How do you cold startup?

[tussey]

What's the proper procedure for a cold start on a GS500e? I read the manual and it says to start with wide open choke and slowly close the choke over 30 seconds until you have a stable idle. I do that but after I start riding I have to constantly keep adjusting the choke. It will rev up when I come to a stop light or pull the clutch the shift and now I have an eninge at 4k rpm during a shift    Am I not waiting long enough to close the choke before I drive or what? This happens even after several minutes of riding. Please help a newb. Thanks  :dunno:

[Nutella_BC]

I'd be curious to find out how to get mine to start when cold as well.
it's only 6 weeks old but it won't start especially if I use the choke.
It's stored in a heated garage (15C) and to get it started cold when in the garage, I don't use the choke, no throttle and it starts right away.very nice
However, last friday, took the bike to work, after being exposed to close to freezing temperature, I couldn't get started. The choke seems to make things worse.
I've tried the choke all the way down (per manual) half way down, 25% down, throttle, no throttle, nothing works.
If the engine is running and I want to use the choke, it dies immediately.
very frustrating.
Took the riding course on a Rebel, and the choke would help get it started when cold.

[cueball220]

you're gonna want to ride with it choked for a while.  It definately takes longer then 30 seconds for the motor to be warm enough to idle with no choke.  I'd say 7 minutes of riding until you're sufficiently warm.

If your idle is still high after 7 minutes or so your idle air adjustment screw will need to be leaned out.  It the bronze knob between the carbs.  Turn it until the motor idle properly (after being warm).  I not sure which way leans it out, but you'll figure that out.

Hope this helps.

[gsmetal]

I agree with cueball.

I think the twins are cold blooded by nature and need some extra time with the choke on before the party starts   .

Just don't forget to turn your choke off otherwise you'll foul your plugs.

[Cal Price]

Starting on a real cold morning I kill the lights, open the choke and start without throttle, or as little as possible, this can be difficult as there is an almost automatic flick of the right wrist. Then I let here run at bout 3k for the 30 seconds as per the book or until throttle response is instant. As has been said in the real world this often entails starting your ride with at least some choke until the bike behaves 100% normal.

I understand that in U.S. "kill the lights" may not be an option but it realy helps when starting cold.

[rtcpenguin]

I start with full choke, let the engine ride up to 3k stable, then slowly let off the choke over 2 minutes before riding. You have to give it a bit more gas at first to prevent stalling, but after ~5 minutes of riding it should be fully warmed up.

I never ride with choke on at all.

[GeeP]

I never have to use the choke.   :mrgreen:

K&N lunchbox and V&H full system.  150 mains, 40 pilots, idle screw three turns out, needle in the 4rd notch (equivalent to 1 washer).

No matter how cold it is, all I have to do is hit the starter button with the throttle closed.  Once it catches, open the throttle to 3k RPM for a minute or two till it will idle on it's own.  Never fails.

If I use the choke at all I'll flood the engine.   :lol:  :x

I've peaked the idle screws, so I assume the pilot might be a tad large.  No worries, it doesn't foul plugs and is predictable.  Don't fix what ain't broke.    :lol:

Regardless of how you get it to start, let it warm up for a couple of minutes, especially if you have to use the choke.  Don't ride until it's warm enough to run without it.  That way you don't have to fiddle at stoplights.

[JamesG]

Properly jetted, an engine should be able to cold start with just the choke and no need to blip the throttle.

Not starting/running right might be a problem with intake seal, valve tolerances or just dirty carbs.

Riding with the choke on isn't a good idea. Idle is too high for smooth taking off and shifting and it makes jetting throughout to rich and can cause plug fouling.

[Alphamazing]

I never have to use the choke.   :mrgreen:

K&N lunchbox and V&H full system.  150 mains, 40 pilots, idle screw three turns out, needle in the 4rd notch (equivalent to 1 washer).

Yeah, but when the bike warms up I bet it's overly rich.

I choke it about 3/4ths and start it up, allowing it to idle around 3k while I put my gear on. If there are lots of people around I'll keep it at 2500. After that I'll hop on, bring the choke down until it's barely on and ride out. A few blocks later when the bike begins to warm up the choke goes all the way off and she runs like a dream.

[jbeaber]

I'm on an older GS (89) and the temp is getting a little chilly in the Bay area.  Each morning I give the bike full choke as I start it up.  It will idle slowly for a bit, then shoot up to 4K.  I then adjust it down to 2K and leave it there until I'm ready to go.  Then I turn the choke completely off, never have it on while the bike is moving.  The bike will be a bit unresponsive starting from a dead stop, but once moving it's fine.  After about 5 -8 minutes of riding, the bike is raring to go.

[Badger]

I haven't had much trouble, even when the temps are in the upper 30's and low 40's.  Full choke and fire it up.  Give it a couple seconds to get its mojo on, then adjust the choke down to keep things at 3500 or so.  Finish my cigarette, put on helmet & gloves, then drop the choke down to just above where it wants to quit, head out to the road.  Close the choke and give it a rev or two to clear it.  Then take it easy for the first few miles to give the engine and tires time to come up to temp.

If I have to stop and idle within the first mile or two, it occasionally takes a little throttle or a bit of choke to keep it happy.

[Player-P]

I'm on an older GS (89) and the temp is getting a little chilly in the Bay area.  Each morning I give the bike full choke as I start it up.  It will idle slowly for a bit, then shoot up to 4K.  I then adjust it down to 2K and leave it there until I'm ready to go.  Then I turn the choke completely off, never have it on while the bike is moving.  The bike will be a bit unresponsive starting from a dead stop, but once moving it's fine.  After about 5 -8 minutes of riding, the bike is raring to go.

...on the opposite end of the spectrum (brand new '09, w/2,500 mi), takes quite a few attempts to start when cold in the morning going to work. And that's from being parked inside a warm garage at night. bummer. 

[mister]

I'm on an older GS (89) and the temp is getting a little chilly in the Bay area.  Each morning I give the bike full choke as I start it up.  It will idle slowly for a bit, then shoot up to 4K.  I then adjust it down to 2K and leave it there until I'm ready to go.  Then I turn the choke completely off, never have it on while the bike is moving.  The bike will be a bit unresponsive starting from a dead stop, but once moving it's fine.  After about 5 -8 minutes of riding, the bike is raring to go.

...on the opposite end of the spectrum (brand new '09, w/2,500 mi), takes quite a few attempts to start when cold in the morning going to work. And that's from being parked inside a warm garage at night. bummer. 

Ok. Here's the deal w/ the new models...

Put choke on full. Do NOT touch the throttle - not yet. Press start button. Once engine grabs - it will be sluggish - either leave it, or gently give some throttle.

When bike has been warmed and needs to be restarted. Then you can use a little throttle as you start it.

Michael