considering a GS500 - are they hard to start & run cold?

[jonl]

I'm thinking of a GS500 as a starter bike and commuter.  Almost every mention of a GS500 on other forums mentions how hard they are to start in cold weather.  I live in Ontario, so no doubt cold will be more frequent for me than some others here.  I have some reservations about a bike without fuel injection, and the cold-starting issues I read about make me hesitant to buy a GS.

Are cold-weather starting problems a known issue with this bike?

[Kasumi]

As with nearly every carburetted bike, they are cold blooded, the GS - particularly slow. Its sure not as simple as just turn the key and start like you get with FI however alot more can go seriously wrong with FI and your paying a premium to get a bike with FI.

Sooo basically don't be put off buying a GS. There is a technique to commuting in cold weather on carb'd bikes. Go out get the bike out of the garage or take the cover off prior to putting your bike gear on. Whack the choke on full and start the bike up, (hold starter - perhaps give a quick blip of the throttle to help ease it to start) once started let it run on the choke, obviously lower the choke so the bike is running without screaming at high rev's just keep it ticking over nicely. Now go put your bike gear on ready for the commute. This should take you 5 minutes if your super fast which you will be after commuting! By the time you get out there she will almost be completely warmed up. Certinally enough to ride!

So having FI is easier yes, but not that much more easier if you have the right technique for starting the bike.




Oki now you know the technique there are things you can do to help start the bike, all which revolve around making it run as efficient as possible.

1. Fuel - jets, or rather rejetting, if you buy a gs you can rejet it so it runs much more efficently and starts easier. If it hasn't already been done.
2. Spark - put some iridium spark plugs in to get a much stronger spark and increase the ease of igniting fuel on cold mornings.
3. Electrics - you need to keep a strong battery so invest in a trickle charger to put on the bike over night to keep the battery charged if your only doing short commutes each day, short commutes mean your still draining the battery from starting the bike going both ways but your not traveling long enough to recharge.


It sounds like alot that im advising but getting any motorcycle these are good things to do, not just for the GS.

[CndnMax]

I have a harder time starting it when the bike is at operating temp then i do when its cold 

[Kasumi]

I have a harder time starting it when the bike is at operating temp then i do when its cold 

I occasionally have that problem - i think most carb'd bikes do.... do you reckon its only hard after a certain amount of time.... like if you stall and start again quick its fine, but if it doesn't start that first time then your in for a wait before its guna start. Or you leave it longer and it starts fine. Its weird sometime in the middle there it just is so hard to start. I get it at the petrol station sometimes... fill it up then go to fire it up and it don't wana start. Weird huh.

[kml.krk]

if you ride every day it shouldn't be a big deal since your battery will be in a good shape. I ride only on the weekends so I have to use jump starter since alarm system is draining the battery quite a bit.
Do what others said. Start the bike before you wear your gear on and once you're ready your bike will also be ready!!

GS is a very good starter bike and you won't regret your decision!!
good luck and hopefully you will be proud GS owner soon

[GeeP]

You shouldn't have any problems, especially if you re-jet.  The main problem is the weak starter (or electrical system in general), which seems to be a fixture on all motorcycles.  When it gets very cold the starter really has to work to turn the engine over.  Still, I routinely ride down to 0F and I haven't been stranded yet.

Possible remedies include:

A headlight cutout relay.  (In the US, bike headlights tun on with the key.   If you have an ON OFF switch, disregard this suggestion and keep the headlight off when starting)

Use a thinner winter oil such as 10W 30.  Reference I love YOU for other suggestions.

Try to keep the crancase warm, or pre-heat it before riding.  An oil pan or dipstick heater might be the perfect solution.

Carry motorcycle jumper cables in the winter.   

[Kasumi]

I think basically what were trying to say is its not the bike, its just what comes with commuting on motorcycles in general in the cold weather. If your going to commute on a motorcycle then you will naturally have the disadvantages that go with it.

[scottpA_GS]

I never have any trouble starting my GS hot or cold... I have started her on mornings of 20F and days of 90F+ and she always starts... Warmup time is a bit longer in cold but not much. As a matter of fact I am putting it away for the winter this weekend so this morning (26F) I went outside... pulled off the cover, threw the choke on and she started with one short pop from the starter. I adjust the choke to about 2k and let it run for about 2-3 mins then shut the choke off and she ran fine 

I dont know why there is such extreme differences in GS owners cold weather experience but for the past 3 years mine has ran great hot or cold 

[l3uddha]

get a fuel injected bike...