Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: Morning starts for Suzuki Bandit 600s, suzuki bandit 600, petrol additives

Question
Dear Nigel,

You may be able to help, I have recently bought a Suzuki Bandit 600S. All is fine, except when in the morning it keeps cutting out even with the choke on. However after 10 to 15 mins of riding it is ticking over nicely. Only problem it takes 15 mins to get to work so miss out on enjoyment of riding. Is there any particular reason(s) for this or is this an inherent problem with Bandits. Any advice would be aprecaiated.

Regards


Answer
The Bandit  should be warm and ready to go within minutes.  There seems to be a problem.....  What have you done to the Bandit, since you bought it.  Have you cahnged the air filter, fuel filter, etc.  All these things help to make the engine run better.  However these links to reviews seem to suggest there is a problem ith them when cold.

Have a look at this link:

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146_0012_suzuki_bandit_600/index.html

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Suzuki_Bandit_600S__Review_5320549

and this:

Carburettor/starting problems
Many owners have reported problems in this area and it can be down to a number of things. First off, do check that you're getting a spark. If you are, the next culprits are the carbs. Bandit carbs can suffer in a number of ways:
FUEL: If the carbs have got a bit of muck in 'em or if fuel has been left in the float bowls for too long problems can arise. Do hear the bike fire up, let it warm up and then take it for a ride
DAMP: Leaving the bike outside in damp conditions for days on end doesn't help starting either. So, fire the bike up on full choke three or four times, then let the bike rest and then try again
PIPES: Look for kinks in the pipes under the tank. A kink in the fuel vent hose is a common problem
COLD: Carb icing can be a problem. This is where ice molecules form in the petrol, some petrol additives work
FUEL TANK BREATHER: Dodgy filler caps have been reported on any age Bandit 6s. You'll be going on your merry way and then the bike will cut out, as if there's some sort of fuel starvation. When it does that, pull over and stop as quick as you can and pop open the filler cap and listen for any hissing

Hope this helps

Nigel