Idling time on cold morning startup

[bobingeorgia]

Morning routing. Open garage, push bike out .
Try to start w/o choking , cranks right up and then stalls out.
Choke it and let it idle whilst I go inside to dress out for ride.

How long should I allow to idle ?
I choke it but lessen the choke just to keep it going?
Is there any harm in letting it idle?

Should I just wait till I'm ready to ride .
Start it with choke, mount and go or let it warm up disengage choke prior to driving?

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

My morning routine:
- Open the garage/Bike shed doors
- Open Choke
- Start Bike
- Back Choke off to about 2K rpm's
- Mount and roll bike out of garage
- Adjust choke again as the rpm's continue to increase as motor warms
- Close and lock garage doors
- Mount bike and ride to work (adjusting choke as necessary at stops along the way)

I have left the bike set and idle at times till it's fully warmed up but most of the time only a minute or two till I'm on it and going. It's better if you let it warm up but I guess I am abusive since I don't wait all the time.

[davidl]

I agree with Scott. Choke on & start the bike. Back off the choke till the RPMs are 2k. It doesn't take long for the bike to warm up. Usually by the time I put on my helmet, the bike is warm & ready to go.

[cushman eagle]

I agree with Scott.I also get up to speed slower than I would with a warm engine.My Ford Ranger has to be run hard to get up to speed,which I do with a cold engine,and it has 217000 miles on it.Yah,it is underpowered,but still gets me to work.

[Wahrsuul]

Haven't run the V in cold weather yet, but with all my bikes, I get them out of the garage, start, adjust choke for about 2k, and keep adjusting as necessary while closing garage, and getting the rest (gloves, liners, balaclava, helmet) of my gear on. Bu the time I'm a mile or two out, the bike is off the choke. My air cooled bikes seemd to take about the same time, but since they didn't have the wind protecion of the water cooled ones, I didn't ride them in near as cold temps.

[Mr Jensee]

The Voyager is water cooled. Idling is not going to harm it. On hot days, once started I would not have it idle till the fan comes on, however idling won't hurt it. Once I get mine started I like to idle it down to about 1500 rpms or so to let it warm up slowly. After 5 minutes or so she is ready to go and will idle without choke at 900 rpm.

[starrider]

About the same as most here. Start with choke in garage, lower idle to 2K, check lights, push out and lower idle. Put on helmet and gloves and ride. By the time I get into high gear I take choke off. I find my 02 runs fine without choke by the time I hit 5th. Warms up fast.

[Muleears]

My '02 (with supposedly rebuilt carbs) starts kind of hard in cooler weather (<60) and usually starts on only two cylinders and as it warms adds three and four. Needs full choke to start and as the additional cylinders join in I back off the choke to maintain 2K. Once I get a steady idle above 1500 I begin riding and usually have the choke off within two miles at highway speed. I'm wondering if my choke is adjusted properly or if the carbs were done properly. I get poor mileage too, usually only 34-37 mpg. But most trips are under 20 miles.

[cushman eagle]

Muleears,you should be getting about 10 mpg better than you are I also don't like that it only starts on 2cylinders.I question the carb rebuild,athough bad plugs could show somewhat the same symptoms.

[Muleears]

Muleears,you should be getting about 10 mpg better than you are I also don't like that it only starts on 2cylinders.I question the carb rebuild,athough bad plugs could show somewhat the same symptoms.

I have questioned the carb rebuild from day one. It was done by a "motorcycle mechanic" but not a Kawasaki mech. I think he was more familiar with Harley's. I may have to spring for another rebuild this winter, or take a shot at it myself. Thanks for the advice.

[Avidrider62]

While my carbs were out, I found bad wires. Man, now she runs smooth. Ohm them, max at 5k ohms

[cushman eagle]

Good ,you should also be enjoying better milage.