[rowcoach]

What is the deal with cold temps below 40 and coughing and sputtering until warmed up? Also it won't start without having a charger hooked up. It just cranks until the battery is dead. With the trickle charger on all night it starts right up. Any body else see issues like this. It is a new battery this spring and I drive with the choke on.

 

[smilie]

What is the deal with cold temps below 40 and coughing and sputtering until warmed up? Also it won't start without having a charger hooked up. It just cranks until the battery is dead. With the trickle charger on all night it starts right up. Any body else see issues like this. It is a new battery this spring and I drive with the choke on.

Why do you drive with the choke on? You shouldn't have to do that. My 02 vlx was cold blooded in the winter. I always had to choke until warm, but once warm, would take throttle just fine. Run some seafoam through it and see if that cleans up your carb.

 

[Old Dad]

Below 40*f yep the vlx is a cold beast, but pull the choke out all the way, push the start button, give NO throttle, within a mile of riding it should be warmed up enough not to need the choke. At least that's what works for mine.

 

[Last_Bastion]

For mine I haven't had too much trouble getting it going. I just pull the choke, give it a little gas, then hit the start and let her warm up for about 10-15 min and then it's good to go.

 

[rowcoach]

That is what I'm doing now. I was just curious if I had an issue or this is typical of the vlx. Has anybody tried higher octane fuel in cold weather?

 

[smilie]

That is what I'm doing now. I was just curious if I had an issue or this is typical of the vlx. Has anybody tried higher octane fuel in cold weather?

Save your money. Cold is cold and warming it up is your solution. Don't feed it throttle until your choke is off.

 

[rowcoach]

Thats what I figured.

 

[Menhir]

Just like the others: No problem in the winter cold with my VLX.
I start it with the choke on, let it warm up, and off I go.
It may run a bit rough at first when it's cold and I'll leave the choke on for a block or so...just to the end of my street...but them I'm good to go.

One thing I've noticed: It get's going a lot more smoothy after the valves are adjusted. If I recall, it's supposed to be done, by the book, every 8K miles.

I usually go over that a bit and have the adjustment done once per year during late winter/early spring when the dealer is not backed up. Then I know I'm good for the summer.

When I bring it back home after the adjustment, it starts and run noticeably smoother.

Have you been keeping up with the valve adjustments?

 

[sta18ff]

Mine is cold-blooded also. I have to leave it on the charger as well or it drains the battery after a few tries starting. I base my riding temperatures on whether or not I can get the bike to start. So far 19 degrees is the lowest I've ridden to work, although that was with a slightly clogged slow jet in one carb. Might be able to get it started at even lower temp this year since carbs were cleaned and upped from a 40 to a 42 jet.

 

[7xclm]

Turn on key. Pull choke. Press start button. Push choke back in slowly until it runs smoother. Get on bike. Start down street. As soon as possible push choke all the way back in. Enjoy the ride.

 

[Giannishreds]

My Shadow is constantly on the tender. After starting with choke, I back off after 3-4 minutes and let it warm up for at least 10 more before taking off.