on the side stand itself, with the choke activated, is now getting kicked a couple of times on the main / center stand before it sputters to life.
My initial suspicion was the IOCL petrol that I had refueled instead of the HP one which was earlier used 95% of the times, but even after going back to HP also the issue persists. The horn that was still working earlier is now croaking in tune with the monsoon frogs!

Thank you everyone for your inputs. The battery is new, it has no issues. The mo-bike runs well once it starts. And if it's driven everyday it starts with one kick/electric-self.
I have been facing this issue right from day one. But the thing is I can not recreate this issue at the service station! I am wondering if anyone knows the known culprit (part) and I can just ask the service-station to replace/repair the same.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raj.singh (Post 5576522)

I am wondering if anyone knows the known culprit (part) and I can just ask the service-station to replace/repair the same.

Its quite a weird issue and the only thing I can point to is the fueling/carburettor. Have it cleaned and re-installed and update post that. Could be a faulty carb too since it has been there from day 1.

An air filter/ spark plug / electrical issue will always impact the starting regardless of usage. Issues with relays start as random but they too will eventually happen on each ride.

Can't point at any part since the issue is not normal and hasn't been diagnosed yet :)

Dear Raj Ji,

I also own Activa 4G 2018 model 20k run.

The cold start issue is there. But I've found one particular solution. Hope this helps you as well.

When there is an issue in starting simply, Remove the fuel tank cap. This works wonders for me. It starts almost immediately.

I've changed the fuel cap as well but it seems design issue to me.

Hello fellow BHPians, I took all the suggestions to the nearest mechanic. He adjusted the "air-flow" and suggested to use it for a while and comeback if it does not solve the issue. He also mentioned that this a recurring problem in Activa 125s, especially if not driven daily.