help!

[hot_lava]

Hi all- new to this forum, but really glad I found it!

I just started riding last October and have had my little GZ250 since May.

I can't seem to get the seat off though when I put the key in...what's the trick??

Also maybe some of you more technical people can answer me this: when I first got the bike it always had to have the choke on when riding... and when it turned off the exhaust would make a loud popping noise. I got the carb cleaned and now it only needs the choke at first when it's been sitting for a bit (I don't ride it everyday)... but sometimes it still makes the popping noise when I turn it off. Is this bad? Is there some more work I should get done on it? It's been sitting a lot in it's lifetime...when I got it it only had about 2000 miles.

Any advice would be appreciated...especially about getting the seat off!! I turn the key and all but can't get the darn thing off!!