Hard to start now that it's getting colder outside

Looking on some advice on my bike.
Now that it's getting a bit colder I can't really get her started in the morning.

funny thing is it seemed to happen like in less that a week.

last friday she fired up no problem in the morning. FYI my bike has always started really well on cold starts usually first press of the button.

So it rained a bit after that and I didn't ride for a few days. I rode today and yesterday. I noticed it was quite a bit colder in the morning even for just 5 days.

So i couldn't get her going both mornings. I bumped started it and it started no problem then ran no problem after that. In the afternoon the mornings after it wouldn't start it'll start no problem again.

So I think I have narrowed it down to the cold temperature outside. Is there something that can cause this? And anything I can do about it?

 

I run a section of Windshield Washer Hose from the Seat Surround down into the Airbox Inlet.

I just insert the disappearing Red Tube into the Hose and goose the Start with a shot of Starting Fluid. ( Or two, ... )

 

A better battery would be a good start, lol!

 

Is the choke properly adjusted, meaning the finger brackets rise all the way when engaged? I had an issue where they were loose, made starting tough when cold...

 

I filled the water in my battery a few weeks ago. yikes, i was low, and it started way better after that. I'd suggest battery maintenance, if you haven't already.

( distilled only )

 

Ill check the choke thing.

I don't think it's the battery. I top it up with distilled water fairly regularly.
I usually take it out and give it a nice charge once in awhile too. but ill top her up and charge it just to eliminate that possibility.

Rick are you serious about the starting fluid thing? Seems like there should be a better option than that.

 

Check the date code on the battery. More than 4 or 5 seasons old? It's the battery.

To confirm, fully charge it and take it to an auto parts store (or CT) to have it load tested.

 

Yes! I'm serious.
A shot of Starting Fluid will help fire-up the Cold Blooded Plant.

I have even used a shot of Carb Cleaner.

 

Get a trickle charger with a quick connect.

 

When mine did this, it turned out to be the battery. The bike turned over real good, so when it was suggested to me, I didn't believe it.
Running it low on water like you did could of made it work just good enough in good weather. A little colder and it can't turn it over like it needs to.
I feel good getting a couple years on my battery's.

Chris.

 

Get a motobatt agm battery and stop messing about with distilled water

 

Heck yeah, after posting above, mine bit the dust. Had to ride my son's vs800 last weekend ( not so bad ).

I think much time without adequate water bonked it.

 

Also make sure to triple check your enrichiner circuits. I was having trouble with starting and bad when cold outside to were I have to give a shot of starting fluid if it didn't take off on the first crank. Cleaned out them pain in the a__ tiny passages until I could squirt clean in and have the fluid shoot out the other end of the passage. Now she starts in all conditions.