Won't start in low ambient temperture

[snakemeister]

  My '97 Tourer wouldn't fire if the ambient temp was below about 40.I put a brand new Power Sport
 PTX14BS-FS battery in.The temp is about 28 this morning and it won't start.The battery voltage is pulling down to 10.1 when the starter is engaged with this new battery while holding 13 volts when the starter is not engaged. I am really disappointed. Has anybody else got any experience with this battery?

[Tinman]

When you push the choke on and it stops push it another 1/4" then it will truly be on and she should fire right up....;-)

[signart]

Your new battery is suspect. Jump it with your car battery and see if it starts.

[Gryphon Rider]

Yes, fully engage the choke.  The lever moves most of its travel easily, then requires extra pressure for the last little bit to actually engage the choke.  My bike also requires just a little throttle (take up the slack, then turn another 1/8") to start.  Try with full choke and no throttle first.

[olddog1946]

Your new battery is suspect. Jump it with your car battery and see if it starts.

Be sure the car is NOT running when you do this. Or you'll stand a chance of taking out your alternator on the bike. The bottom edge of the choke lever should be pretty close to the seam of the housing or it isn't actually on.

[old2soon]

My I/S has started for me in the high teens and low 20s. Choke full on-ALL the way down past the resistance. Head light switch on dim. Gear shift in neutral. Clutch lever pulled in. Slack out of throttle and maybe 1/8 1/4 turn. Hit starter button. When it is this cold and it starts leave the throttle alone after it starts. When the R P Ms pick up let the clutch out-make SURE you are in neutral. I'm with the other folks-battery is suspect. Just because it's new don't mean it's 100%. When it does run are all 6 cylinders hitting? No miss you can hear? When I do my rear end maint I check the battery connections including the frame ground. Are the hot and neutral cables fuzz free? Do they look nice and clean? Are the bolts that hold the cables to the battery nice and clean?? I know I know-maintenance 101.  RIDE SAFE.

[Bighead]

Never had a problem not starting in the cold. They are cold hearted Beasts and mine will spit and sputter a bit if you try to throttle it until it warms up a bit but starts easy enough.
As the others have said battery is suspect. Was it charged correctly before install? 10 amps ain't gonna do it.
I too need to replace my Battery on my 97 but not because it don't start but because it is on borrowed time it has been in there for at least 10 years

[Patrick]

That battery voltage is too low, needs to be no lower than 10.5 volts and thats even a bit low for low temps. With voltage that low it might start as soon as you release the start button or try to. That is a sure sign of low voltage.
Remove/Check/clean ALL the battery and ground connections.
These monsters do not like a lot of ignition advance and some with an aftermarket trigger do not want to start in the cold.
Higher octane fuel will not start as well as low octane fuel in the cold.
Full choke
If the engine starts, as mentioned, don't touch throttle for awhile.