I have a 2004 GS500F.

I've changed the oil and when I'm riding it's actually really really smooth.

The problem is... when I start.... I usually don't do full choke so I don't flood the carbs... but for some reason it is so hard for the bike to find an idle. I actually have to throttle to get it to idle else it will be so weak at the beginning it just dies.

Is this normal and what could be causing this?

I have a fully charged battery... I was thinking maybe the spark plugs need changing? would this help?

always full choke for 1 min atleast... also adjust your idle after a good long ride...

you mean leave the choke on full for 1 min before starting?

no start at full choke for 1 min... then let it off slowly to bring the revs down

I see

So what I am seeing is normal?

Quote from: shibbi3 on September 06, 2011, 03:09:09 PM
I see

So what I am seeing is normal?

It depends on what you mean with "finding an idle".

Until I ran B12 through my bike I had a problem with it idling too low. It would warm up and then I'd be forced to leave the choke on maybe 1/4 of the way so it would hold an idle. My problem was a dirty pilot circuit. The B12 fixed it up without having to open the carbs. If that sounds like your problem maybe you'd want to try some fuel additives like B12/Seafoam?

Have you tried starting it with full choke? I start my bike with full choke ALWAYS, even if it's just for a brief 10 seconds, and then work the choke down until I hit the "warm-up point" (the point where you're not overchoking the bike). If your bike floods in full choke while your warming up, you may have a problem. I'd consult one of the more knowledgeable members on how to approach it though.

The GS500 manual actually says full choke at around 3000rpm for 30 secs. Every bike is different though and will have "sweet spots" on the choke lever. I guess you are just yet to find yours.

Full choke until mine hits about 4k rpm for a couple seconds.. then i can let the choke totally off and it idles around 1.3k without a problem....

When I first got the bike, the idle was really high once it warmed up.  I adjusted the idle screw and now it's great (1.2) unless I go for a 20+ mile ride.  Then the idle creeps back up to between 2 and 3 rpms.  I think they're just temperamental and require fiddling now and then.

Quote from: shibbi3 on September 06, 2011, 02:56:18 PM
I actually have to throttle to get it to idle else it will be so weak at the beginning it just dies.

I have on 06 stock and have the same thing. full choke, start, needs just a little throttle blip to put it above about 2k rpm and then the choke will hold it fine. leave it there while i do my jacket up (30sec or so), lessen the choke till it's sitting at about 2k rpm. gear up and ride off. i leave it there for the first 2 mins of riding (actually its just till i get past the round-about around the corner at the top of a hill) and then turn the choke completely off.

as you said, if i don't throttle it to start with then it'll just die (this is only really in the morning though, -3 deg C overnight or so, and still less than 5 in the morning, she sleeps outside too). warmer temp (ie: afternoon, about 12-15 deg C lately) i can turn off the choke before i leave the carpark.

as for cause??? my plugs are still in good cond. think she might need a valve check but not sure this is related.
It hasn't caused me a drama though since i've had her.

Quote from: shibbi3 on September 06, 2011, 02:56:18 PM
I usually don't do full choke so I don't flood the carbs...

All choke does is change the fuel/air ratio during starting. While is will draw more fuel into the cylinders it won't flood your engine.

The GS 500 doesn't have a choke per se, it has a fuel enrichment circuit. Likewise, CV carbs do not have a pumper circuit, so twisting the throttle with the bike off will not flood the engine. About the only thing that can flood these bikes is a bad float needle, or doing something silly like pouring fuel down the carb throat.

Worst thing the enrichment is likely to do is foul your plugs, and that generally only happens if you leave it on for a long time (30+ minutes) while riding.