Why does my choke do this...

[Feasty]

I think this is a bit of a daft noob one, but in the mornings and sometimes evenings when I'm starting my bike (Honda SLR650) I need the full choke on. Initially the bike starts but then either cuts out or almost cuts out before it then picks up and is absolutely fine. Reducing the choke or using a bit of rev's whilst starting the bike seems to make it worse - anyone any ideas why it might do this?


____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[Davie_G71]

You could be flooding it. Not good for the bores.

On my bike (97 SRAD) i only need a small amount of choke and leave it idling for a minute, as soon as the revs are smooth, i back the choke of a couple of mm and then turn it off completely when i'm on the move.

Try using half the amount of choke you normally use, but give it some gas as you are starting it. I've never heard of anything, car or bike requiring FULL choke to start unless there is an underlying problem.

David.
____________________
Suzuki GSXR600 SRAD, 1997 & Kawasaki Z1000, 2003.

[Kal]

I take it the idle is okay once it is running and warm?

I wouldn't be inclined to worry about it. Just leave it running a little longer before whacking the choke off after starting. I tend to use the time to put my helmet and gloves on.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[Pickle]

[Seb]

My old ZZR was like that, it'd start on full choke but it'd sound rough and nasty doing it, ~30% or so choke and it started smoothly and easily every time.
____________________
2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[t121anf]

i thought that was normal for a manual choke.

just let it idle for a min and it'll be fine.


more choke is normally needed the colder it is.

[Feasty]

My bike is 9 years old with 13.5k on the clock now, just had a full service a month or so ago and had a new choke cable. I've been attempting recently to start it with about 1/2 choke and that seems to work - just!
It'll start, nearly die then idle slightly high before gently slowing down and at that point I turn the choke off and the bike continues to idle from then on. If I try to start it without the choke it just won't start - throttle or no throttle.

As to Davie_G71 comments, the whole point of full choke is for when it's really cold and damp and more difficult for the bike to start. My XR125 always needed full choke initially in cold weather before going down to 1/2 choke and then off when it had warmed up - if cars or bikes didn't need full chokes why would they have them!?
____________________
Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[Seb]

8 years old with 40k miles, I reckon that bike would have been good for 100k on nothing but oil, filters and petrol
____________________
2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Davie_G71]

I never said they didn't need them, i was merely pointing out that I, thats ME, have never had the need to use full choke.
____________________
Suzuki GSXR600 SRAD, 1997 & Kawasaki Z1000, 2003.

[Feasty]

[Clanger]

I generally use full choke and no throttle to start the sv...and she starts no probs, even if left to stand for a few months. Let her tick away on idle, then slowly reduce the choke and she's ready.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss