COLD starting on a 6Ah battery!

[Stig / Major Tom]

My 2018 155cc Piaggio scooter uses this spring-loaded centrifugal cam to hold the exhaust valve open until the engine starts. This lowers the compression and allows  Piaggio to fit a smaller starter motor - and perhaps explains the little 6Ah, 130CCA Yuasa* battery which is fitted.
In a test >  it was 6°F this morning and the scooter started just fine.
(On really cold rides I have a spare 12Ah, 210CCA YUASA which, until this 6Ah battery convinces me, I carry under the seat - with 2ft quick, to the tender, connect cables )




*By comparison - for all my cold morning starts when well away from home - I've fitted a 14Ah, 230CCA YUASA in my 163cc LIKE200i 

Frankly - it can be a little risky to have a flat battery when I need a restart in some of the places I stop for photos in the dark. Cold being my biggest concern.

Flat tire fixers & a spare battery - a bit of belt and suspenders, I know.

Stig

[eamartin]

My KLR 650 has a similar device (KACR) to lower startup compression.  Specs call for 210CCA battery.  My used bike came with a 120CCA battery which worked but caused a slow-turning starter motor.  And when the battery weakened, there was not enough battery to run the starter.

[JJJoseph]

Even when really cold out, a bike with a kick-starter will always start just easily as when it's warm out, even when a small battery can't handle it.  So I only ride a machine with a kick starter.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Even when really cold out, a bike with a kick-starter will always start just easily as when it's warm out, even when a small battery can't handle it.  So I only ride a machine with a kick starter.

That leaves out too many EFI scooters!
Won't own anything else. ....
Started just fine this morning  (23°F, 5:35AM)....and went straight into a smooth idle.
Stig

[JJJoseph]

That leaves out too many EFI scooters!
Won't own anything else. ....

The problem for me is when an EFI Kymco starts running rough, there's nothing you can do to fix it.  It can only be sold for scrap.

[john grinsel]

Batteries---low voltage can be problem cold starts can be problem with FI----only problem I have ever had with FI, is BMW K-75----voltage drops, won't go----got mine going by coasting down Mountain in CO, in gear letting clutch out, once charging system started working---got started.  K-75 my last new BMW!

On cold starts (carb) Helix worked down to at least -15F after nite of sitting outside.....now my Suzuki GS-500E, after sitting outside at about  0  degrees F-----required removing battery, warming it in sink of hot water---then thing would go.   Under-engineering on Suzuki's part.

My XTown 300i seems to start under all conditions so far.

[eamartin]

Batteries---low voltage can be problem cold starts can be problem with FI----only problem I have ever had with FI, is BMW K-75----voltage drops, won't go----got mine going by coasting down Mountain in CO, in gear letting clutch out, once charging system started working---got started.  K-75 my last new BMW!

On cold starts (carb) Helix worked down to at least -15F after nite of sitting outside.....now my Suzuki GS-500E, after sitting outside at about  0  degrees F-----required removing battery, warming it in sink of hot water---then thing would go.   Under-engineering on Suzuki's part.

My XTown 300i seems to start under all conditions so far.

I always liked the appearance of those K-bikes.  Plus side, I understand they are as smooth as a sewing machine.  Minus side, I heard they are top-heavy.  So, John.  What was your experience?

[john grinsel]

Ok bike----as long time BMW owner, was prepared for BMW like problems-----fuel pick up on front of tank....so going up steep hill bike would not start----controls froze riding in snow storm/freezing rain/valve adjustment via shims.   Not cheap. I generally only buy new bikes, so had the K-75 from the get go....but maybe one of the better BMW bikes for my use.

[de dee]

2016 Piaggio b v 350  valve check installing 1 shim @$ 10.00  + 1 hour labor ( mine )  cant get cheaper,.  I start my scooters. all winter every month,  and it gets down to 40 below,  F.  and C. here in Ottawa Canada,.  I even get the odd ride in when it gets close to 0 degrees C. when the ice is gone,  we get freezing rain to often somebody sends the gulf stream here once a month it seems,.  happy new year every one de dee goulet