Is full choke on a cold engine bad???

KawiKid860 · February 4th, 2012, 02:17 AM

Just wondering if its harmful to my bikes engine to have the choke set at 4k rpms when I first start the bike? Usually if its really cold and/or has been sitting for a long time it takes full choke to get it to start up and itll go to 2500 rpms then after a short while will move up to around 4k, at this point I'm busy putting my gear on and what not so I can't always go to the bike and reduce choke. Is 4k rpms gonna hurt the engine? Or does it really need to be revved high for cold revving to cause damage?

FrugalNinja250 · February 4th, 2012, 07:03 AM

It's best to adjust the choke to keep the RPMs under 2,500. Generally if you hang around the bike for a minute and adjust the choke as needed you'll get a nice stable idle while you go put on gear.

koenigcitizen · February 4th, 2012, 08:58 AM

When I start the cold bike this time of the year, I give it full choke. RPMs only go to about 2000 at first. In 20 sec or so, I leave it at about half choke, and ride off. By the time, I get to the first traffic light, my choke is off.

bluesinorbit · February 4th, 2012, 10:48 AM

I can't speak from a mechanical point of view but I would go by the manual and keep it under 2,500rpm. During my first month or so, I did exactly what you did; start the bike and leave the choke on at 2500. I left to get gear and whatnot. I came back and the bike was roaring at 4-5k. I could smell something burning and that scared me, and I haven't done that since. If you need to be away, adjust the choke from the start so that even at near full warm-up five minutes later, the rpm wouldn't get above 2500. It may take a bit longer to warm up than choking at a higher rpm, but you know the bike is safe even if you get a call/whatever and come back to the bike in 5-10 minutes.

EthioKnight · February 4th, 2012, 11:45 AM

Why not put on your gear first, crank the choke full on and ride away. It's the recommended way after all.
Here's a link that I found extremely helpful and I live by it>> http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Warming_up_your_engine

koenigcitizen · February 4th, 2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EthioKnight

Why not put on your gear first, crank the choke full on and ride away. It's the recommended way after all.
Here's a link that I found extremely helpful and I live by it>> http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Warming_up_your_engine

+1. This is how I do it

KawiKid860 · February 4th, 2012, 12:42 PM

wow I'll definitely switch to that method. usually just start up on choke throw on gear flip off choke and go. usually keep it around 2500 but been a few occasions where it goes to 4k, hope I haven't caused any damage or lost compression or anything

February 4th, 2012, 02:17 AM	#1
KawiKid860 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Murphey Location: Eastern Washington Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.	Is full choke on a cold engine bad??? Just wondering if its harmful to my bikes engine to have the choke set at 4k rpms when I first start the bike? Usually if its really cold and/or has been sitting for a long time it takes full choke to get it to start up and itll go to 2500 rpms then after a short while will move up to around 4k, at this point I'm busy putting my gear on and what not so I can't always go to the bike and reduce choke. Is 4k rpms gonna hurt the engine? Or does it really need to be revved high for cold revving to cause damage?

February 4th, 2012, 08:58 AM	#3
koenigcitizen Russian Ninja :) Name: Andrei Location: Ocean City, MD Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Triumph Street Triple R, 2009 Yamaha FZ6, 2010 Kawi 250r (sold) Posts: 335	When I start the cold bike this time of the year, I give it full choke. RPMs only go to about 2000 at first. In 20 sec or so, I leave it at about half choke, and ride off. By the time, I get to the first traffic light, my choke is off. __________________________________________________ 2009 Fazer (2009 Yamaha FZ6), 2012 Triumph Street Triple R

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February 4th, 2012, 07:03 AM	#2
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	It's best to adjust the choke to keep the RPMs under 2,500. Generally if you hang around the bike for a minute and adjust the choke as needed you'll get a nice stable idle while you go put on gear.

February 4th, 2012, 10:48 AM	#4
bluesinorbit ninjette.org member Name: Joon Location: Orange County, CA Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R Posts: 164	I can't speak from a mechanical point of view but I would go by the manual and keep it under 2,500rpm. During my first month or so, I did exactly what you did; start the bike and leave the choke on at 2500. I left to get gear and whatnot. I came back and the bike was roaring at 4-5k. I could smell something burning and that scared me, and I haven't done that since. If you need to be away, adjust the choke from the start so that even at near full warm-up five minutes later, the rpm wouldn't get above 2500. It may take a bit longer to warm up than choking at a higher rpm, but you know the bike is safe even if you get a call/whatever and come back to the bike in 5-10 minutes.

February 4th, 2012, 11:45 AM	#5
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	Why not put on your gear first, crank the choke full on and ride away. It's the recommended way after all. Here's a link that I found extremely helpful and I live by it>> http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Warming_up_your_engine

February 4th, 2012, 12:42 PM	#7
KawiKid860 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Murphey Location: Eastern Washington Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Honda 919, 2004 Ninja 500R NAKED Posts: A lot.	wow I'll definitely switch to that method. usually just start up on choke throw on gear flip off choke and go. usually keep it around 2500 but been a few occasions where it goes to 4k, hope I haven't caused any damage or lost compression or anything