When my bike has been sitting for a while, and I am starting it in the morning or evening (even though it is still quite warm outside - i.e. 15-20C), I find myself having to use a lot of choke to start it up.

In addition to choke, I find that I also have to give the bike some throttle to keep it from stalling.  With choke 3/4 on and some throttle, I can get the revs to climb up a bit to start, but with just choke (at any value) the bike starts, runs for a very short period, stumbles and dies.  With too little choke or no choke, the bike stumbles and dies immediately.

This is a brand new '08 GS (less than 1000 km), and I have never had a bike with choke before, so I really don't know what is "normal".  I have already had a few "issues" with this bike (had the head gasket develop a major leak at 150K - yup, on my first real ride.  Manufacturing defect).  I'm not sure if I'm encountering something normal for the bike, or if it is special "feature" of my particular unit.  And I'd like a basis for comparison - which is why I'm turning to this community.

Can you share your experiences with me please?

I would appreciate if you could share the following with me about your bike:
1. When do you find that you need to use choke?
2. How much choke do you use?
3. How long do you leave the choke on?
4. How much gas do you have to give with your choke on?
5.  Where are the revs sitting during your startup procedure?  When do they rise/drop?

Thanks!

I start with full choke if it has been sitting around for while and then put on my gear.  By the time my jacket is zipped and my helmet is strapped, the bike is ready to go.  It revs around 4-4.5k with full choke.  It takes a couple blocks to get her going once I'm on the street. 

How much gas do you have to give it with full choke? 
Does your bike start off revving high (4-4.5) with full choke?

Thank you

I give it a little throttle to start then it goes up to 4k and stays there.

Well, what do you consider "a while"--are we talking a day or so, or long enough for gas to go bad?

I have a 2000 model and my friend has a 2006.  I have very rarely ever had to use full choke, and even at that it likely would not have stalled had I used a little less.  Usually, when properly choked, it'll be nearing the 4K mark within about 30 seconds or so.  I try not to let it exceed that while warming up, so I usually start backing off the choke a little at a time at that point.  Neither one of us ever have to give our bikes any extra gas when they're choked.  So...

1. I find a little choke necessary even if it's only been sitting 20 minutes or so. 
2. 3/4 is usually plenty in the 15-20C weather you mention. 1/4 seems to help a little for a semi-warm start.
3. Generally 3-4 minutes.
4. NONE ...EVER.
5. Slow (30 seconds or so) climb to 4K--from there I back it off.  Revs will stay up so long as choke is on--so far as I know, I've never really exceeded 5 minutes.

My thoughts are that you shouldn't be having these issues with a 2008!  Make 'em fix it right if it's in your power to do so.  Mine likely needs a carb cleaning, but it'll still hold an idle.

mine starts with about half choak and sits at around 4k . I can take the choke of in a few min and it will idle but if i give it gas it wants to die .

i go in the house gear up and when i come out shes ready to go . I can feel it being a little slugish for a block or two but by the time i hit the main road its good to go . After the first warm up of the morning she will start all day with no choke and take off

Thanks for your reply theUBS

1.  A while - 7 or 8 hours sitting.  Definitely NOT long enough for a gas problem.

2.  Even when the salesman at the dealer started it, he reached for the throttle, and ran up the rev's impressively to 6-7, and then back down again, running it up a few times - not sure if he thought he would impress me by making the bike go "vroom!"?  I have to admit that I'm not too impressed with the dance of the starting procedure, especially since I can't even buckle my helmet without it stalling when I take a hand away from the throttle (and the helmet is a two handed operation).   When it's warm, it starts like a dream!

What are the signs that you are giving your bike too much choke?  too little?

As for fighting - I've already had words with the dealership over them having my brand new bike for a week and a half waiting for parts (that were ordered "rush" to replace a head gasket.  They admitted that the gasket was a manufacturing defect - apparently it had a chunk torn out of it when it was installed). 

Before I start a fight with the dealership, I like to make sure that I am on the side of right.  I'd rather ensure that it's not my error first.

Quote from: theUBS on August 15, 2008, 09:04:16 PM
Well, what do you consider "a while"--are we talking a day or so, or long enough for gas to go bad?

