Cold starting curvy

[boot]

Have been using V-Power until I put some BP Ultimate in this week. Now, this could be the BP or could be the cold.

Full choke around 2.5k revs. Riding in this morning, couldn't get her to idle at usual 1.3/1.4 with choke off - just drops to around 1k or cuts out.

Do you - get bike started, get going and roll the choke off without leaving to warm up, or do you start on choke, leave to warm up until normal idle reached with choke off and then commence journey.

Thanks in advance for the helpful comments like "buy a car", "buy a pointy" (nope) etc.

[Spiderman]

I used to get it started, which was hard work enough, with the choke on. Then ride off with choke on and gradually kill off the choke. My commute in those days was about 20 miles, motorway and in town riding. Sometimes choke would still be on when i got to work!
Try Pro FST in the fuel, it helps sort out the carb icing issues and helps it run more smoothly in this kind of coldness.

And hate to say it...but i do have a pointy now. Makes life so much easier in this type of weather!.

[Alpinestarhero]

I've found that BP ultimate isnt as good as V-power for cold starting.

I use full choke, no throttle. Hit the button and get it bursting into life, should go up to 3000 rpm on full choke (might take a moment). slowly back off on choke until engine is fast idling at about 2300-2500 rpm, put on ear plugs. slowly turn down the choke still its off and let the bike idle while i kiss maria, put on helmet, put on gloves. Go time.

If the bike dies while idling, i let it rest for 5 seconds, then try again, its normaly ok though

If you are having problems getting the bike started from cold, check the plugs are in good condition, and get the carb balancing checked aswell

[boot]

Cheers.

Carbs balanced a few weeks ago, plugs were ok last time I checked, but will have a look at them tomorrow.

If you can't get your key in, think on - warm water will help you get the key in, but it'll freeze in there once you've got to work, deicer sorted that one out though. :rolleyes:

Will have to get some PRO FST to try aswell, but was more interested in the let it warm or just get going side of things.

[Spanner Man]

I use full choke, no throttle. Hit the button and get it bursting into life, should go up to 3000 rpm on full choke! That's until Spanner man tells me off for revving a stone cold engine:D



Cheers.

[Alpinestarhero]

Cheers.

i turn it down again to a better idle...

me's go stand in naughty corner

(how should i be doing it, thats now the suzuki manual suggests to start the bike so thats what I follow...full choke, then turn it down so engine idles at about 2500 rpm...sometimes though the engine catches really strongly, which obviously isnt good, espeically on the valvetrain...)

[Spanner Man]

Good afternoon all.


My preference is to back the choke off as soon as the engine starts, & try to keep it around 1400ish rpm. That way there's less strain on the engine, & gives the components that are the last to get oil an easier life.

However, young Matt, for your previous acts of mechanical sadism, we shall upon your next visit administer a suitable punishment with a honey dipped wet kipper, & a ping pong ball:D


Cheers.

[pce13]

In this weather i use full choke and slight twist of throttle and it starts easy, even with full choke mine doesn't idle over 2000 rpm and after 30 seconds i turn choke off and ride

[thedonal]

Today, with a fully charged battery (plus recent service- new plugs, filters and fluids plus carbs balanced)- started at about 2/3rds choke- instantly went to about 2k revs. Upped to full choke for a bit, then started reducing- left choke on with revs about 1.5k- rode for about 5 mins with this then dropped the choke.

I've got V-Power in the engine and about 1% FST. No knocking and fairly smooth (for the cold, cold weather we're having).

Generally I'll run enough choke for about 2.5k revs until it starts warming up, drop the revs and let the oil circulate for about a minute before setting off in gear. But at the moment, with the extreme cold, I'm getting it at 3k revs first, just cos it struggles below.

[Thingus]

Bout 20 secs of full choke, then kept it around 1,400rpm using the choke until it ran smoothly at 1.2 ish.

Me personally i don't ride with the choke on cus i have an idea that i won't turn it off.

Fuel i use is Tesco premium or Shell V Power, dunno who Tesco use.

