[coyotewillie]

I've got an '06 800 Drifter I bought new this summer, and of course these are carburated. Moved the bike out of the garage yesterday while I did some work. It was only about 40 deg out, but sunny, so when I got done, thought I'd take a short ride and warm it up. No leathers, but insulated bibs and a winter coat, wasn't bad out. Anyway, let it warm up a bit in the driveway, drove about 1 1/2 mi to the local convenience store for a PowerBall ticket, then the long way back home. Bike was still sputtering during takeoffs at the lights. Does it (should it?) normally take that long for a carbed 800 to warm up? I would have thought with the initial warmup and drive to the store, it would be warmed up enough not to cut out like it was. Greg

 

[Sierra Vulcan]

Did you turn off the choke?

 

[Classic]

The carb'd vulcans are set very lean from the factory to help when they need to pass emissions testing and this makes them a pain to ride when the weather is cold. Once they warm up they're fine but it will take at least ten miles.

 

[fishbreath]

I've got an '06 800 Drifter I bought new this summer, and of course these are carburated. Moved the bike out of the garage yesterday while I did some work. It was only about 40 deg out, but sunny, so when I got done, thought I'd take a short ride and warm it up. No leathers, but insulated bibs and a winter coat, wasn't bad out. Anyway, let it warm up a bit in the driveway, drove about 1 1/2 mi to the local convenience store for a PowerBall ticket, then the long way back home. Bike was still sputtering during takeoffs at the lights. Does it (should it?) normally take that long for a carbed 800 to warm up? I would have thought with the initial warmup and drive to the store, it would be warmed up enough not to cut out like it was. Greg

My 800 is the same way and its a ***** to start.

 

[woodchucks800]

drilling out the cap on the bottom of the carb that covers the air/fuel mixture screw and then backing the screw out a 1/2 a turn will help with the problem.

 

[coyotewillie]

Got a pic for reference on the location/cap to drill out? I might give that a try. The older I get, the less I like to get cold. But I sure hate to give up riding to work every day until the snow flies. I've only got about 6 miles to work, so its probably going to be a little hard on it since it might not get warmed up decent too. Something I never really thought about till now, of course I guess it's not too easy on the truck every day either! Thanks. Greg

 

[Sierra Vulcan]

My wife rides a 02 800 vulcan an lets it warm up a good 5 minutes pre ride and it still dogs in the first block. It is cool here in the mornings 35-40 but after the first 200-400 yards it runs like a champ. It has been jetted for altitude (6'200) cause thats where we live.

 

[fritzi93]

Have a look at this page:

The Wolf's Bike Shop; just how far do you trust me?

 

[Deeppurple52]

Yep, they are cold blooded. My wife starts hers with choke, lets it run 1-2 minuntes, choke off and shuts off while she puts on chaps, helmet etc. Letting it soak warm helps a lot. It may sputter a time or two but nothing significant. As Woodchuck sez, turn out the idle mixture screw 1/2 - 1 turn. It won't eliminate the problem but it does help. 800's are **** fine bikes.