Motorcycle Repair: V Star 1100 - Will not run unless choke is on, yamaha vstar, xv1100

Question
I have a 2001 Yamaha VStar 1100 (XV1100). It only has about 2600 miles. About 6 weeks ago while riding, the engine began sputtering, and died. I tried restarting, but found that the engine would not keep running unless I had the choke wide open. (Fortunately I was about 1/2 mile from home.) I changed the air filter, and that seemed to solve the problem. Yesterday, however, I changed the battery and tried to start it. Now the engine will not keep running unless the choke is fully applied. If I try closing the choke, it dies. Even when the choke is full open, when I throttle up, the engine dies.

What could this be, and what might solve the problem?

Thanks.

Answer
Troy,

-double check the battery connections,
they have to be clean and tight or
electrical problems surface.
-Check for any loose connectors
under the seat, side panels etc.
-Could be the fuel filter, but seems
unlikely at that mileage.
-Try checking if fuel is pumping well
to the carbs, the fuel pump may
have a bad connector or be faulty.
-Check if carb heaters have power
to them, they are near the front bottom
of the carbs. They help with cold starting.
-Check the fuses.
-Gas tank vent should be clear so no vacuum
builds up in tank.