I have a 2000 model and my friend has a 2006.  I have very rarely ever had to use full choke, and even at that it likely would not have stalled had I used a little less.  Usually, when properly choked, it'll be nearing the 4K mark within about 30 seconds or so.  I try not to let it exceed that while warming up, so I usually start backing off the choke a little at a time at that point.  Neither one of us ever have to give our bikes any extra gas when they're choked.  So...

1. I find a little choke necessary even if it's only been sitting 20 minutes or so. 
2. 3/4 is usually plenty in the 15-20C weather you mention. 1/4 seems to help a little for a semi-warm start.
3. Generally 3-4 minutes.
4. NONE ...EVER.
5. Slow (30 seconds or so) climb to 4K--from there I back it off.  Revs will stay up so long as choke is on--so far as I know, I've never really exceeded 5 minutes.

My thoughts are that you shouldn't be having these issues with a 2008!  Make 'em fix it right if it's in your power to do so.  Mine likely needs a carb cleaning, but it'll still hold an idle.

Quote from: nikitaa on August 15, 2008, 09:16:28 PM
What are the signs that you are giving your bike too much choke?  too little?

Too much, I'm guessing it'll rev too high too soon.  I don't really think 3/4 is over-doing it on a cool morning.  Even if it is too much, you should be able to slowly back it down as I mentioned. 

Too little, it'll struggle to hold an idle IF it starts--sputter and maybe stall.

At any rate, I don't think it should be as complicated as it seems to be for you and your bike.  I say try starting once with full choke and see how it works.  If it works, that's great.  Try using a little less each consecutive time you do a cold start until you find the optimum amount to use.  Still, I don't think, you should have to be twisting the throttle to keep it running.  I'm relatively new to cycling, and haven't had any issues starting my bike.

Quote from: theUBS on August 15, 2008, 09:04:16 PM
...Usually, when properly choked, it'll be nearing the 4K mark within about 30 seconds or so.  I try not to let it exceed that while warming up, so I usually start backing off the choke a little at a time at that point.  Neither one of us ever have to give our bikes any extra gas when they're choked.  ...

+1

Even with full choke, I am finding the need to give the bike some extra gas.  From what everyone here is telling me, this is NOT normal.  I will be taking it up with the dealer on warranty when I take the bike in on initial service.

I have to choke it all the way and a little gas, it starts runs at 1400 to 1500 rpm and will slow down to about a 1000 then stumble and die if I dont rev it a little. Then after about a min, it'll climb to about 3000 to 3500 and ill drop the choke to stay between 2 and 3k while I gear up. Turn off the choke and take off, sometimes it will stumble a little fo rthe first block or so then its fine.  Mine is a 2007. with only 3000 miles. But I've only had it a month and 1/2. Just changed to the iridium plugs havent really noticed a change. I'm thinking of gettin with buddha and grabbin an exhaust flange or slip on and re jet kit. we'll see.

I had the same problem with my new 08 with about 250km on the clock.  choke on full would only sit round 1500 rpm instead of 3000 rpm.

Fuel was also pissing out of the fuel outlet tube on the right hand side of bike near foot peg.  Bike was running like crap and would not idle once warm.

Took the bike back to dealer and turned out the left pot flooded  and plug got wet.  Dealer changed over the plug and cleaned the carbs and problem solved.

to answer your other questions.
full choke from start for about 30 seconds then back the choke off.  Bike will idle round 800 to 900 rpm till warm then should iddle at 1200rpm.

Take the bike back to the dealer and get them to check it out.  Make sure to ask for a loan bike and enjoy the loan bike for the day 

There's absolutely no reason a bike should require the throttle to keep running while it's warming up. When the engine is cold, I start my bike with full choke, then as soon as it's running I back the choke down a bit so it settles in around 3000 rpm. While I get my gear on, I may have to tweak the choke some more to keep the engine from revving higher.
I'm usually down to half choke by the time I'm getting on the bike, and off the choke completely within a mile or two.

I like most  start  on 3/4 choke put the gear on and go. Sometimes I do have to twist the throttle once or twice to keep him going. Also, the bike is a wee bit sluggish 'till I get 1/4 mile through the sub-division. But, this is only on the first start of the day. I live in Fl so I know that heat doesn't help a whole lot. I think our bikes are just cold blooded reptiles

Mary S.