Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech High Anxiety with a little cold thrown in

I am in the process of ordering a new 2007 America over the next few weeks.

One area of concern is cold (28 to 38 deg F and high 3000ft plus starts and operation). I had a Polaris 600 twin ATV for the farm that was carburetted and it was a hunk of junk No matter where you set the choke, it would run for 30 sec and stall when cold. The only fix was to keep the revs up to 2,500RPM for around 5min until it was warm. When the EFI models came out a few years later, the dealer did the right thing and gave me a great trade in price in a 700 EFI model. No problems since.

So the point of all this is does anyone have experiences with the operating conditions I mention on their America's Speedy's or Bonnies? If bad, I may wait to see if an EFI model comes out on 2008, although I prefer carbs. Really don't plan on any cold weather rides but clear crisp days are always good for a ride.

I rode all over winter here...and some days were subzero (deg C that is...) I had no real problems, just used the choke a little more. Ok I'm at nigh on sea level but other have got over the altitude problems.

The Americas and Speedmasters have heated carbs. They do help.

Just take it easy. I'm sure it'll be fine.

I routinely ride through the winter in the Washington, DC area, so it gets pretty cold, but it's near sea level. The bike remains garaged at night and during the day, so it doesn't get cold-soaked. No problems. On the occassion I leave it outside on a 32f or below day, it has taken a couple of stabs at the starter to get going but no real issues. Spent one November night in Flagstaff, AZ at 20f and 7000 feet elev. Next morning it fired right up.

Of course no 2 machines are the same.

I ride all year- no problems...

I've ridden here in Iowa when it's been in the 20's. Turn on the ignition for a minute to heat the carbs and pull the choke. Starts right up. Just don't open the throttle when starting, I blew up an airbox that way.

I also ride all year with no problems. As long as the roads are clear I will ride the bike. And it gets way colder here then in Victoria I would bet