How do you start a cold motorbike first time?

Question

I have a 5 yr old GSXR, I've never been taught how to use a manual choke and struggle to start it on a cool morning. It always fires with the choke shut but stalls whether I try to open the choke/throttle or not. I've never not started it but it'd be nice to get it right first time rather than the trial and error I go through now. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

I would try adding a carb/fuel injector cleaner the next time you fill up your gas tank. Those gas additives are surprisingly helpful in cleaning out your fuel system and generally will help it start easier.
Then I would suggest starting it with the choke open and let it run a bit to warm up. Close the choke and try to rev the throttle - if it hesitates, let it warm up a little more.

Answer 2

1. Try to start the bike with the choke shut/closed if this fails do the following
2. open the choke fully, start the bike and get the engine running.
Do not try to open the throttle as this will just stall the bike. The bike will idle at higher revs than normal.
3. let the bike idle for 5 min or so and as you hear the revs start to build reduce the amount of choke you are using. Try gently opening the throttle, and see if the revs increase, opening the throttle swiftly may cause the engine to stall.
4. keep trying the throttle and wait until the response isn't sluggish anymore.
5. ride off, not forgetting to close the choke after a while.

Answer 3

Full choke, pull in the clutch, press starter. No throttle, maybe a quick blip if it won't catch but release immediately. Let it run for about 30 seconds, then reduce choke to about half. Ride away, choke to zero after a minute or so. Works on my 1200 Bandit.

Answer 4

There are a lot of bikes that need to run with the choke on for a good five minutes to warm up. You can gradually take it off choke until it stays running on its own and will take throttle. It's common on a lot of bikes.

Answer 5

My suzuki. full choke to start, then push it in gently to keep it below 3000 when it is all the way in it is ready to go. If you touch the throttle, it disables the choke. If you try to go with a cold engine it will stutter, then it is surprise wheely. Not a good thing in a crowded parking lot.

Answer 6

I used to despatch and on really cold mornings i would have to warm up the bike for up to 10 minutes before it would let me pull off without too much puffing or panting.
Maybe it is time to use this manual choke thing? from what i remember its a valve/lever on the carburettor. You just twiddle with it and you will hear when the engine will conk out or starts over-revving. i suggest you go to your local bike shop and ask them if to show you where the choke is located on the carburettor.

Answer 7

Sorry, but it's trial and error. You just need to learn how gradually to take the choke off while it warms up. And for God's sake, don't listen to the moron who said use starter fluid. All that will do is beat the hell out of your engine.

Answer 8

If its set up right try this:

Choke full on,
No throttle,
starter until it fires,

If you need throttle to start then thats the "knack" you'll have to figure but basically it means somethings not qiute right (dirt or something).

The owners book should give you a procedure like this tho.

Answer 9

full choke and no revs, let it warm up for a while untill it runs on its own, then ride off when it stops spluttering.

Answer 10

Try using "Starting Fluid". Spray some in the intake and start giviing it some petrol as the engine is starting up.

The choke is designed to restrict air and apply more fuel.
As the engine heats up to "running temp", the choke is turned down and eventually to "off" at full engine temp.