Cold weather starting.

[CndnMax]

When it gets around 45F(especially when there's condensation) my bike has a very hard time starting. Would it be the battery discharging with cold or issues with the carbs in cold weather? If its the batteries, im thinking of getting one of these http://www.porta-jump.com/. They are rated at 30votls-would that damage anything?

[J_Walker]

Actually, In florida it has a slight cold spark for me aswell, and well my bikes already screwy, but it still takes 2x as long to start up than when its warm, I think its the carbs tbh. but don't take my word please

[MysterYvil]

Compared to other motos we've owned, it seems that the GS has a kinda weak battery.  We run a Battery Tender weekly for ours.

Apart from that, Mrs. has found that her GS needs a lot of choke when it's been cold and/or damp.  She rides at about half-choke for the first 5-10 minutes, depending on who damp/cold the weather is; after that the moto runs fine.

(Also, check your tire pressure!  Even in the moderate climate of Northern California, if she doesn't ride more than once a week her OEM tires lose a pound or four between outings...)

[rayshon]

Do you mean "hard time starting" as in it'll fire up but won't hold the choke-idle and stall immediately?

Or it will crank and crank and crank but not fire up?

Mine actually fires up really quickly even in the 30's. I have to blip the throttle though otherwise it'll stall.

[CndnMax]

Basically it will start for 1/2-1sec then die. Then it will turn over but won't catch. I have to play with the choke and let it sit for a little bit before it starts up again. Probably took me 5-7 min to get it started last time.

[tricky]

It's been hovering around 0 degrees Celsius where I am now, and my startup procedure is now: Bump start (the battery is dead in the cold), full choke for the better part of a minute, and then go. Sometimes when I bump start, it'll die out after a second or two, so I just do it again and it works 

[rayshon]

Basically it will start for 1/2-1sec then die. Then it will turn over but won't catch. I have to play with the choke and let it sit for a little bit before it starts up again. Probably took me 5-7 min to get it started last time.

yeah I don't think that's normal even in the cold lol

[MysterYvil]

Mrs. has had good luck "clearing" the choke first (full on, full off, full on again, then hit the starter).  Then her GS will fire up, lump along for a bit, then catch.  As soon as it gets to crazy-idle-RPMS she backs off to about half, then rides for a it before closing the choke fully.

(ps- have you checked your fully-warmed idle RPMs? The GS seems pretty sensitive to that, as had been discussed in many "hanging idle" threads.)

[rayshon]

  As soon as it gets to crazy-idle-RPMS she backs off to about half, then rides for a it before closing the choke fully.

I thought it was supposed to sit at full choke (4k RPMs) for like a minute then lowered down to like 2k so you can ride it (and off a few minutes of riding after)

[applecrew]

I've been riding consistently during the winter since i got my  '07 GS 3.5 yrs ago. Winter starts above freezing usually aren't much trouble, but after 4 years, I think it's time for a new battery - it no longer has the reserve it once did.

Below freezing, she cranks harder but usually catches and fires on full choke, and this is down to about 9 degrees F. I ride daily, even in the winter, and keep her on a battery tender at night. The state of tune/spark plug condition/ valve clearances all contribute to how easy the start-up is. Of course there is the occasional really hard start - it's hard to avoid. When I get a chance over the next month I'm going to bump the stock pilot and main jet one size to help deal with cold weather issues - it may make starting easier in extreme cold.

My ride is 100% stock - I don't know if there have been any mods to CndnMax's ride, so maybe there are other things to consider. Perhaps jetting may be a factor?

[steezin_and_wheezin]

remember to keep also valves clearances in mind if you are having hard time cold starting regularly. if they haven't been checked in while might be time again

[CndnMax]

Valves and spark plugs have been adjusted/changed not to long ago. Battery is 3years old, maybe I'll get an AGM battery and call it a day.

[BrianKD]

Does disconnecting the positive lead from the battery help preserve amps?

[adidasguy]

Does disconnecting the positive lead from the battery help preserve amps?

Only if you leave your bike turned on. 
Bike turned off = no electricity being used.
With my LiFe batteries things start and have plenty of power for long cranking.
I think our weather in West Seattle likes to play games (every part of Seattle has different weather due to the lakes, bay, ocean and geography). Where I am we often have weather that plays around freezing at night - a little above, below or up and down. LOTS and LOTS of condensation on everything. If bike hasn't been run for a few days (only because I'm riding one of the other ones, not because I'm not riding), I think there is condensation in the engine and carbs, and takes 10 seconds or so of cranking for it to blow out.

[BaltimoreGS]

Basically it will start for 1/2-1sec then die. Then it will turn over but won't catch. I have to play with the choke and let it sit for a little bit before it starts up again. Probably took me 5-7 min to get it started last time.

Have you changed the jetting?  I had a stock '01 that did that until I re-jetted the carbs a little richer.

-Jessie