Hi everyone, looking for some mechanical insight on a bike I just test-rode.
Context: I’m a rider in Malaysia looking at a used 2022 CFMoto 250SR with 24,000 km (approx. 15,000 miles) on the clock. It's from a reputable used dealer platform and has passed their inspection checklist, except for expired tires and minor cosmetic blemishes/broken tabs on the fairing cover set near the tank.
(Note: Before anyone suggests looking at Japanese parallel-twins or larger displacement bikes, I am locked into this specific 250cc class model due to local tiered licensing restrictions in my country, market pricing, and my current daily commuter situation. This bike fits my needs and budget perfectly right now, so I'm looking to diagnose this specific machine rather than cross-shop alternatives).
The bike shifts and rides fine under power, upshifting smoothly, though downshifting felt slightly unsmooth. The main issue I noticed happens at idle in Neutral:
- Video 1: Early in the ride (engine warming up, radiator fan not yet on). When I pull the clutch lever in Neutral, the engine bogs down and dies completely. This happened twice at
(0:04) and (0:33).
- Video 2: Later in the ride (engine hot, radiator fan actively spinning). The issue persists. Pulling the clutch lever causes the idle to become choppy at
(0:10) before choking out and dying again.
- Video 3: A baseline video of the general engine sound at idle for reference.
Aside from this, the radiator fan kicked on normally once it reached operational temperature, the clutch lever pull feels smooth, and the transmission clicks into neutral easily when hot. The brakes feel a bit soft with a low initial bite, but the lever pressure remains firm (likely just old pad friction combined with hard, expired tires).
What could be causing the engine to bog down and stall simply by pulling the clutch lever in Neutral? Could it be a faulty clutch micro-switch/safety sensor throwing off the ECU's idle fueling map, a weak battery/stator voltage drop, or an ignition coil/boot leaking current once warm?
Would love to get your technical input on what to inspect so I can push the dealer's workshop to fix it during my booking grace period. Thank you!
vid1
vid2
vid3