Whats wrong with PRIME? Whats wrong with CHOKE?

[nikux]

Whats wrong with PRIME?
Since I do mostly freeway rides, I need to switch to PRIME to avoid fuel starvation and more often than not I forget to turn it back to res/on. I see some people suggesting that one should not let the GS always run in PRIME position. One reason I see is that it can/will flood the float bowls, but what if it does not? Is it then safe to always run it in PRIME? I like this state of not worrying about PRIME and always running in PRIME, just wanted to make sure there is not any other way prime can harm the engine?

btw I checked my float bowl height and it looked okay to me, however given that keeping it in PRIME should flood it makes me unconfident.

Whats wrong with CHOKE?
Another question has been lingering on my mind for a long time. Whats wrong with riding the bike with choke on. It takes the bike a couple of minutes in cold weather to get warmed up. If I ride it in prime for those few mins, is there any harm? I know I CAN wait for those two min, but knowing the reason would make it worthwhile.

[510]

I think that if you leave the choke open, the engine runs rich. I'd imagine it's not good to leave it open for longer periods of time than necessary. I don't see any harm in running it with prime and choke for a little bit every time you start up though...

[beRto]

Whats wrong with PRIME?
Since I do mostly freeway rides, I need to switch to PRIME to avoid fuel starvation and more often than not I forget to turn it back to res/on. I see some people suggesting that one should not let the GS always run in PRIME position. One reason I see is that it can/will flood the float bowls, but what if it does not? Is it then safe to always run it in PRIME? I like this state of not worrying about PRIME and always running in PRIME, just wanted to make sure there is not any other way prime can harm the engine?

If you need to switch to PRI for highway rides, there is something wrong with your petcock (or vacuum pressure). I had the fuel starvation problem until I replaced the frame-mounted petcock with a new one (OEM). I can now run at highway speeds all day long with no trouble.

It has been suggested that running on PRI for extended periods can cause a lean condition in the engine. I have not experienced this myself, but you can read this recent thread for more info and opinions:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=41609.0

Provided the floats valves close properly, there is no problem parking the bike on PRI. Of course, there is no way to guarantee that the floats will always close properly. The floats may work perfectly fine for the next year, but the one time they stick you'll have a flooded engine and many potential problems (fuel in airbox, hydrolock, etc).

[spc]

The choke just introduces a stream of gas that bybasses the normal carbeuration chamber and goes directly to the engine, so yes it richens the mix.  If you leave it on long periods of time just remember that your 'idle' will eventually climb up in the RPM's to about 5k, so coming to a stop with it on would be a situation you would want to be very aware of.

[gsJack]

I left my old Hondas without vacuum shutoff in the on position for years and never had a problem, same as leaving the GS on prime.  Only a problem if the float needle valve leaks.

I use the choke and ride off with it partially on every day of the year that I ride.  Leave it on longer winters than summers.  Bike will let you know if you forget it.     Can restart all day without choke when it's warm out.

The short answer to your 2 questions:

Nothing.

Nothing.

[ohgood]

Whats wrong with PRIME?
Since I do mostly freeway rides, I need to switch to PRIME to avoid fuel starvation and more often than not I forget to turn it back to res/on. I see some people suggesting that one should not let the GS always run in PRIME position. One reason I see is that it can/will flood the float bowls, but what if it does not? Is it then safe to always run it in PRIME? I like this state of not worrying about PRIME and always running in PRIME, just wanted to make sure there is not any other way prime can harm the engine?

I'm too lazy to fix my petcock with the JBWeld method, so I run on PRIME whenever I get above 50 mph. Haven't had any issues myself, other than when it COUGHS because you're almost out of gas, there is no reserve left

[ben2go]

Going to prime at speed is due to a bad vacuum petcock.Here is 2 ways to remedy this.

Cheapest.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=19363.0 I do this conversion for $10 including return shipping.Takes over night and I ship it back.

Cheaper than stock petcock and uses no vacuum.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=36958.0