good starting technique

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Monkey · #1 Unread post by **Monkey** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:44 pm

I searched for this but did not find anything conclusive. At MSF I was taught FINE C and I know basic steps to getting your bike to start are fuel, start switch, key..
.but im confused as to how much choke on its first start, when is it alright to start riding? My bike (83 650 NighthawK) seems to have an easier time starting cold if some gas is given, but ive heard that this is not reccomended?

So i guess I just want someone with experience to talk about the proper way of starting a bike.

the_sandman_454 · Fri Aug 15, 2008 2:52 pm

Chances are they're all going to have a little different "personality" in terms of how they start/warm up, even among similar models. There is no "proper method" that works on every single bike. Differences in tuning, tolerances, how worn the rings are, how clean the carb(s) are, among a great many other variables all combine to make your bike different than all the other ones.

The best bet is probably experiment with your particular bike and see what works best. If you find a method that works well, stick with it.

I wouldn't try to ride it until it's warm enough to not stall at idle speed without the choke, but your mileage may vary as they say.

Batan · #3 Unread post by **Batan** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:32 pm

If it helps, I can tell you that most Hondas of that vintage are very cold blooded. I have one('82 CB750F) and it needs full choke to start even when the weather is warm.

When it comes to it 'being alright to ride', at my course they thought us that you start riding when the throttle response is nice and crisp. Which it makes sense as you want to ride only if your bike won't pop, buck, stall or do other potentially dangerous stuff.
And back to the old Hondas, I find that my CB is warm enough and ready to ride if it holds normal idle w/o choke.

Lion_Lady · Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:41 pm

If the choke is on. Let the bike idle for the time it takes to say, put on your gear. Then ride.

You can ride with the choke on for a couple minutes. It does no harm to do so before the bike is fully warmed up, and may help the bike warm up faster than just sitting.

P

ofblong · #5 Unread post by **ofblong** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:26 am

yup even on a 90 degree day my 96 honda needs the choke all the way out after sitting in my garage all day. just hold it out maybe 10s on those days though. When its 20F out its a little different. Need to hold it out much longer just to be able to get the thing to move without dieing lol.

Monkey · #6 Unread post by **Monkey** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:15 am

what about giving it gas to start it? yay or nay?

Batan · #7 Unread post by **Batan** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:47 am

Monkey wrote:what about giving it gas to start it? yay or nay?

With the full choke on - no. Only when the engine is not cold.

Monkey · #8 Unread post by **Monkey** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:44 pm

so is it better to just try starting it until it goes without gas or to hold the starter button for a longer time?

Mine will start immediately with choke and a bit of gas, but if this isnt too great for the bike I don't know what is best.

ofblong · #9 Unread post by **ofblong** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 1:21 pm

it should start without gas. Holding the starter button for long lengths is going to kill your starter. mine starts within 2 seconds of pushing the button. usually within 1 without gas. I did learn today that if you dont have your choke set properly to where it returns all the way back in you get HORRIBLE gas mileage. at 80mph I have always gotten 47mpg. Yesterday I took a 400 mile trip and it took me 130 miles before I realized that my choke was half out. I was only getting 38mpg lol.