Originally Posted by Sorek

Hello,
I am a new person to this forum........but for a reason. As an enthuiast rider and a quad junkie I felt I need to pass along some info to the 06 450ER guys out there. I am also a Honda Technican and get all the Honda Service info down the pipeline that most guys dont get! SO here it goes. I hope that most of you are aware of the proper starting procedures for your unit! IF YOU HOLD THE THROTTLE OPEN WHILE STARTING YOUR UNIT YOU MAY DESTROY THE STARTER CLUTCH! Honda posted in the WRENCH letter to mechanics this past month! Also, I have had 5 450's come back from buyers in a very short period of time for dead batteries. I am almost certain that this is caused by many of these guys tryin to start their 450 in 30 degree weather (for which it is not properly jetted for). If you are having trouble starting your 450ER in the cold weather pull off the seat and put ur hand over the intake hole on the air box( ultimately choking the engine more than just the choke button) and it should start! I had a 450 in 10 degree weather sit outside all night long and started the unit this way. If you do not follow such freezing cold starting procedures you WILL KILL YOUR BATTERY! This battery is very very small compared to the YTX 14 on a 400EX! One other idea is when the quad is then running turn on the headlight! This makes the battery charge better! I hope if any of the 450 guys out there have any ????'s they will hit me up on here because I want to help.

Sorek