Can you start when it's cold?

blink · April 10th, 2012, 06:02 PM

Weird question... is there a rule when it comes to starting.../using your bike when it's cold out?

I just got a job which requires me to start at 7:30, therefore in my city...not being very warm; let's assume it's anywhere from (with or without wind chill) -5....+5 so my question is, I have had troubles starting the bike in colder weather and had to either hold the throttle down (ever so slightly, maybe bring the revvs to 3000 only)

is it okay to do this? I don't want the timing to slip or whatever problems could occur.

Should I keep turning it over until it stays lit by itself? Is it okay to slightly apply throttle?

And how long should i wait after starting it? I have an electronic temp guage so it says --- for a few seconds or until the bike hits 20 degrees then it indicates 20...which is I guess when it warms up.

BTW i have a gixxer so it's FI

I know the rule for cars at least is (only mechanics know this...) 30 seconds is all you need for the oil to warm up, but i figured it'd still ask.

****For those who are confused or don't want to read****

How should I go about starting my bike when it is cold?
Can I apply a slight bit of throttle?
And how long should I wait before I take off? (my temp is indicated in digital numbers, so starts at 20 degrees and go up to about 100 when very hot out)

Jiggles · April 10th, 2012, 06:17 PM

It's fuel injected and it won't stay going in the cold?

ajcadoo · April 10th, 2012, 09:07 PM

I apply choke at about 2500RPM for 30secs-1min and then drive away as soon as I can throttle my bike to 6000RPM without it bogging down. I keep the choke on if I have any red lights that I may be idling at. I turn off the choke within 3-5 minutes, or when I know there wont be a stop for at least a mile.

Jiggles · April 10th, 2012, 09:08 PM

@ajcadoo Fuel injection bro

KawiKid860 · April 10th, 2012, 10:30 PM

From what I've heard and seen, just start it, let it idle for 20-30 seconds, take off and ride her nice and easy until up to running temp, then do wheelies

tapdiggy · April 10th, 2012, 10:35 PM

Hey Blink, how does your battery seem, charge-wise? Cold flats batteries and can make them struggle to get things moving. As far as warmup time, if the engine doesn't sound like an idling diesel, good to go.

alex.s · April 10th, 2012, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

How should I go about starting my bike when it is cold?

with the starter button.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

Can I apply a slight bit of throttle?

yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

And how long should I wait before I take off? (my temp is indicated in digital numbers, so starts at 20 degrees and go up to about 100 when very hot out)

if you give it gas and the rpms go up, its ready.

Sigma.40 · April 12th, 2012, 02:48 PM

I've ran my 08 ninja in as low as 20F. What I do is start it with full choke and when the rpms shoot up to 4000 (about 30 seconds) I turn the choke down so its idling at 2000 and ride away. I turn the choke off after about 1-1.5 miles. Not sure if this is the right way but its worked for me so far.

blink · April 12th, 2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigma.40

I've ran my 08 ninja in as low as 20F. What I do is start it with full choke and when the rpms shoot up to 4000 (about 30 seconds) I turn the choke down so its idling at 2000 and ride away. I turn the choke off after about 1-1.5 miles. Not sure if this is the right way but its worked for me so far.

I don't have a choke

FI gixxer

gilmorec61 · April 12th, 2012, 04:13 PM

Are you talking about your Ninja or your Gixxer?

If there both FI they should just run.

blink · April 12th, 2012, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilmorec61

Are you talking about your Ninja or your Gixxer?

If there both FI they should just run.

My gixxer! lol

Its not about running, it's about starting it up, it just starts up and dies, so i have to stay on the throttle till it warms up and stay lit by itself

Csmith9 · April 12th, 2012, 05:03 PM

pfft, FI FTL hahaha my 03 Ninja starts up no problems when its cold out, and I experience equally as cold of weather. It makes my friends jealous how well my bike starts on colder days.

tapdiggy · April 13th, 2012, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

My gixxer! lol

Its not about running, it's about starting it up, it just starts up and dies, so i have to stay on the throttle till it warms up and stay lit by itself

That is a problem. You might need to fix something. Have you asked this question at gixxer.com? They might know more about GSX-Rs than ninja 250 owners.

gilmorec61 · April 13th, 2012, 07:21 AM

Yeah, you shouldnt be having to do anything except hit the starter button with it being FI. Like he^ said, check out a gixxer forum, they'll be able to help you more than we can

extremez31 · April 13th, 2012, 07:35 AM

Not necessarily true, my old bike was a 2002 Fuel Injected 750 which had a choke for warm ups. The bike would start and die unless the choke was set to 2k rpm or higher.

soooo start the bike and give it a little rpms between 1000-2000 especially when its cold out. Your oil is cold and causes the motor to work more to pump it. Once the bike reaches 50 degrees or so it should idle on its own.

This is entirely based on my experience with the ducati.

tapdiggy · April 13th, 2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extremez31

Not necessarily true, my old bike was a 2002 Fuel Injected 750 which had a choke for warm ups. The bike would start and die unless the choke was set to 2k rpm or higher.

soooo start the bike and give it a little rpms between 1000-2000 especially when its cold out. Your oil is cold and causes the motor to work more to pump it. Once the bike reaches 50 degrees or so it should idle on its own.

This is entirely based on my experience with the ducati.

