Carbureted bike as a daily driver

bikerdrumr

bikerdrumr

David
Joined
Sep 26, 2012
Messages
84
Age
55
Location
Florence, NJ
Bike
'15 BMW 1200RT
2025 Miles
002956
I wouldn't ask this question if I didn't have bad experiences in the past.

Do any of you 1100 owners have any problems with having a carbureted bike as a daily driver? With my Bonneville, the bike wouldn't start below 32 degrees and would run rough even after I had the carbs cleaned. I'm not doubting Honda's engineering over a Triumph, but I wanted to get the experienced opinions of you fine folks. :)

Thanks a million!
 
Just looked at the carb section in the tech area. It has the highest amount of posts. I'm starting to bite my nails about buying a '97!!!
 
Rode pretty much through last winter (down to -12C) and my bike's parked out side in my frontyard - no problems starting at all - not even after a three week break in riding due to slippery conditions.
Did not experience any problems starting it up in the morning.
Same goes for my (t)rusty old CBR600F which gets a lot less use since I got the ST11.
 
Just rolled 75,000 miles today on my '96. Carbs were balanced one time. No issues, not the least bit afraid of it. In fact, my experience with now 2 carburated STs eased any potential concerns with the acquisition of my carbie Blackbird...
 
bikerdrumr said:
I wouldn't ask this question if I didn't have bad experiences in the past.

Do any of you 1100 owners have any problems with having a carbureted bike as a daily driver? With my Bonneville, the bike wouldn't start below 32 degrees and would run rough even after I had the carbs cleaned. I'm not doubting Honda's engineering over a Triumph, but I wanted to get the experienced opinions of you fine folks. :)

Thanks a million!
Click to expand...

In the old school automotive world, and applies to scoots too.........primary ignition electrical before fueling suspect. Might check voltages going to coils with ignition on. Could also be a faulty condenser, which is part of secondary ignition system.......just some ideas.......
 
The problems with carbs happen when you don't ride them regularly, they gum up the idle jets.
With daily riding you should have no problems.
 
Honda carbs are superb. I had a 72 CB750 that I drove all one winter in Michigan. It worked fine, even on days I would have gladly accepted it as a real good reason not to go.
 
OK, I figured it was more particular to the Bonnie. That bike is also known for it's problems during cold weather starting. With you highly-esteemed ST riders, you DON'T hit 100k miles and over when your bike doesn't start below 32 degrees. So the evidence indicated there aren't any problems once the bike's fueling is dialed in.

I always was awed by you dedicated riders! I average about 5k miles a year. Last year was my best at 7.5k. 99% of my riding is commuting. I am an IBA wannabe. With a more comfortable bike, like the ST, I'll get there someday!

Thanks again! Hope to be a ST owner by the end of Oct!
 
Good luck on the bike hunt Drummer!

Mark

P.S.
I didn't offer any advice on the temp starting as you guys have just a couple more days of cold weather than we do here... ;)
 
'Drumr, hard starting on a regularly used 11 is more likely to be low volts than carbs... (if the diaphragms and choke circuits are good.)

I had a problem last winter on lipSTick where the choke circuits (actually enricheners) were not fully opening, she did not want to start cold. Fixed that, no more problem. Turns out the "levers 'n rods" build up some play over time,,, that's all gotta be tight to work right. Otherwise, with over 400,000 miles among my 3, all good to go.

I had, at one time, my GL1100 was the only vehicle in the menagerie which would start,,, -11F :D
 
Another "daily rider", and my '93 has 146K. Never had a problem with cold starts. If you get one that does, start by running a couple tanks of fuel treated with "Seafoam" through first to see if that will clean up the gummed up carbs.
 
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