Cold start fouling, F winter!

[rusty2004xb]

Hey ya'll

So its in the 20's and 30's here in Denver but the streets are clean. Seems like every time I try to start the 12r up, I foul the plugs. I wanna get out and enjoy the limited 50 degree weather here and there but can get a clean start. Any suggestions to get her goin and actually ride without 15 minutes of plug changes? NGK's are stacking up in the throw away pile.

Batt is full and charged, suggestions?

 

[c818919]

can you log a ride? what maps are on your ecm?

 

[rusty2004xb]

race ECM, MAPS? hell if I know, just did TPS reset but as far as any other info Im just not as schooled as most of you guys in that department. I have the factory race kit, ECM, Filter, Exhaust. 04' 12r. I know it has all the power it normally has in warm weather, rear tire breaks hella loose under WOT, its just getting it to run in the cold that's the problem.

 

[Blue xb12]

You've got to warm the bike up before you try to start it.
Place a space heater(electric, propane, kerosene) in front of it for 15-20 minutes to get the oil and moving parts warmed up. Good luck!

 

[Lesley]

rusty2004xb quote:Seems like every time I try to start the 12r up, I foul the plugs. Any suggestions

Well you may have stated your own answer. You say "you foul the plugs" ? Either the bike has problems or you aren't allowing enough warm-up time before you touch the throttle. On very rare occasion I have had to slightly give the bike throttle upon start up, but ONLY for a second. These bikes are electronically fuel injected. If you are blipping the throttle like a LOT of HD guys do then yes YOU are fouling the plugs more than likely. I know it isn't quite as cold here in Tulsa but even in the heat of Summer I ALWAYS allow my bike to run for atleast 5 minutes before I touch the throttle. In the Winter I usually warm it up for no less than 10 minutes before the throttle gets rolled. I realize this answer seems simple but your bike shouldn't be fouling plugs unless it has serious internal problems which I doubt. Try to be patient when you start it and just it let it run a good long while when it is so cold outside. I know these bikes have a great sound but it really is not good to blip the throttle upon start up.
Best of luck and safe journeys.

 

[rusty2004xb]

^Lesley

I have had to give just a bit of gas on start up otherwise the starter just cranks and cranks. I even leave the charger on it until it fires. I NEVER blip the throttle I did once years ago and had a HUGE pop sound. I know what you mean though about some H-D guys, I guess they don't understand their bikes will idle on their own...

I will try letting the bike warm up a little longer, I usually let it warm for a couple minutes though. I guess I get a little eager after not riding for a couple weeks! Thanks for the input!

 

[onelogue]

If I start my bike without riding it I almost foul my plugs every time. In other words, it's better to winterized the bike than start it ever week throughout the winter.

 

[rusty2004xb]

I ride it every couple of weeks for a few hundred miles. I'm not sure winterizing is right for me. I wanna ride! [up]

 

[Lesley]

I think to be fair we should take into account that we each probably live in different climates. It really just doesn't stay freezing cold long enough here in Tulsa to justify winterizing the bike. Not that I'm proud of it but I got 25,000 miles on my first set of plugs so I think I've figure out the cold starts here in Oklahoma [up]
I still say the fellow shouldn't be having fouled plugs that often. I hope he gets it figured out. To me it just sounded like he needed to allow more warm up time. IMHO these bikes are NOT as efficient in cold weather as most vehicles when it comes to starting up.

 

[g3STRIKES]

never winterize just ride! never had any cold start fouling,has to be problem.