To choke or not to choke?

Greyfox · May 9th, 2012, 10:45 AM

I own a 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Carb version.
I always start her up early in the morning without turning the choke on and the engine seems to run fine and starts up without fail.

My question is...
Would it be better if I turn on the choke?
Or would you say that using the choke function is always the best way to start a cold engine in the morning?
Or just start the engine normally without using the choke?

What would you advice?

Thanks in advance and sorry for the noob question.

Stingray1000 · May 9th, 2012, 10:47 AM

Don't use the choke...... It makes the engine run at higher rpm's even if jsut for a second.... Choke is for cold weather starting....

Stingray1000 · May 9th, 2012, 10:48 AM

Side not: When I saw the topic of this thread I thought some kid was sitting at his computer staring at internet pron wondering what to do... LOL

csmith12 · May 9th, 2012, 10:49 AM

Naw, don't use it if you don't need it.

I am here for jokes that will soon follow.

cbdallas · May 9th, 2012, 10:57 AM

If it'll start & run reasonably well without it, skip the choke.

250rr · May 9th, 2012, 11:43 AM

My motto is: when in doubt, choke.

Stingray1000 · May 9th, 2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250rr

My motto is: when in doubt, choke.

Mark, Stay away from the xhamster! LOL

NDspd · May 9th, 2012, 11:56 AM

That's weird, because it can be 65F+ where I live in the morning. I almost always have to add a little choke to warm her up or she dies with any throttle. After about 30 seconds to 1 minute I turn it off and she's generally fine. Should I just leave it off and let her warm up naturally?

choneofakind · May 9th, 2012, 11:59 AM

Choke is there for starting. Use it if needed. If it starts, idles, and responds to throttle quicker and easier with choke, use choke.

If it starts better without choke, don't use the choke. All completely dependent on the bike. A blanket answer of yes or no to, "should I use the choke" doesn't mean a thing.

All I'm saying is, the choke is there for a reason; to make starting easier. It's not necessary, but if it makes starting easier, use it...

Stingray1000 · May 9th, 2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Choke is there for starting. Use it if needed. If it starts, idles, and responds to throttle quicker and easier with choke, use choke.

If it starts better without choke, don't use the choke. All completely dependent on the bike. A blanket answer of yes or no to, "should I use the choke" doesn't mean a thing.

All I'm saying is, the choke is there for a reason; to make starting easier. It's not necessary, but if it makes starting easier, use it...

If I remember correctly and I could be wrong if you have to use to much choke to get the bike started, the petcock needs to be cleaned or replaced correct?

choneofakind · May 9th, 2012, 12:13 PM

I've never heard of anything like that...

If you tune your mix screws properly for a warm bike, the bike will be capable of choke-less cold starts, but it will still start more easily and idle smoothly at about 2k with about 1/2 choke. After a minute, the bike will accept throttle, and you can ride off, turning the choke off when you notice the bike bogging a touch. Once it comes the rest of the way up to temp, you can run the bike as squidly as you want at the redline

Miles_Prower · May 9th, 2012, 12:17 PM

I never thought about this, but I've been turning my bike on, if it was idling really rough and low, i'd bump the choke up a bit, though sometimes the bike will shut off if i turn the choke up too much. Is that normal? Is it just getting too much fuel? I guess from now on I'll just let it idle w/o choke until it's warmed.

cbdallas · May 9th, 2012, 12:29 PM

Rough and low is pretty normal for a totally cold Ninjette. All 4 of mine acted the same way. In the mornings, I put the choke somewhere between 1/3 & 1/2, fire it up, and adjust it as necessary to achieve 2500 rpms, let it run like that for a couple of minutes, and it's usually good to go. Ride away with the choke on, and turn it off during the ride.

When the engine starts to warm, it'll be less willing to run right with the choke on. It should be turned off well before this starts to happen.

Miles_Prower · May 9th, 2012, 12:56 PM

ahhh got it, that clears things up greatly. thank you for this info!!

Greyfox · May 9th, 2012, 08:03 PM

THANK YOU for all the replies guys and for helping a noob out

May 9th, 2012, 10:45 AM	#1
Greyfox ninjette.org member Name: Warren Location: Asia Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 23	To choke or not to choke? I own a 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Carb version. I always start her up early in the morning without turning the choke on and the engine seems to run fine and starts up without fail. My question is... Would it be better if I turn on the choke? Or would you say that using the choke function is always the best way to start a cold engine in the morning? Or just start the engine normally without using the choke? What would you advice? Thanks in advance and sorry for the noob question.

