When starting the bike up in the morning or after a while, how long do you all keep the choke on to warm it up? I usually close it after a few minutes but not sure thats long enough.

thanks

Dan

 

Minutes?? in AZ? Sounds too long to me. Mine's all the way out for the first 2 or 3 seconds to get it to start, then 1/2 in long enough for me to put my lid on and back out of my drive way. On colder days it may stay half out for 1/4 to 1/2 mile, then all the way in. I'm guessing your plugs might be a little dark...

 

Over use of the choke/enrichener is probably one of the biggest causes of "fouled plugs".

I use the choke as little as possible, Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter..

I never pull it all the way out, and even on the coldest mornings I won't open it up more than halfway.

After the bike fires I'll 'feather' the throttle, and after 20 to 30 seconds maximum I'll push the enrichener fully closed. At that point you can do one of two things.

I always have my throttle lock set with enough friction that the throttle will stay in position when I release my hand, so if it's very cold outside (30 or below) I'll let the bike run on fast idle (without using the enrichener) for a couple of minutes.

During most of the year, when it's 50 degrees or warmer I'll open the choke about halfway, push it back in after about 15 seconds, and then just sit on the bike and open and close the throttle a little bit until the bike will idle on it's own. Never takes more than a minute or so.

 

I probably let mine out all of the way for approx 20 secs and then push it all of the way in. Keeping it in if i can manage to feather the throttle and keep it running for a good 20-30 more seconds. Even then, I tend to baby it before I get out on the highway.

Your mileage may vary. Anyone else do it the same? (This is probably the most popular post on here!)