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Cold Weather Starting, PRI etc...

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  • #1

    Cold Weather Starting, PRI etc...

    So I picked up my new 2002 Katana the other day. FYI- I live in Minnesota... When the dropped it off we tried to start it and there was no way it was starting. The engine block was about 30 degrees. Anyhow the guy told me that Katana's don't like the cold very much. After letting it sit in a heated garage for about 5 hours, I came back and tried to start it again. She gave me hell... I tired full choke no throttle, then full choke little throttle. After about 5 tries it almost wanted to fire. Finally once more and she started up. It took a while for it to warm up....like it would stick at about 4k RPM's. Once it warmed up it purred like a kitten and ran smooth all through the RPM's.

    Later that day I noticed something called "PRI", which I don't remember seeing on any of my previous bikes. I did some searching on this forum and found that you should put the switch to PRI for about 5 seconds before starting (if the bike has not been run in a while).

    Can someone fill me in on how to properly start this bad boy in the freezing weather? Should I start it once every couple weeks in the winter, or just let her sit till spring?

    Thanks!!!
    Tags: None
  • #2
    pri stands for prime. its to fill the float bowls if the bikes been sitting a while. to start mine I put it on full choke and leave the throttle closed. if its cold it takes a couple tries before it will stay running. they are cold natured though.

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    • #3
      When is spring??

      I switch to PRI count to 10 then switch it back..
      Mainly because I don't want to forget and leave it in PRI...

      If you are keeping the bike stored for more than a few months, I would go ahead and winterize it.
      Do a search and you should find the latest suggestions for that. Starting and running it with out a healthy ride may do more harm than good..

      Fouling plugs, the gas will go stale, the oil may gunkup etc...

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      • #4
        Well you have to figure I can get her out for a little ride in March April time frame. That means it's only going to sit for 2 months. Crossing my fingers.

        OK, it sounds like she would have started right up if I would have known about the PRI the other day.

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        • #5
          remember:

          * gas goes "bad" after 30 days..
          *only use choke to start it. After it starts use the throttle.
          (this will help prevent plug fouling)
          *change the oil in the spring

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          • #6
            I thought gas had a 60 day shelf life. That's what it says on the Stabil bottle.

            I didn't fully winterize. I've got a battery tender on order (finally) and I've got Stabil in the tank. Every two weeks I go out and start her up and let her run for about 20 minutes. In the spring I'll change the oil and probably the brake fluid.
            Pain is just weakness leaving the body.
            -Unknown Author

            The quarrels of lovers are the renewal of love.
            -Terence

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            • #7
              Originally posted by brooder
              I thought gas had a 60 day shelf life. That's what it says on the Stabil bottle.
              I could be wrong...
              It has happened.

              I never have to worry about it.
              So.....

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              • #8
                Thanks again...

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                • #9
                  60 from date of production -- which might be 30 days from the day you pumped it, depending on where you live and how often the gas station gets more. The weather plays into it heavily, as does the actual gasoline formulation -- and even the fact that the gas tank on the non-California Katana's is vented to the real world (permits evaporation of lighter compounds).

                  Cheers,
                  =-= The CyberPoet
                  Remember The CyberPoet

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by brooder
                    I thought gas had a 60 day shelf life. That's what it says on the Stabil bottle.

                    I didn't fully winterize. I've got a battery tender on order (finally) and I've got Stabil in the tank. Every two weeks I go out and start her up and let her run for about 20 minutes. In the spring I'll change the oil and probably the brake fluid.
                    i thought you werent supposed to idle at a stand still for more than 5-10 minutes without risk of over heating? i know if im sitting in my car on my bike more than 5 minutes i shut it down.
                    03 katanika

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by iwannadie
                      i thought you werent supposed to idle at a stand still for more than 5-10 minutes without risk of over heating? i know if im sitting in my car on my bike more than 5 minutes i shut it down.
                      A lot of it depends on ambient temps and where you are... Sitting for 5 minutes in Mesa AZ in 114 degree summer heat after riding several miles really strains it, but idling from a cold start in 30 degree weather would probably take 20 minutes just to hit full ideal temp (212 degrees F, 100 degrees C), and when moving, it'd probably sink off from there.

                      Cheers,
                      =-= The CyberPoet
                      Remember The CyberPoet

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                      • #12
                        Remember to, to check the spark plugs.. depending on when they were changed last that can affect your starting as well what the others mentioned.

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                        • #13
                          So do you guys have the sticky 4000 RPM deal when your bikes have not been started for a while? What I mean is after about 2 minutes I tried to rev it a little. It did not want to get past 3500-4000 RPM. Like it kind of cut out and would not get past that till it warmed up...

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                          • #14
                            Alot of kats are like that..when they are cold, you really need to choke it and let it run like that for about 30 seconds, then take the choke off and let it idle for about another 30 seconds or so and by then you're normally all set unless. That normally does the trick. But when its been sitting for awhile, u can let it warm up alittle while longer..but be careful,..continued prolonged idle can foul plugs and carbs too.

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                            • #15
                              I haven't owned my Katana long but, On my Kawasaki if it is past time for a valve adjust it would get real hard to start cold but would start fine warm.
                              I'm not sure if the Kat acts the same or not. One thing is for sure "Tight valves is a real bad thing"
                              Darren Drennan
                              Alexander, Arkansas
                              06 Katana 750


                              http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Katana_Riders/

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