My Thumpinator, my hero in so many ways, revealed a weakness this morning - he does not like to start in the cold.  It was 29 F today and he cranked over and over, many times, before he finally agreed to get me on my way to work.  With choke, without choke, this made no difference - he did not want to start.  Finally, he started.  It seemd as though he didn't want to fire.  (sound:  er, er er, er er, er er)

Any suggestions?  This is a stock 2006 S40, 5660 miles.  He sleeps in the garage, but the garage is not heated.

Thanks.
Ride safe,
Amy

Is anyone firing up a car at about the same time?  Heat from the car's exhaust can warm up the heart of your thumpinator.

Everyone should know how to push start their bike.

My technique is a combination of pushing and electric start.

Push it up as fast as your little legs encombered with boots, leggings, pants, jacket, helmet, and gloves will go.  
Hop on, pick the appropriate gear (for me it's 1st) push button for electric start, let out clutch after a rev or 2.  Hope it starts before it stops.

Pushing the button activates the decomp and gets the engine turning so that when you let out the clutch momentum takes over for the starter.  That is if you still have all of the safety's in place.  Starter will automatic shutoff when the clutch is let out, just remember to let go of the button before pulling the clutch back in.

There are other techniques

Verslagen, yes I can pop-start it, and did it two weeks ago when I left my keys in the bike.   But I'd rather not do that throughout the winter, fun though it is.

Serowbot and Yonuh Adisi - thanks, maybe a battery charger is in order...also he is due for an oil change and I will go to the thinner oil.  

Many thanks all for the help.  No fun, all bundled up, reuseable gel heater packs in pockets, and nowhere to go! :'(

Ride safe (and warm),
Amy

I'd suggest either getting the battery checked or if it has some age (and has been discharged) just replacing it.

If you don't ride as much in the winter, a battery tender is a good investment.

If that doesn't do the trick, start checking connections.
Last and pretty far behind, there might be a problem with the enrichener.

Let us know how it turns out. The savage isn't really a cold-blooded beast; it should fire right up.

You guys are the best.

Dave and mornhm - yes, I sure did discharge the entire battery two weeks ago, and it is the original battery.  Although this is an '06, I bought it used this year with 1100 miles on it and have put the other 5500 on it since July.  I like to ride.  So if I have screwed up the original battery, maybe it's time for a new one.

Alittlebird - yes, as a child we had a Beetle that my dad had to roll down a hill every morning to pop start.  It really does work with the bike too.  I didn't have to push the start button, just let out the clutch and gave it some throttle (I think...it's been two weeks...trying to remember what I did)

At any rate, Thump is in the shop now.  I stopped for gas yesterday and had no noise out of the starter at all.  I wiggled the handlebars and then the starter worked perfectly.  Maybe a short?  I don't know if the two problems are related....in any case, I threw myself at the mercy of the repair dudes, who are excellent.  *counting money in wallet*

Thanks again for all the good tips.
Be safe everyone.
Amy