May 9th, 2012, 10:47 AM	#2
Stingray1000 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jon Location: Newark, De Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Don't use the choke...... It makes the engine run at higher rpm's even if jsut for a second.... Choke is for cold weather starting.... __________________________________________________ http://www.facebook.com/groups/DeMdNjPagrouprides/ I live my life a quarter mile at a time! Who is affraid of the big bad jiggles???? LOL

May 9th, 2012, 10:48 AM	#3
Stingray1000 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jon Location: Newark, De Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Side not: When I saw the topic of this thread I thought some kid was sitting at his computer staring at internet pron wondering what to do... LOL __________________________________________________ http://www.facebook.com/groups/DeMdNjPagrouprides/ I live my life a quarter mile at a time! Who is affraid of the big bad jiggles???? LOL

May 9th, 2012, 10:49 AM	#4
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Naw, don't use it if you don't need it. I am here for jokes that will soon follow. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

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May 9th, 2012, 10:57 AM	#5
cbdallas ninjette.org guru Name: Charlie Location: Wylie, TX Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317	If it'll start & run reasonably well without it, skip the choke.

May 9th, 2012, 11:43 AM	#6
250rr ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Mark Location: Portland Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): Cheap Italian Suit. Otherwise known as Dew Kitty Posts: A lot.	My motto is: when in doubt, choke.

May 9th, 2012, 11:56 AM	#8
NDspd 1/4 English, 3/4 Kick Ass Name: Jeremy Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Triumph Speed Triple 955i, '05 Suzuki SV650S(retired), '11 Ninja 250R(sold) Posts: A lot.	That's weird, because it can be 65F+ where I live in the morning. I almost always have to add a little choke to warm her up or she dies with any throttle. After about 30 seconds to 1 minute I turn it off and she's generally fine. Should I just leave it off and let her warm up naturally?

May 9th, 2012, 11:59 AM	#9
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Choke is there for starting. Use it if needed. If it starts, idles, and responds to throttle quicker and easier with choke, use choke. If it starts better without choke, don't use the choke. All completely dependent on the bike. A blanket answer of yes or no to, "should I use the choke" doesn't mean a thing. All I'm saying is, the choke is there for a reason; to make starting easier. It's not necessary, but if it makes starting easier, use it...

May 9th, 2012, 12:13 PM	#11
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	I've never heard of anything like that... If you tune your mix screws properly for a warm bike, the bike will be capable of choke-less cold starts, but it will still start more easily and idle smoothly at about 2k with about 1/2 choke. After a minute, the bike will accept throttle, and you can ride off, turning the choke off when you notice the bike bogging a touch. Once it comes the rest of the way up to temp, you can run the bike as squidly as you want at the redline

May 9th, 2012, 12:17 PM	#12
Miles_Prower One Loyal Fox Name: Rahul Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R (RIP), 2011 ZX-6R Posts: 869	I never thought about this, but I've been turning my bike on, if it was idling really rough and low, i'd bump the choke up a bit, though sometimes the bike will shut off if i turn the choke up too much. Is that normal? Is it just getting too much fuel? I guess from now on I'll just let it idle w/o choke until it's warmed.

May 9th, 2012, 12:29 PM	#13
cbdallas ninjette.org guru Name: Charlie Location: Wylie, TX Join Date: Nov 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 650R Posts: 317	Rough and low is pretty normal for a totally cold Ninjette. All 4 of mine acted the same way. In the mornings, I put the choke somewhere between 1/3 & 1/2, fire it up, and adjust it as necessary to achieve 2500 rpms, let it run like that for a couple of minutes, and it's usually good to go. Ride away with the choke on, and turn it off during the ride. When the engine starts to warm, it'll be less willing to run right with the choke on. It should be turned off well before this starts to happen.

May 9th, 2012, 12:56 PM	#14
Miles_Prower One Loyal Fox Name: Rahul Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250R (RIP), 2011 ZX-6R Posts: 869	ahhh got it, that clears things up greatly. thank you for this info!!

May 9th, 2012, 08:03 PM	#15
Greyfox ninjette.org member Name: Warren Location: Asia Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 23	THANK YOU for all the replies guys and for helping a noob out