Spring start-up

[15wannabe]

Just brought the bike out of hibernation....hasn't run since Oct 15' 15, and I am happy to report, the ES started right up, after only 2 or 3 crankshaft rotations. What a relief, I gotta say. My earlier FJRs (04 and 07) were terrible to get going after a long cold winter layoff in an unheated garage... a major hassle in fact. I'd say for sure, they got the fuel injection system perfect on this one ! Everyone else with the new Gen. finding the same?

 

[Ignacio]

Everyone else with the new Gen. finding the same?

I found my '05, my other '05, and '14 to start just fine after a few winter months off.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Mine always starts fine. But then I have no hibernation period. I rarely go more than 3 days without starting it.

 

[900gc]

My '08 has only ever gone about 2 months w/o running. Topped up the battery a couple times during idle time, fired right up like it just ran yesterday. The only time I had starting issue struggles was with the old battery at end of life, when it got in the 30's, it cranked slow and didn't want to light off readily. Maybe your batts. weren't up to snuff in the old bikes?

 

[15wannabe]

My '08 has only ever gone about 2 months w/o running. Topped up the battery a couple times during idle time, fired right up like it just ran yesterday. The only time I had starting issue struggles was with the old battery at end of life, when it got in the 30's, it cranked slow and didn't want to light off readily. Maybe your batts. weren't up to snuff in the old bikes?

Hey 900, we live up here in the interior of BC and we get a real winter. The "batts" were all good, as I've always been a stickler about proper maintenance. Still, it's a fair comment on your part. In my case, both my previous feejers were bought new, and they always gave me grief come spring start up. Fact of the matter is, it was a commonly recognized issue in the old days, in cold climates after a loooong lay off. The bikes would initially catch, then the spark would be snuffed out by too much fuel being delivered....classic flooding condition. I did manage to get around it eventually by first applying a heating pad to the oil pan, as well as blowing hot air thru the radiator from a portable ceramic heater whilst the bike covered. After six or so hours,this fooled the sensors , kinda summer like ha ha. Still, what a ritual to have to go thru. Anyways, after that it was all good, until the next spring.

This time around with the '15 ES, I just knew, given all the improvements to the bikes electronics, new computer code etc, that I would probably be okay with a wretched cold start...I had faith u might say. Started like a dream...whew!

 

[DezzertRider]

Spring Start-up? What's that?

 

[900gc]

My '08 has only ever gone about 2 months w/o running. Topped up the battery a couple times during idle time, fired right up like it just ran yesterday. The only time I had starting issue struggles was with the old battery at end of life, when it got in the 30's, it cranked slow and didn't want to light off readily. Maybe your batts. weren't up to snuff in the old bikes?

Hey 900, we live up here in the interior of BC and we get a real winter. The "batts" were all good, as I've always been a stickler about proper maintenance. Still, it's a fair comment on your part. In my case, both my previous feejers were bought new, and they always gave me grief come spring start up. Fact of the matter is, it was a commonly recognized issue in the old days, in cold climates after a loooong lay off. The bikes would initially catch, then the spark would be snuffed out by too much fuel being delivered....classic flooding condition. I did manage to get around it eventually by first applying a heating pad to the oil pan, as well as blowing hot air thru the radiator from a portable ceramic heater whilst the bike covered. After six or so hours,this fooled the sensors , kinda summer like ha ha. Still, what a ritual to have to go thru. Anyways, after that it was all good, until the next spring.

This time around with the '15 ES, I just knew, given all the improvements to the bikes electronics, new computer code etc, that I would probably be okay with a wretched cold start...I had faith u might say. Started like a dream...whew!

"....classic flooding condition." That happened to me on a few occasions in cold weather with my old original battery but the new Motobatt seems to have cured that issue with the stronger cranking. I would be surprised to hear if the GEN 3's would ever have this happen with all the changes like you said.

 

[Bill Lumberg]

If mine has gone more than a day without being ridden, there's snow on the ground (a very rare occurrence where I live) or I'm in another city or state in an agency or rental vehicle. So no problems starting. But even simpler machines, like lawnmowers, leafblowers, etc., start fine in the spring if they're started once a month or so during the winter. I have an old airhead that I only start every other month in the winter. It does fine too. YMMV. Not sure it's the same in the arctic.

 

[Tommy Kay]

Spring Start-up? What's that?

I have trouble understanding it too. I am a little up north. I still get my bikes out on any day I am off that gets a little way above freezing.

 

[FJRPittsburgh]

Never had a bad Spring startup experience with either of my '08 AE's. Starts up without issue. I do use a float charger on the battery occasionally thorough the cold Winter months. This year was an exception as I've ridden every month.