Choke on a 695

[TightLines]

As some of you may have read I recently picked up a very lightly (740 miles) used 2007 695.  Unless the bike is warm I have to choke it 100% percent of the time to get it turned over and then let it idle for a few minutes before I can back of the choke.

Is this normal or is there any simple (read new to motorcycles) adjustment I can make to rid the bike of this problem?

I tried a quick search and didn't come up with much.

All input is appreciated and thanks in advance. [moto]

[JBubble]

That's normal operation.

Use the fast idle lever (its not really a true choke lever), then adjust that lever to the point where the engine isn't stumbling, let the engine warm up so its not flashing "Low" any more on the dash, then turn off the fast idle and hop on.

Though I usually take off before the engine is completely warmed up and keep the idle lever open just enough so that I don't stall out at lights. I take it easy until the bike is up to temp. I don't believe it hurts much as long as you're not thrashing it.

[TightLines]

This makes sense.  Seeing as the bike is fuel injected that would imply that it does not have a choke.  Is this right?

Anyone else have a take on riding with the lever partially engaged?

[accrocker]

There is no real negative to running with the fast idle lever partially engaged. All it is doing is slighty cracking open the throttle plates to keep the engine at a higher rpm to facilitate warm up. Riding with it partially engaged is the same as never quite fully rolling off the throttle. On my bike the only effect I notice is backfiring on deceleration. One possible fix for your poor running on cold start up is either the Fat-Duc oxygen sensor manipulator (motowheels.com carries it) or you can wire in a 0-500 ohm variable resistor into the oxygen sensor signal line and adjust the signal that way. Either way will have the ecu provide a little more fuel to the engine, and will improve cold starting 100%. This is probably the best modification I have done.

[TightLines]

There is no real negative to running with the fast idle lever partially engaged. All it is doing is slighty cracking open the throttle plates to keep the engine at a higher rpm to facilitate warm up. Riding with it partially engaged is the same as never quite fully rolling off the throttle. On my bike the only effect I notice is backfiring on deceleration. One possible fix for your poor running on cold start up is either the Fat-Duc oxygen sensor manipulator (motowheels.com carries it) or you can wire in a 0-500 ohm variable resistor into the oxygen sensor signal line and adjust the signal that way. Either way will have the ecu provide a little more fuel to the engine, and will improve cold starting 100%. This is probably the best modification I have done.

haha, sounds like rocket science to me.  I'm thinking that cracking the fast idle lever slightly while city driving might also help some of my other issues.  Seems like the bike has to be in first if you do anything under 15, if not it just seems to bog down.  I'm used to a casual second gear for everything BUT moving from a start.

[JBubble]

haha, sounds like rocket science to me.  I'm thinking that cracking the fast idle lever slightly while city driving might also help some of my other issues.  Seems like the bike has to be in first if you do anything under 15, if not it just seems to bog down.  I'm used to a casual second gear for everything BUT moving from a start.

A change in gearing might help your city riding if you're bogging down. A cheap mod is a 14 tooth front sprocket. The more expensive mod is to change the rear sprocket.

[Scotzman]

A change in gearing might help your city riding if you're bogging down. A cheap mod is a 14 tooth front sprocket. The more expensive mod is to change the rear sprocket.

+1 on fixing that issue.

[Scotzman]

I need the lever open to start my bike as well. I'll leave it open while putting my gear on and checking the bike, but close it when riding per the owners manual. I'll just take it easy until it's warmed up.
I think you lose some top end power with the 14 tooth sprocket though, but pending what type of riding you do, this could be beneficial.

[Howie]

The warning about riding with the fast idle lever on is like the warning about clock radios and bathtubs.  As the bike warms up the idle speed will increase, possibly creating a dangerous situation if you forget to back the lever off as the bike warms.  Me, I'd ride, then again, I grew up with cars that had manual chokes and a time when there were less safety warnings.

[TightLines]

I'll certainly have to look into the 14 tooth sprocket mod as I have heard it recommended often for monsters and other bikes.

I'm also thinking the idle on the bike could be a bit low. I'm not sure of where it idled when warm off the top of my head but I will check tonight.

Where does yours/should the bike be idling without the lever engaged?

[herm]

I need the lever open to start my bike as well. I'll leave it open while putting my gear on and checking the bike, but close it when riding per the owners manual. I'll just take it easy until it's warmed up.
I think you lose some top end power with the 14 tooth sprocket though, but pending what type of riding you do, this could be beneficial.

true, but we are talking about the very illegal end of the speedo here, so unless you have a get out of jail free card......

[tristantumble]

Where does yours/should the bike be idling without the lever engaged?

my 695 idles around 1100rpm once the engine is warm

[64duc]

The warning about riding with the fast idle lever on is like the warning about clock radios and bathtubs.  As the bike warms up the idle speed will increase, possibly creating a dangerous situation if you forget to back the lever off as the bike warms.  Me, I'd ride, then again, I grew up with cars that had manual chokes and a time when there were less safety warnings.

 





  Back when people were expected to take responsibility for their actions.

[somegirl]

Anyone else have a take on riding with the lever partially engaged?

I do it that way all the time, no problems after 20k miles on the bike.

[Scotzman]

true, but we are talking about the very illegal end of the speedo here, so unless you have a get out of jail free card......

How much is lost? I haven't gone to a 14 yet because I do a lot of freeway riding and didn't want to be stuck with 90 65 as my max.