Ok, so I know the GS500 doesn't like to start below 85 degrees.  Would rejetting help or do I just keep adjusting the idle knob until it's fully warmed up?

Steve

If your bike is in good working condition, you should have no trouble starting whether it's 85F or 30F.

Warming up, on the other hand, takes some time.  Is warming up what you mean by "doesn't like to start"?  Warm up time is unavoidable.

Don't touch your idle knob until you've ridden normally for a good deal of time (25-30 minutes of riding).

My cold start procedure: get all gear on and completely ready to go.  Get on bike, choke to full, start it, rev throttle until it stays above 3k-4k rpm (which takes just a twist or two), and ride (leaving choke at full).  There is no trouble starting or warming up, to me.

Once I've ridden a few miles, I turn choke down, ride a bit longer, and turn choke off completely.

if you have to mess with idle speed knob, it needs fixing.

Yes on jets.

My warm up procedure...

- Choke on full.
- Start bike.
- Let it idle at full choke for a minute or two.
- Gradually turn off choke until idling around 2k or a tad above it.
- Leisurely put gear bag onto back of bike, don jacket and do up, put on helmet and tighten strap, put on sunnies, slip on gloves and secure.
- Hop on bike.
- Put into first gear.
- Turn choke off.
- Ride off sedately and for the first couple of miles.

My climate is similar to that of Florida. Bike is a K9.

Michael

Where I live, it's been in the 30s every night and low-mid 40s every morning when I head to work.

Full choke.
Start 'er up.
Give a little 'oomph' to get the RPM's up, and then reduce the choke until idle is around 3k.
Put on my jacket, helmet, gloves.
Hop on, put it in 1st, and head out.
After about 5-6 minutes of riding, I turn the choke completely off. If I turn it off any earlier, she'll die when I'm at a full stop, unless I'm on the throttle.