2003 Shadow vlx600 start/stop opinions

[jcart1590]

Thanks for all the replies.

I will definitely keep using the key to shut the bike off every time, but what does everyone think about keeping the petcock/gas valve open all the time?
1 person has told me to shut it off every time, most others say they never shut it off.

Thanks again.

[Tcspencer211]

I leave my petcock on all the time. I ride daily. The only time I close it is when I park in the garage, since my gas hot water heater is in the garage. Don't want gas fumes meeting the pilot light of the water heater. And if I'm going to park it for a long period of time I'll close it.

Tcspencer211

[akachile1]

I was taught in the motor cycle safety class the the "correct" way to start the bike was "FineC".
This stands for:

Fuel cut off switch
Ignition switch
Neutral
Engine cut off switch
Choke

Their reasoning for the fuel petcock is that if you have a carb malfunction, you could flood the cylinders with fuel.
I use the fuel cut-off, that way it is second nature when I "need" to find it to hit reserve.

I quit using the engine cut off switch. Their reasoning on that was so you would KNOW where it was in case of an emergency. You don't have to move your hands from the handle bars to cut the bike off.

As far as neutral goes, When my bike is cold, if I move it to neutral, it still "sticks". The first time I moved to neutral and had the clutch out and cranked the engine, it moved forward and I almost dropped my bike. If I rock the bike forward or backwards, it feels like it is in gear and then "breaks" free. If I start it with the clutch in, then I can release the clutch and it is ok.

I do not need the choke unless it is below 60 degrees. It is a learning curve to figure out how to choke at different tempertures. At 16 degrees, I go to full choke, crank it, fires up, try to feather the throttle and she dies!!! Repeat this several times until she keeps running then cut back on the choke a little.

You need to take the advice of everyone here and find out what works and makes sense to you. It is an evolving process with time and experience. I sometimes forget things like turning the fuel petcock on. I can get about 120 yards before she boogs down.

Start your own ritual, evolve it with time, ride your own ride and always ride safe.