Well, today, I take a much needed day off of work, so I go through my to-do list:
1. Take son to school
2. Get granny's medicine
3. Change blades on mower deck
4. Cut the grass
5. Ride if I can
I take a look outside and the sun is shining, so instantly #5 is bumped to the top. So, I shine ol' girl up, get it off the jack, and crank her up. She bitches and moans for a good 5 minutes, sputtering and popping, so I find a spot that seems to keep it running and hold it there for a few seconds and it finally clears up (as if the rear bank finally starts to fire). I promised to pay more attention to her in the future, and off we rode. 103 miles later, she seems to be running just fine. I'm assuming she sat a little too long, and just needed to clear her throat. What say ye gods of carburetion??

Sound normal to me. I only get to ride 5 or 6 months out of the year. My Road Star will run a bit ruff after sitting. More miles is the best medicine.

Mine bucks and carries on until she gets warmed up. I usually leave the choke on for a bit.... then she purrs like a kitten.

One thing I have found out..... she's a cold natured beastie! But once she warms up. Hang on! She's gonna take you for a ride!!!!

I can tell you got your priorities straight! Maybe ye needs to take her for another 103 miles to be sure Cold natured beast is right. First 10 miles are the hardest. She wants to rest, but eventually she wakes up. The guys with the '08 FI models probably don't have this problem.

i don't either, must just be a 1700 thing, i pull the choke out she rolls ove about a half turn and fire up, i leave the choke out for 20 second push it in and idle up the 1/4mile drive, stop at the road and go, she never sputters or nothing, that would drive me crazy, my friends 1700 use to do that, they rejetted 3times and it dont do it anymore

just like a lady,, she just wants to get warmed up before you ride her.

Well, I do have some skills with a wrench, so I may just have to tear in to it if it happens again. Cold natured I'm used to, but this was a little beyond what she usually does. I'll try to pay a bit more attention to her as well (maybe go out and fire her up when I'm not riding regularly).

One place I went today was the dealership where I bought the bike, and the mechanic that I usually talk with was not there, so I didn't mention what happened earlier to anyone else. One thing I noticed was that there was not a R* in the entire building. Lots of Strats and 1300's though.

Got an '06 R*Silv.Midnight. I ride her year round. From March to Oct..I choke her..Roll 'er over and she comes to life..wait 7 to 10 seconds..cut the choke to half way..get dressed and ride away. That's the way she's been since we first met..2 years now. I love her

Tbone. I've got the same issue on my '05 when it starts to get cooler. So far this summer, she hasn't even needed the slightest choke, just a little twist before I hit the starter and vroom.

Temps are getting down around 60 in the early morn now and she's fine when I start and take off, but, a minute later she starts acting like she's out of gas. Stutter, choke, wheeze. I'll be interested in finding out what course of action you take. Leaner/richer jets, adjust PMS, different pilot jet. I don't know, I'm just bugged by it. My gut says go leaner and check the carb fuel heater but I really have no idea.

Ratl.

If you can start you bike without a choke when it's at ambient temp then you're either jetted too rich or your choke is slightly on all the time.

Doc