Hi everyone,
well another motorcycle season is upon us here in Sweden (rather late I might add....) and I took my motorcycle out of winter parking wednesday afternoon. Yesterday, as well as today, I had problems starting it up in the morning (again... had problems with this once last year as well). This usually happens around 8.30 with a temperature of aorund 4-6 degrees celsius (sunny). The bike is parked outside and right now without the cover (I know stupid , just havent really had the time to take it out of storage yet... will do that today). Both yesterday morning and this morning the bike refused to start... needless to say I was quite annoyed by the whole thing since it meant (at least yesterday) that I was late for work... (thank God though for flexible working hours).
Anyway, my question is does anyone know what the problem might be? Most of my friends here with bikes do not have problems starting theirs up in the morning. All I can think of is that it might be the humidity at this time of year here in Sweden cause the bike starts up fine in the afternoon (and late at night even tho the temperature might drop).
Has anyone had problems starting their bikes when the weather is humid and somewhat cold? Is this a problem with the GS electronics? I've been thinking about leaving it in the shop (think it's still under warranty) but just want to get some tips and feedback from you guys in case any of you have had the same problems.
I can get a sort of "humidity spray" :? to dry out the humiduity, but what areas of the bike do you think are affected by it? The spark plugs?
thanks!
regards,
Dion
I sometimes have that problem in that sort of temperature range on "dewey" or rainy mornings. Normally I find that full-choke and no throttle will start her up. On one or two occasions I used a spray, into the air filter, lift seat and spray under tank, and it worked. Some folks blast a "damp start" spray all over the engine but I can't see any point in that.
Keep your plugs and leads clean and you should be OK.
Hi Cal,
thanks for the tips! I'll try them. Hopefully I wont have a problem from now on. I got the bike may last year and the weather was warmer and less damp. Didn't have the problems then... hopefully it will get better though.
regards,
Dion
Hilsen. I have also found morning starts to be harder than evening starts. One common area of starting problems is insufficient battery power. The stock batteries in the GS are not as well-made as typical automobile batteries, and it is possible that this is contributng to your problem.
If you still have a month left on your warranty, I'd take the GS back to the dealer, and ask them to perform a load test on the battery. This simulates the power draw which happens when the GS is started. If your battery is not perfect, then you may get a new battery, paid for under warranty.
Another possible problem, is that if the GS was stored with fuel in the carburetors, and the fuel was not treated for storage, then the pilot jets may have become partially blocked. That would affect starting and idle all the time (not just on damp mornings).