Using the choke

[Yohan]

Is it normal to have to use the choke when starting up the bike? Even on hot days, the engine won't turn over. For instance, when I park at the school, and leave it out for a good few hours, the bike won't start up, even if the gas tank is blazing hot, at least not without the choke. I never got the owner's manual so I could use some clarification. Even when I keep it in the garage, I have to open the choke for the engine to turn over. Is this normal? Also, should I leave the choke on full or should I just use the choke to get the engine warm enough and start to rev the engine to "warm her up"? Which is faster and which is more safer? Any info would be appericiated, thanks.

[Richard UK]

Yes, always use the choke if the bike has been standing for more than a few hours.  Full choke, no throttle, press button, good battery, instant start.

always use the choke....

keep the revs between 2-3k for around 30 seconds...

I have an 03' and I have to use about 1/8 throttle when I press the starter button or the bike dies with the choke on....its as if the choke just wont kick in till the revs are up at around 2k, that why the throttle helps. not sure if this is common or not?

Stay Safe  

[threatrockone]

i always choke to start her up....i usually leave it in for the first mile/half mile  or so....then i feel it is safe to cut off the choke and let her rip!  

[Yohan]

Now I feel like a retard, but you can actually ride with the choke on? Since the RPM goes upto like 5000 when the choke is full, I always thought it'd be dangerous to shift into first. How does that work?

[Turkina]

nono, don't ride with the choke on...  you might get some bad throttle response and some unintended acceleration when you let the clutch out  

Bikes need to be warmed up a little, especially newer ones that run lean for emissions.  Bring the choke up to 2-4k rpms for 30 sec to a minute.  Then slowly shut the choke all the way, and see if your bike is idling happily at 1200-1500 rpm.  If the engine threatens to stop, give it more choke for little longer and repeat the process.  If you can't run your bike without using choke, maybe you need to poke at the carbs a little  

You'll find as the bike warms up, it wants to rev higher, a sign of warming up.  Just tweak the choke so the revs don't get too high/

[tigerstyle102]

I always use full choke to start, then as the revs increase I let off the choke. Once I get to half choke, I put it in first and go. About a half mile to a mile later I shut off the choke.

[dmp221]

Yes, choking is normal and recommended.  I always choke to start her cold, and after standing iver an hour, even on warm days...but I've rejetted, and have the Cobra F1-R...so my warm up time is amazingly short...like maybe 1-2 minutes.  For about 30-45 minutes after running warm, I do NOT need to choke to restart.

[jiggersplat]

that's funny... mine WON'T start with the choke on.

[JohnNS]

I usually warm mine up till I can give it a quick shot of throttle without it bogging. I don't like to ride until it gets to that point cuz I REALLY don't want that happening in the middle of a corner.  

John

[JamesG]

You don't want to ride with the choke on because it over richens the mix and you can foul the plugs & valves especally if you forget to shut it off soon enough.