Hitchcocks Forum

Saw lots & lots of recent postings re cold starting ideas started by TR6P's post that "as its fuel injected it has no choke". WHEN DID THEY STOP FITTING THEM? as my Electra EFi certainly had one (with 'choke' symbol) on l.h. handlebar switch. This cold start device,(o.k. its not exactly the same as a carb choke), was usually needed when first starting the bike in cold weather and on my fuel injected 750 Guzzi its normally necessary to use it from cold starts even in warm weather until it idles smoothly. I think its a fitment on many modern bikes, so may be the simple solution to your problems.
Mick

You've answered your own question, Mick! They stopped fitting them with fuel injection.
They are not needed, the "Choke" on modern fi bikes is simply a cold start devise to alter the
tickover at starting.

True; my 865 Thruxton also has a "choke. It is two-stage and should be used even when the engine is warm, on the lower setting. That will guarantee an immediate start; not using it is more hit and miss. I wouldn't say it's modern though, my old Beemers had a similar system introduced in 1993. A lot of bikes these days don't have a manual "choke" at all. The ECU enriches the mixture itself based on the info from various sensors.

Hi Netshrubby, as I tried to make it clear in my posting I am well aware that bike fuel injection systems do not employ a 'conventional choke' to aid cold starts. Having now looked in my fuel injected 2009 Moto Guzzi handbook it states "when starting in low ambient temperatures rotate the CHOKE lever" (& I believe the EFi Enfield I previously owned stated something similar) It is not just a device to increase idle speed, just try to keep the engine running at lower revs. with use of the throttle only!
Rattlebattle is exactly right re. these systems which other manufacturers have used for some years, & some continue to do so. The point I was trying to make is (assuming EFi Enfields still have this control) does TR6P realise this devise should be used when cold starting until it idles o.k.in cold weather! REgards, Mick