Silly question of the day (part two)

wb

Again, its my first bike, so please excuse my ingnorance.

(Yamaha FZR250)

Regarding the choke:

Should I always start up the bike with the choke on and let it run for a few minutes? I know it is getting quite cold now, and I believe that the choke helps get the bike going. What about in the summertime?

At the moment, I always turn on the choke and let the bike run for about 5 minutes while Im getting my jacket and helmet on etc. Is this always necessary?

If the horrible truth be told, I'm not quite sure I understand the choke properly

Hope someone can give adivce.

Thanks.

tk123

I only use the bike when its too cold and the bike won't start without it -just while I put on my helmet and gloves - 1 min. Did you get any lessons before you got the bike - it might be an idea to get a lesson or two on your new bike - an instructor will be able to show you anything you need to know and give you tips etc..

wb

tk123 wrote:

I only use the bike when its too cold and the bike won't start without it -just while I put on my helmet and gloves - 1 min. Did you get any lessons before you got the bike - it might be an idea to get a lesson or two on your new bike - an instructor will be able to show you anything you need to know and give you tips etc..

Thanks.

Yeah, I got lessons and am driving it fine ( I got the lessons before I bought the bike though)

I had driven scooters for six years, so have plenty of road experience and know the rules of the road.

I also picked up a motorcycle maintanance course recently, but have been missing some classes due to college.

subway

use the choke if the bike wont stay running on its own.
only open the choke enough to keep the bike revving in and around its noraml idle speed.
revving it to 6000 for 5 minutes because the choke is fully open is a bad idea if the bike is cold.

if it will run on its own leave the choke closed and just let it warm itself up.

i generally use the choke for 5 - 10 seconds so the bike starts first time and then leave it running with the choke closed for a minute or 2 to warm up.

5 minutes should be more than long enough, even in this weather.

seamus

Choke control does vary from bike to bike. The handbook usually gives good guidelines on it. On my bike, I'd generally try and start it without choke first. If it won't run on it's own, I'd open the choke fully, start her up, then drop the choke to about 50%, and let it run while I lock up the house and stick on my gear. Then I'd close the choke just before getting on the bike (and keep the revs up if needed).

bugs

Choke should only be used to get a bike started to the point where it can maintain an idle by itself, which shouldn't take more than 30 seconds on any bike.

The choke controls a slider which partially closes the air intake, this makes the fuel/air mix very rich, which helps start the bike from cold. A rich mix is not particularily good for your engine or plugs so the minimum amount of time its on, the better.

tk123

I timed myself (there's a second hand on the bike's clock) and I use the choke for 20-30 seconds.

bushy...

bugs wrote:

The choke controls a slider which partially closes the air intake, this makes the fuel/air mix very rich, which helps start the bike from cold. A rich mix is not particularily good for your engine or plugs so the minimum amount of time its on, the better.

Its on a very limited number of bikes that the above applies i think, but on (most) bikes when you pull the choke it opens a separate passageway that allows more air + fuel through