Always need choke to start

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  • motokid837
    • Jan 2026
    #1

    Always need choke to start

    I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but since I have gotten the bike up and running, very...very consistently I need the bike at least half choked to start. As the idle goes up I move the choke a little bit at a time down until it idles without choke. Is this completely normal? Or should it not really need the choke in this warmer weather? (This only happens from a cold start by the way)

    The bike also seems to run a lot better after its been ridden a few miles...once it is maybe 15 minutes into a ride and nice and hot, I feel as though acceleration is a lot smoother and it feels more quick too..

    Hope this isn't a silly question, thanks for your time anyway
    Tags: None
    • jbthomp
      #2
      Yes that is totally normal. You will always have to use choke to start it. I usually pull the choke all the way, start the engine and adjust the choke until the engine runs at 2000 or so while i put my helmet and jacket on. Then i will push the choke in until i get about 1500 rpm then drive away. About a half mile or so the engine will be warmed up enough to take the choke off all the way. I proceed to beat the **** out of it after that. Have fun and don't forget that old bike loves when you abuse it

        Comment

        • motokid837
          #3
          Originally posted by jbthomp
          Yes that is totally normal. You will always have to use choke to start it. I usually pull the choke all the way, start the engine and adjust the choke until the engine runs at 2000 or so while i put my helmet and jacket on. Then i will push the choke in until i get about 1500 rpm then drive away. About a half mile or so the engine will be warmed up enough to take the choke off all the way. I proceed to beat the **** out of it after that. Have fun and don't forget that old bike loves when you abuse it
          Thanks! Just making sure, and I think I might avoid beating the s*** out of it, It's my first bike and I need it to last my at least a couple of years!

            Comment

            • Rob S.
              Forum Guru
              Past Site Supporter
              • Dec 2013
              • 9387
              • New York City
              #4
              From the July 1982 Cycle World test of the 1100e:

              "...Suzukis as a group need a lot of choke fiddling during the first minute or two after startup. The engine starts immediately on full choke and then goes to about 4500-rpm-and-climbing unless the choke is quickly backed off about halfway. The bike can be ridden away on half choke and reduced to full off after about a minute of riding, in moderate temperature conditions."

              I turn my choke completely off before putting her in gear, and try to wait several minutes before creating real excitement. But sometimes I can't wait that long.
              1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

              2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                Comment

                • Guest
                  #5
                  Originally posted by Rob S.
                  From the July 1982 Cycle World test of the 1100e:

                  "...Suzukis as a group need a lot of choke fiddling during the first minute or two after startup. The engine starts immediately on full choke and then goes to about 4500-rpm-and-climbing unless the choke is quickly backed off about halfway. The bike can be ridden away on half choke and reduced to full off after about a minute of riding, in moderate temperature conditions."

                  I turn my choke completely off before putting her in gear, and try to wait several minutes before creating real excitement. But sometimes I can't wait that long.
                  Put down the Cycle World and slowly walk away.

                    Comment

                    • Rob S.
                      Forum Guru
                      Past Site Supporter
                      • Dec 2013
                      • 9387
                      • New York City
                      #6
                      Originally posted by chef1366
                      Put down the Cycle World and slowly walk away.
                      Playboy and Penthouse have some interesting articles. My Suzi's OK with that. When she catches me with Cycle World, all hell breaks loose:

                      "Do those pictures turn you on? Those bikes don't really look like that - they're all air-brushed."

                      Then:

                      "You know, I could wear a little bikini fairing like that. Would you like that?"
                      1982 GS1100E V&H "SS" exhaust, APE pods, 1150 oil cooler, 140 speedo, 99.3 rear wheel HP, black engine, '83 red

                      2016 XL883L sigpic Two-tone blue and white. Almost 42 hp! Status: destroyed, now owned by the insurance company. The hole in my memory starts an hour before the accident and ends 24 hours after.

                        Comment

                        • jbthomp
                          #7
                          Originally posted by Rob S.
                          Playboy and Penthouse have some interesting articles.
                          Keep telling yourself that.....

                            Comment

                            • cowboyup3371
                              Forum LongTimer
                              Past Site Supporter
                              • Apr 2010
                              • 13996
                              • In Ohio Now
                              #8
                              I'll start mine up after the helmet is on and before I put on my gloves; once the gloves are on the choke is off and I'm riding away
                              Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

                              1981 GS550T - My First
                              1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's - Now Sold
                              2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

                              Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
                              Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
                              and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"

                                Comment

                                • Guest
                                  #9
                                  The cycle world mag was written when the bikes were new and set up from the factory lean to meet the emissions. If you richen the bike up a little you will have faster warm ups and alot of times you may not need the choke to start. I start my bike when cold , say 50 degrees and the choke is off in less than a minute, and no choke at all over 70 degrees. I don't believe I am to rich either as I have good plug color and get between 46-50 mpg and that is on a 1000G

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