I have trouble starting my 06 Foreman in cold weather. -15c and colder. I believe maybe a pilot jet may help but I read a year ago and I think it was this forum that pumping the throttle 18 times then apply the choke then hit the starter will get it going. I "believe" that was the sequence but I am not sure. Has anybody heard of this??? It did work when I tried it but now I forgot what it was!!! duh!! I don't want to kill the cold battery why I try all the combinations. or risk flooding the bike. I usually keep it inside so it always starts easy but it got left out last nite

Help!!!!

 

First, are you running a proper cold weather weight oil? Probably 5W30 or maybe even 0W30....see your owner's manual. A thinner oil will give you less drag on the crank and get pumping quicker in cold weather.

Does it have a carb heater? The Rancher 350 does, and it helps to turn the key on for a minute or two to get the carb warm before trying to light the fires.

 

Do you use your starting primer on the right side of the carb,it helps with cold weather starts actually if not mistaken that's the reason it's there,give it a few pumps,kinda like a weedeater or leaf blower ,most people don't even think about it.You may want to richen it up some with the mixture screw on the bottom of the carb but only in 1/8 increments CCW,that also usually helps

 

Yes, the Foreman has a carb heater, so leave the key on for about a minute before cranking.

If it hasn't been run for a week or so, shut off the gas and drain out the carb. Gas goes stale fast in small quantities exposed to air (as in the float bowl), and boarderline gas can make the difference in the cold.

Pump the primer **** a few times.

Make sure the tension is set so the choke **** is staying all the way out, and not sliding back on its own due to vibration or whatever.

Winter weight oil is also a good point.

For mine, I'll turn on the gas and let the float bowl refill and turn on the key and let the carb heat. Pump the primer a couple times, full choke, pump throttle a couple of times, and it will always start right up.

If you think you may have already flooded it, pull the spark plug and spray it off, ground the plug wire and turn the engine over a bit before putting the plug back in.