[boot]

Back on the V-Power today - MILES better.

Left it to get warm (which took a while) by starting as per Spannerman's advice, however it kept petering out. Had to keep it around 2k until it had warmed through, but much better running.

It was VERY cold today. Chappy from a few door up reckons it was -8°C, but I measured it at -5°C.

[Alpinestarhero]

Good afternoon all.


My preference is to back the choke off as soon as the engine starts, & try to keep it around 1400ish rpm. That way there's less strain on the engine, & gives the components that are the last to get oil an easier life.

However, young Matt, for your previous acts of mechanical sadism, we shall upon your next visit administer a suitable punishment with a honey dipped wet kipper, & a ping pong ball:D


Cheers.

I look forward to it :cool:

I shall perform the prescribed method of action for cold starting my bike in the future

can i come out of the naughty corner now?

[liamsimpson]

Back on the V-Power today - MILES better.

Left it to get warm (which took a while) by starting as per Spannerman's advice, however it kept petering out. Had to keep it around 2k until it had warmed through, but much better running.

It was VERY cold today. Chappy from a few door up reckons it was -8°C, but I measured it at -5°C.

Just to fuel (get it) your sarcasm need BUY A CAR!!!:D:D:D:Dlol

[boot]

Just to fuel (get it) your sarcasm need BUY A CAR!!!:D:D:D:Dlol

Nah! Think I'll get a pointy. At least then, if I drop it, I won't be that bothered. ;)

[liamsimpson]

Nah! Think I'll get a pointy. At least then, if I drop it, I won't be that bothered. ;)

good point, was thinking of getting a pointy for winter hack so the salt will eat it!:D

[thedonal]

Good afternoon all.


My preference is to back the choke off as soon as the engine starts, & try to keep it around 1400ish rpm. That way there's less strain on the engine, & gives the components that are the last to get oil an easier life.

However, young Matt, for your previous acts of mechanical sadism, we shall upon your next visit administer a suitable punishment with a honey dipped wet kipper, & a ping pong ball:D


Cheers.

Bl00dy hell. Why haven't I been offered this service?

[Alpinestarhero]

Bl00dy hell. Why haven't I been offered this service?

Stewart, do you offer discounts on group bookings :lol:

[Spanner Man]

Back on the V-Power today - MILES better.

Left it to get warm (which took a while) by starting as per Spannerman's advice, however it kept petering out. Had to keep it around 2k until it had warmed through, but much better running.




Good morning all.


You may well find that if you can adjust your mixture screws (if they're not seized) it'll run on less choke without cutting out.
Suzuki typically set them at around 2 turns out, however once the engine has worn a little, most bikes seem to idle better with the screws set nearer to 3 turns out.

[Spanner Man]

Bl00dy hell. Why haven't I been offered this service?

You will receive it when you buy your new shock:D

Stewart, do you offer discounts on group bookings :lol:

Only when Bill's in the mood for a little Kipper whipping!

[thedonal]

You will receive it when you buy your new shock:D


I'll be in touch with you about that soon- and the front discs.

Smoke me a kipper- I'll stop by in the New Year!

[SVGrandad]

The worst thing you can do to a cold engine is start it, and the second worst is let it rev away on choke. If you must start it, drive away as gently as possible and get the choke off asap as well.

It used to be recommended to put Molyslip in the engine oil to reduce cold start wear, but I have never seen it mentioned on the forum.

[Alpinestarhero]

The worst thing you can do to a cold engine is start it, and the second worst is let it rev away on choke. If you must start it, drive away as gently as possible and get the choke off asap as well.

It used to be recommended to put Molyslip in the engine oil to reduce cold start wear, but I have never seen it mentioned on the forum.

I suppose modern multigrade oils are quite good at protecting the engine, even when cold, so additional anti-friction materials are probably not required, and could even be a bad idea (could cause gearbox and clutch problems). Mind you, molybdenum grease mixed with engine oil is recommended when re-assembling a dry engine :)