Hello everyone, I just got my 2000 GS500E from a guy down in San Jose.  The bike has 5206 miles on it and looks great! Being a newbie rider, however, I was hoping I could ask a couple of questions about warmup time.

I've been reading that the GS500 is a "cold beast" and will require lengthy warmup times before it responds smoothly to throttle inputs.  What does "lengthy" mean?  Obvioulsy it depends on the ambient temperature and the tune of the bike and alot of other factors, but are we talking 1 min, 5 min, or something more like 15 min?

The bike seemed to be behaving funny last night and I am curious if I just didn't let it warm up long enough.

Thanks.

D

More than 1 but less than 5, I'd say. At least in mild weather. Just start the bike with the choke fully on and adjust it down as needed to have the tach show between 3500-4000 RPMs. just barely move it each time. Once the bike  is warmed up, it will drop the RPMs down to regular idle, or about 1200. You can ride now (choke off, by the way), but take it easy for the first 10 minutes or so. Shift early, accelerate smoothly, etc. I usually ride for about 2 miles down my street (lots of stoplights, traffic, etc.), and then I'm good to goose the throttle.

Hope that helps,

Dave  

Warm it up until the exhaust coming out of the pipe is hot...  or at least warm. :dunno:

I start and go. red lights are for warming it up.

-ash

haha. starting and going is awful cruel to the bike. let her warm up first, if you want the most life out of your engine. running it cold causes it to use more gas, and work harder, causing more wear.

Ash is like me, in the south.  45 is pretty damn cold here. :lol:

Quote from: bargovichaha. starting and going is awful cruel to the bike. let her warm up first, if you want the most life out of your engine. running it cold causes it to use more gas, and work harder, causing more wear.

Tru dat! And, letting it idle for more than 2 minutes is a waste of gas, time and can foul your plugs. During the summer I count to 60 and ride off, during the winter I count to 90.

PDX , is that the RPM's your owners manual suggest for warmup??

Seems high for warmup... If memory serves most manufacturers want/suggest 2500 rpms  or so...(At least thats what  My 1100 calls for..)

Let us know what the manual says if you have it...

Quote from: JaredPDX , is that the RPM's your owners manual suggest for warmup??

Seems high for warmup... If memory serves most manufacturers want/suggest 2500 rpms  or so...(At least thats what  My 1100 calls for..)

Let us know what the manual says if you have it...

Per the owner's manual:

QuoteWhen warming the bike up from cold state, adjust the choke lever such that the RPMs lay between 3500-4000 RPMs. Do this for close to 4 minutes, constantly adjust to keep the RPMs in said range, and then realize that Dave completely made this shaZam! up and has no idea what the manual says. He is just doing what seems right to him. He's a f%$king noob and doesn't deserve to be listened to anyways. He can't even figure out what's wrong with his own bike!

So yeah, that's what is says.

Dave  

My bike always seems to take 3 to 5 minutes to warm up.  

One warmed up there is no problem but until then it is useless to do anything but wait.

Hope I never have to make a quick get away.

Maybe some new jets?

i figure when your bike isnt bogging down its rideable. most of the time mine is ready to go so...
during winter tho I have to let it warm up a min or 2 otherwise I'll just kill leaving the driveway. this is when its 40 or colder.

-ash

I usually walk to my bike, turn it on, give it full choke, and let it run that way while I put my gear on, adjusting the choke every now and again. Zip up the jacket, glasses off, helmet on, glasses back on, gloves on, adjust the junk, get situated, throw a leg over, turn the choke off, and give it some gas. If it isn't warm by then, I just wait. Time is usually 3 and 5 minutes. Sometimes 1 and 2 minutes, because Texas is f$*%ing hot.

My owners manual says...

When engine is cold.

1)Turn choke all the way towards you, close throttle completely.

2) Push starter button.

3) Immediatly engine starts keep engine speed at 2000-3000 rpm by varying choke lever position.

4) Move choke lever to "off" position approx 30 seconds after engine starts. it may be necessary to use choke longer in extremely cold weather.

When engine is warm
Choke should not be necassary. Open throttlt 1/8 to 1/4 turn and push start button.

That is copied directly from my manual, I'm not saying it's what I do as routine but I do it if it's frosty.

I think the reason I've been putting it between 3500 and 4000 is because less than that and it won't hold steady. But don't diagnose this as a problem, because I am not positive that is true.

dave  

PDX  I'm not busting your chops....that just seemed high.

Your bike runs fine otherwise tho right? Maybe it's just the newer models thing... Each bike has it's quirks...


Anyway...

I have no idea if this is normal, but I start it as Cal describes, but above 65F I leave it idling at 1500-2000 rpm via the choke while I put my gear on, mount the bike and ride off.  By the first major intersection (a minute of riding), I'm off the choke entirely.

Between 40F - 65F, I need to add another minute or so of idling before gear and a leg over.  Below 40F, it's three minutes or more of idling before same.

I'm off the choke regardless if I have any prolonged speed above 4000 rpm.  By then the mains are supplying lots of gas, choke seems to cause surging and no longer required in my books.

I do about the same. I walk out crank it, and gear up. This takes about 3 minutes. Then I idle down my very steep very long gravel driveway. This is very scary as there us usually a little sliding going on. I about 1/8 mile to the highway and cut the choke as a wait for a break traffic.

Thanks everyone!  That was a great help.   Learnin' a little bit at a time!

D

Palo Alto Rocks!

3K?  Damn...  With the choke wide open, mine sits at 4800 or so...   Slight adjustments are kinda hard to do...

I guess I'm wasting gas and messing up my plugs.