Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: Proper Startup and rpm?, long periods of time, startup procedure

Question
Hello and thanks for your time!!!!

 I was just wondering, I just recently got a
1998 Honda CBR 600F3, and I was wondering what the proper startup procedure is for the bike? I think it's like - Neutral, Engine Cutoff, Full Choke, Start...wait 30 seconds...half choke....wait 30seconds....choke off;then go. What do you recommend? I don't know if that's right or anything. Also, for rpm ranges when cruising, can you give me specific rpm ranges to be in?  Thank you VERY MUCH!!!!  -Michi

Answer
The choke is a "helper" to getting the bike started and warmed up, but it's not necessarily required. Use it if you have to, only as long as you have to.

Every bike will be a little different, even two identical F3s, and the need for the choke varies with air temperature, humidity, and the bike's temperature--cold, warm, or in between somewhere.

Generally, the bike will require full choke for a cold start. There is no "time limit," per se, leave the choke on until the engine runs smoothly without it. This may be an on/off adjustment, or it may require several minor adjustments along the way.

Generally, you gauge how much choke to use by the engine idle speed. When you first start it, it will be high--maybe in the 2000 range. As it warms up, it will increase, to maybe 2500 or 3000 or more. When it increases noticably, you back off the choke some until it's back to "normal." Keep doing this until the choke is completely off.

RPM ranges while cruising is a matter of personal choice/opinion. Some riders prefer a low RPM, others prefer a higher RPM to keep the engine in its powerband. "Cruising" such as when you're going to go the same speed for long periods of time, if you want the lowest useful RPM, should be in the 4500-5500 range. Inline fours prefer a higher cruising RPM (except maybe for highway use of 55-70 MPH) in the 6500-8500 range.

But again, that's up to you. Every bike has a "sweet spot" and it's up to you to determine what it is. Higher RPMs will allow you more power with the twist of the wrist, but you sacrifice fuel economy and, in theory, top-end engine life. Lower RPMs means you need to downshift for power, but you get better mileage, the bike generally runs cooler, although some argue that it increases bottom-end engine wear.

Hope that helps.

Pat