SuzukiSavage.com - More than one position on the Choke?

Andy RN Full Member Offline Posts: 107 Eugene, OR Gender:	More than one position on the Choke? 05/12/17 at 14:10:29 Forgive me if this question has already been answered - I did a search but found no results... It seems like there are multiple positions into which I can pull out the Choke - is that correct? If so, why, and when would I use the different positions rather than just pulling it all the way out? Thanks!
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28884 L.A. California Gender:	Re: More than one position on the Choke? Reply #1 - 05/12/17 at 14:17:10 Use the one that works for you. I generally only go to the 1st notch, but on really cold days, full.
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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Online SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 18094 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: More than one position on the Choke? Reply #2 - 05/12/17 at 14:17:42 Yes, it has multiple positions. You can pull it all the way out to start the bike (if you need to), then push it in a notch as it warms up....the push it all the way in when the bike will idle smoothly. Just do whatever works for you.....if you don't ride in freezing weather you may never need to use Full Choke.
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TheNaughtyLemur Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 69 Carlsbad, CA Gender:	Re: More than one position on the Choke? Reply #3 - 05/12/17 at 14:35:33 Each bike is different. Mine doesn't like any choke.
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Andy RN Full Member Offline Posts: 107 Eugene, OR Gender:	Re: More than one position on the Choke? Reply #4 - 05/12/17 at 14:40:29 Great... thanks. On my bike, I usually have to pull it all the way out, otherwise it gets prematurely "sucked" back in while I'm riding. Does that happen to you guys too?
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Tocsik

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Re: More than one position on the Choke?
Reply #5 - 05/12/17 at 14:56:15

Yep, mine will get pulled in sometimes if it's only out to the first notch. For the first ride of the morning my bike runs better to leave a little choke on for a few minutes. Amount of time depends on the ambient temps. I generally even give it a little choke for the afternoon ride home from work, too. But just to get it started if it's over 60 degrees or so. Don't generally need any choke if it's in the 80's or higher.

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piedmontbuckeye

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Re: More than one position on the Choke?
Reply #6 - 05/12/17 at 16:02:06

Mine requires full out for starting and when really cold (between 30 & 40) I have to leave it there for a minute or so, then push in to 3rd position for another few minutes then push in to 2nd position for about 3 miles and full in when fully warmed up after about 10 miles.

When 40 to 50, full out for about 5 secs, then 3rd pos, for another minute then 2nd after 1 mile, and full in after 2 miles.

Always need full choke when starting first time, but never after that unless it fully cools down.

I do find, however that the "surging" (from being tuned so lean) will mostly go away at 1st choke position so sometimes I run it that way!

Just found out today, that I am getting right around 60 MPG.

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Jarhead-CO Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 79 Muncy, Pa Gender:	Re: More than one position on the Choke? Reply #7 - 05/12/17 at 16:13:47 Mine starts right up with no choke at 60 plus.
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Andy RN

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Re: More than one position on the Choke?
Reply #8 - 05/12/17 at 16:52:26

It's interesting to see all the variation between riders. I have always pulled my choke out to it's fullest position, and after 5 years of riding, I never think twice about it...

But then I read something like this and it frightens me:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1342319094/7#7

I hope I haven't been damaging my piston.

My bike wouldn't start up, that's what prompted me to want to start taking it apart and try learning how to fix it... but reading over the forums is intense. I'm a little concerned that I'm in over my head... I read about guys like Dave fabricating their own tools, and I' feel like I'm way out of my league... I can't even understand half of what I'm reading:

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1367169463/17#17

But no fear! Gonna keep at this - even if I never get to the level where I can fix my bike. Worse comes to worse, I will buy another bike if I can't fix this one, and it will be a learning experience. I respect you guys a lot!

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Tocsik Serious Thumper Offline the singularity Posts: 1161 Denver, CO Gender:	Re: More than one position on the Choke? Reply #9 - 05/12/17 at 17:42:38 Don't try to fix stuff that isn't broke. Keep it running so you can ride it!
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eau de sauvage Serious Thumper Offline Posts: 2565 Queensland Gender:	Re: More than one position on the Choke? Reply #10 - 05/12/17 at 18:14:45 No choke needed here in QLD from 60F to 100F, idles starts at 950 rises to 1200 engine warms up.
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Gary_in_NJ Serious Thumper Offline LS650 Cafe Racer Posts: 2633 Amongst the Twisty Roads	Re: More than one position on the Choke? Reply #11 - 05/12/17 at 18:53:30 That's too low of an rpm. High idle should be around 2,000 and warm idle should be 1,400 to 1,500 rpm. Any lower and the oil pressure isn't high enough to provide adequate flow and to the cams.
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Re: More than one position on the Choke?
Reply #12 - 05/13/17 at 05:27:27

Andy RN wrote on 05/12/17 at 14:40:29:

Great... thanks. On my bike, I usually have to pull it all the way out, otherwise it gets prematurely "sucked" back in while I'm riding. Does that happen to you guys too?

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Are you saying you ride with the choke out? How long to keep it out?

On cold mornings I pull the choke out fully to start the bike. Once started I push it to the 1st position, we'll call that half-choke and start riding. I ride half-choke until the bike warms up enough to hold an idle or until I get to my first long stretch of road where I'll sustain a higher rpm. So I'm on full choke for just a few seconds and half-choke for less than a few minutes.

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Dave

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Re: More than one position on the Choke?
Reply #13 - 05/13/17 at 05:47:52

It does seem that there is a lot of variance in how each bike requires choke. My 2007 never needed the choke to start, and it always started immediately after a revolution or two.

The detent on the choke knob is plastic, and when new it holds the choke firmly in place in any position. As the plastic ages it can lose the ability to hold the Knob in the middle position....then later it can lose the ability to hold it out in any position. If your Knob won't stay in the middle position - it is wearing out.

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: More than one position on the Choke? Reply #14 - 05/13/17 at 06:48:49 The choke, which, technically Isn't a choke.. And the completely different ways each engine needs it, there just isn't any Rule for how to use it. And IF it's not perfect in its ways, won't Stay, whatever,, it's not a big deal. A clothes pin would probably solve the problem. Just get it to run and warm up and ride.
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