Don't touch the throttle...

KUTCH · 04-09-2009, 06:08 PM

Everyone always told me with the F650GS ('05) NEVER touch the throttle when starting...It always seemed to work. Cold, warm you name it, she started up without ever needing anything other than a push of the button.

A buddy of mine stopped over the other day, an avid 2-stroke moto-crosser.
I show him the new to me S and first thing he wants to do is start it up and listen to the mechanical music.

As always, first click and she fires immediately. And immediately after she fires he cranks the throttle. She immediately stalls...

Crank...Crank...Crank...Nothing.

I tell him that in no way shape or form, touch that throttle..."Not supposed to have to"...

After a few more sessions of cranking frustration, I just give in and give it a quick twist and BOOM...she fires right up.

So...You can give her a bit of fuel on occasion? Unlike the single 650s?

Kutch

markjenn · 04-09-2009, 06:42 PM

Most modern engines are set up to start with no throttle. When your buddy blipped the throttle it might have flooded the engine and you have to open the throttle to get enough air into the engine to purge the excess fuel when an engine is flooded.

Each engine can be a little different so there are no hard and fast rules.

I'd continue to start it "by the book" w/o throttle, but if it doesn't start, then open the throttle and see if this gets it to fire. Sometimes you're "in between" on temp too and this can cause it to be between the normal cold and warm starting regimens.

- Mark

squall_line · 04-09-2009, 07:56 PM

The S has an a fuel mixture "choke" lever on the left handlebar that is used for starting a cold engine or an engine in cold weather. The throttle is generally too sensitive to use as a starting aid...

markjenn · 04-09-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squall_line

The S has an a fuel mixture "choke" lever on the left handlebar that is used for starting a cold engine or an engine in cold weather. The throttle is generally too sensitive to use as a starting aid...

Don't know about the 1200, but I believe on the 1100, all the lever does is set a fast idle - fuel mixture is completely under computer control.

- Mark

SergioK · 04-09-2009, 09:30 PM

Correct.

I've also found that if I don't raise the lever a bit just a few seconds after initial startup, the engine will stall. I usually let it idle at around 1400rpm until I'm done putting my gloves on.

PFFOG · 04-10-2009, 04:41 AM

Especially when cool/cold, if the r11S starts and stalls in the first 10 seconds, I have to give it throttle to make it re-fire. Never tried, but I am sure it would crank for ever if I didn't. When it does restart it is also rich for a few seconds, and has to "clear its throat" while I feed a little throttle to maintain 1500 rpm or so, before it will settle into a nice idle.

Guest24 · 04-10-2009, 04:59 AM

I used to crack the cold start lever 1/2 and never really touched the grip. She would start on first hit. Than I'd sit there for a minute or so and let the oil get circulating and put her in gear. Yup that 4020 John Deer was just plain idiot proof.

BTW the same deal worked on my R11S.

OK, my 4020 didn't have a grip to twist.

DeltaNu1142 · 05:20 AM

Anytime I've twisted the throttle during/just after starting, it stalls the engine & drastically lengthens my starting process. Although it was standard practice with every motorcycle I've had before this one, I have never tried holding the throttle open while starting after flooding. On the S, I usually just crank it out, 10 - 15 seconds or so in a couple of intervals.

I only hit the throttle accidentally; but I always have to use the fast idle lever, due to a low warmed-up idle (900 rpm or so).

tim22 · 04-11-2009, 04:56 AM

On my '03 BCR I never touch the throttle before or while cranking. In the cold she cranks a little slower, but has always "lit." After making sure the choke (or throttle advance or whatever that lever on the left handle bar is) is all the way up, and maybe holding it there for a few seconds, and after a few seconds more when the engine comes up to RPM, I might blip the throttle a few times--just like 1/16 turn or so--. Then, I let it warm for maybe a minute and ride off with the throttle advance (or whatever that is) on for a minute or two more.

JonyRR · 04-11-2009, 07:51 AM

Hmm....you do realize these are komputr-controlled devices
'flooding' is a null signal to these.
In my opinion, if your state-of-tune is correct, you should be able to button-start and walk away without any throttle shenanagins.
When I disassembled my bowden box for maintenance I took the fast-idle cable out as I dont need it.
I light 'er off, open the throttle to 1500 rpm for about 5 seconds, let go and walk away; put my gear on and warmup is done....all in the state-of-tune.
In my opinion, having adaquate ignition events assists this (nology coils, wires and plugs...subjective? maybe. does it work? yes).
my $.02