I just purchased my first ATV, the Rancher ES. Love the machine, but wondering if I am an idiot. Posting from Wisconsin so still cold and wondering if that is why when I start the machine and turn the choke in it often dies on me. Is it too cold or does the machine need to be broken in. The manual says not to run with the choke out so please advice why I am having problems.

 

Bryce,

I have a 2000 Yamaha Grizzly. When it is started on a cold or cool day, the choke being on alone is not enough to get it started. I have to give it just a hint of throttle to fire it up, then it will warm up with the choke only. I don't know if this is a common theme among all ATV's, but I have to do something similar at times with either one of my 2 Kawasaki Bayou 220's.

Yammer_Hummer

 

You need to reach under the right side of the seat and find the idle adjustment. Turn is clockwise to bump up the idle speed. It is probably too low. If you put it in 1st gear and turn the idle up until you feel it move the quad, then back it off a little bit, you will be ok and probably be able to keep it running.

 

If you are takein the choke off as soon as it starts then that is too soon. just use enough choke and throttle to keep it running. I use full choke to fire it up then take it to 3/4 choke to let it warm up otherwise any quad would die without any choke at all. after 2 min you should be able to drive it without any choke