He doesn't have a "choke" equipped bike so it shouldn't be an issue, unless it is a thing that happens with his model/year gixxer. So for the sake of not getting arumentative, I reiterate, check out gixxer.com or another Suzuki motorcycle forums for answers.

choneofakind · April 13th, 2012, 03:16 PM

I think a PowerCommander, some research on a GSXR forum, and some experienced help might be necessary.

blink · April 14th, 2012, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

I think a PowerCommander, some research on a GSXR forum, and some experienced help might be necessary.

I have a powercommander!

choneofakind · April 14th, 2012, 01:01 PM

Hmm can you play with it a little to change the values on the fuel table for idle-speed rpm's right at start-up? that might solve your issues, or at least make them easier.

April 10th, 2012, 06:02 PM	#1
blink Always. Name: Alex Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.	Can you start when it's cold? Weird question... is there a rule when it comes to starting.../using your bike when it's cold out? I just got a job which requires me to start at 7:30, therefore in my city...not being very warm; let's assume it's anywhere from (with or without wind chill) -5....+5 so my question is, I have had troubles starting the bike in colder weather and had to either hold the throttle down (ever so slightly, maybe bring the revvs to 3000 only) is it okay to do this? I don't want the timing to slip or whatever problems could occur. Should I keep turning it over until it stays lit by itself? Is it okay to slightly apply throttle? And how long should i wait after starting it? I have an electronic temp guage so it says --- for a few seconds or until the bike hits 20 degrees then it indicates 20...which is I guess when it warms up. BTW i have a gixxer so it's FI I know the rule for cars at least is (only mechanics know this...) 30 seconds is all you need for the oil to warm up, but i figured it'd still ask. **For those who are confused or don't want to read** How should I go about starting my bike when it is cold? Can I apply a slight bit of throttle? And how long should I wait before I take off? (my temp is indicated in digital numbers, so starts at 20 degrees and go up to about 100 when very hot out) __________________________________________________ blink-182

April 10th, 2012, 06:17 PM	#2
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	It's fuel injected and it won't stay going in the cold? __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

April 10th, 2012, 09:08 PM	#4
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	@ajcadoo Fuel injection bro __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

April 10th, 2012, 10:35 PM	#6
tapdiggy Humble Observer Name: Truong Location: Augusta, Maine Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Yamaha XT250 Posts: 612	Hey Blink, how does your battery seem, charge-wise? Cold flats batteries and can make them struggle to get things moving. As far as warmup time, if the engine doesn't sound like an idling diesel, good to go. __________________________________________________ Everything I post is "IN MY HONEST OPINION". Why is "Parking Lot Enduro" not a thing?

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April 10th, 2012, 09:07 PM	#3
ajcadoo Towster ['__'`,-, Name: Josh Location: San Diego, CA Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Green Ninja 250 SE Posts: 379	I apply choke at about 2500RPM for 30secs-1min and then drive away as soon as I can throttle my bike to 6000RPM without it bogging down. I keep the choke on if I have any red lights that I may be idling at. I turn off the choke within 3-5 minutes, or when I know there wont be a stop for at least a mile.

April 10th, 2012, 10:30 PM	#5
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.	From what I've heard and seen, just start it, let it idle for 20-30 seconds, take off and ride her nice and easy until up to running temp, then do wheelies

April 12th, 2012, 02:48 PM	#8
Sigma.40 ninjette.org member Name: Alex Location: Traverse City, Michigan Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 "1000cc" ZX9R Posts: 194	I've ran my 08 ninja in as low as 20F. What I do is start it with full choke and when the rpms shoot up to 4000 (about 30 seconds) I turn the choke down so its idling at 2000 and ride away. I turn the choke off after about 1-1.5 miles. Not sure if this is the right way but its worked for me so far.

April 12th, 2012, 04:13 PM	#10
gilmorec61 ninjette.org guru Name: Chris Location: Newnan, G.A. Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 347	Are you talking about your Ninja or your Gixxer? If there both FI they should just run.

April 12th, 2012, 05:03 PM	#12
Csmith9 ninjette.org member Name: Codi Location: Moose Jaw, Sk, Canada Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Ninja 250 Posts: 76	pfft, FI FTL hahaha my 03 Ninja starts up no problems when its cold out, and I experience equally as cold of weather. It makes my friends jealous how well my bike starts on colder days.

April 13th, 2012, 07:21 AM	#14
gilmorec61 ninjette.org guru Name: Chris Location: Newnan, G.A. Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 347	Yeah, you shouldnt be having to do anything except hit the starter button with it being FI. Like he^ said, check out a gixxer forum, they'll be able to help you more than we can

April 13th, 2012, 07:35 AM	#15
extremez31 ninjette.org member Name: Rich Location: New Jersey Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 94 EX250, 81 GS450 Posts: 67	Not necessarily true, my old bike was a 2002 Fuel Injected 750 which had a choke for warm ups. The bike would start and die unless the choke was set to 2k rpm or higher. soooo start the bike and give it a little rpms between 1000-2000 especially when its cold out. Your oil is cold and causes the motor to work more to pump it. Once the bike reaches 50 degrees or so it should idle on its own. This is entirely based on my experience with the ducati.

April 13th, 2012, 03:16 PM	#17
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	I think a PowerCommander, some research on a GSXR forum, and some experienced help might be necessary.

April 14th, 2012, 01:01 PM	#19
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Hmm can you play with it a little to change the values on the fuel table for idle-speed rpm's right at start-up? that might solve your issues, or at least make them easier.