Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I have a 2005 Honda Shadow Spirit VT750DC. It's brand-ie new..I have maybe 200 miles on it right now.

I love it, but it's a MISERY to start, especially if it's been cold for about a week or so. It takes forever to get it to start, and then it takes forever to warm up.

Once it's warm it's no problem.

My friend has a 600 and she says hers is a pain too. Is this normal?

I am going out on a limb here, are you using the choke when starting it? You said if sets for a week it is hardest to start. Does the fuel valve selector have a prime position? If so set it at prime for a bit than try to start the engine.

I am assuming it is electric start. Does it have a fuel tap and if so are switching it off every time you park your bike? Does it have a manual choke, are you using it? Some bikes are set to run rich before the first service and you have to open the throttle wide when you start it, this problem may go away after the first service. How cold is it? Is the gap in your plugs the correct gap? Could be a number of reasons, lets see if the forum guys can sort it.

Yes I use the choke.

But I didn't turn the fuel gage off. It doesn't have "Prime" setting. Just on, off, and reserve.

Maybe that's the problem then.

If you bought it brand new, go back to the dealership and have them help you with the problem. A new bike should not be having that problem.

Agreed. I looked at that bike new on the showroom floor and they fired it up for me and it started instantly. Definately bring it to the dealer.

Have you tried different choke positions? Most bikes these days (unless they have EFI) are adjusted to run very lean at idle. This allows them to pass EPA emissions requirements, but tends to make for touchy starting and long warm ups. My bike is particular "cold blooded" in this respect, and requires the choke to be set at about the 3/4 position on a cold start. Not enough choke or too much, and it's hard to start. If you haven't already, try experimenting with different settings and see if you can find one that works well. If that doesn't solve it, I'd head back to the dealer for answers. You shouldn't be having this problem on a 200 mi. bike.