What is the best way to use the choke

[pocket aces]

The other day I went to start the Valk it probably sat for 2 weeks. I believe I flooded it. I waited about an hour and it fired up with no choke. What is the best way to use the choke so I don't flood it again? If I do can I do something else to get it started besides waiting?

[hubcapsc]

Just touch the button, no throttle, see if that works, it does for me
most of the time when the bike hasn't been started in a while. Maybe
try that twice, no more. Then try once or twice with some throttle. If
that doesn't work, wait five minutes or so, try it with throttle again.

If my bike was ridden yesterday, it usually needs the throttle goosed
to start right up.

I pretty much always (summer or winter) use the choke unless I've
already been riding that day. I guess you're really pushing the choke
lever down far enough... it goes until it feels like it stops - that's
actually where it starts - then push it harder some more. You can
look down and see it working at the carb tops, so you'll know.

Absolutely avoid trying over and over until your battery poops out.

-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

My Standard hardly ever needs the choke and it hates any throttle on start up. My Interstate takes choke just fine and throttle ok too. I think each bike has its own personality. I have flooded my Standard 3 or 4 times until I finally got it thru my thick head what it likes on start up.

[Roadog]

My Standard hardly ever needs the choke and it hates any throttle on start up. My Interstate takes choke just fine and throttle ok too. I think each bike has its own personality. I have flooded my Standard 3 or 4 times until I finally got it thru my thick head what it likes on start up.

"Thick head"...you sure about that MH, LOL.   THAT made me laugh out loud.   Thanks for the laugh.

Roadog

[Chrisj CMA]

As little as possible 

[Steel cowboy]

My I/S needs a goosing to get it started when cold then I flip the enrichment tab all the way down. The idle with the tab down is at 2000 I wait a minute and bring the tab up to about 1500. My low jets are stock 35, my buddy with a standard has 38 low jets and it starts much easier.

[Jess from VA]

Gas on, choke (all the way) on, now count 1-2-3-4-5 (wait five seconds), then hit the starter with no throttle.  Any throttle at choked cold startup and my bikes will not fire.  And to keep the throttle open while you keep trying will quickly flood the carbs.

If she catches but tries to stall, then a little bit of throttle blip at that point can stop a stall, but once caught, let go of throttle and let the choke take over.  My bikes like two minutes or more of choke, before I knock it off.  

Do not wait till lunch to discover your choke is still on.  

[salty1]

My I/S needs a goosing to get it started when cold then I flip the enrichment tab all the way down. The idle with the tab down is at 2000 I wait a minute and bring the tab up to about 1500. My low jets are stock 35, my buddy with a standard has 38 low jets and it starts much easier.

Same for me. 

[Firefighter]

Sounds to me your battery charge may be a little low. The engine should start right away and if you crank longer than a few seconds with the choke the engine will flood and your battery will get weak quickly. The interstate always has a small drain on the battery and if the battery is dirty or corroded loose connections, weak etc the engine will spin but the ignition will not fire the spark plugs. I use a battery maintainer so the battery stays topped off and has worked well for me.

[gordonv]

I think in all the above you have your answer. You need to learn what YOUR bike likes.

By your posts, I'm figuring you are a new owner? So in that case, most people don't know HOW to use the chock (fuel enricher) properly.

You are moving 6 carbs, so you turn the lever down till it stops, then you force it another 1/4"-1/2".

If your bike fires after letting go of the starter switch, then you could have a low battery. The coils need power, and gets it after you stop cranking the starter over.

[pocket aces]

Hey guys Thanks for all the tips! I'm new to the Valkyrie so I guess I will figure out just how she likes to be treated.

[Ramie]

Hey guys Thanks for all the tips! I'm new to the Valkyrie so I guess I will figure out just how she likes to be treated.

When I first got my I/S I had problems using the choke on it, I found all the clamps on the Air filter and the intake boots where loose.  Once I tightened them all up started much better, full choke when cold then back of choke as engine warms up.

[pocket aces]

  Consensus seems when full choke on no throttle. Only throttle when choke is off.

[BF]

Mine needs choke, always has....but just for a moment or so. 

Push choke all the way down, push starter button and give just a blip of throttle.  Almost at the start, begin taking choke off. 

That works on my bike....hot weather or cold...doesn't seem to matter with my bike. 

It will start with the choke totally off, but it's a little rough at first. 

[RDKLL]

I have not need the choke for the last 2-3 years, regardless of the temp...choke off, key on hit starter....when it lights, if I can keep it running I am good...if it quits, I will need major choke to get started and running

[Paladin528]

Gas on, choke (all the way) on, now count 1-2-3-4-5 (wait five seconds), then hit the starter with no throttle.  Any throttle at choked cold startup and my bikes will not fire.  And to keep the throttle open while you keep trying will quickly flood the carbs.

If she catches but tries to stall, then a little bit of throttle blip at that point can stop a stall, but once caught, let go of throttle and let the choke take over.  My bikes like two minutes or more of choke, before I knock it off.  

Do not wait till lunch to discover your choke is still on.  

What is the 5 count for?  Fuel wont flow until you crank the engine as the petcock is vacuum operated.
fuel on, choke on, ignition on, press the start button count to 10 and choke off usually works for me.  if it is really cold I will let it run on choke for a minute or so but at those temps there is usually snow on the ground.