Can't start the venice cold- use throttle?

[theorist]

I have a 2004 venice. Now, the manual is completely useless for almost anything but it says to NOT use the throttle to help start with the electric starter. However, the bike is virtually impossible to start without it. My motorcycle has a choke on it for that purpose, but the scooter doesn't. What is the proper method for starting the scooter cold.
Also, does the rear brake lever act as a clutch (disengaging the transmission)? I want to know whether it is okay to rev the engine while holding the left lever in order to warm it up. Thanks.

[marylandmark]

Also, does the rear brake lever act as a clutch (disengaging the transmission)? I want to know whether it is okay to rev the engine while holding the left lever in order to warm it up. Thanks.

On my Derbi and Yamaha you can hold either brake to start it- safety measure, tranny is engaged all the time.

I guess the PC answer is you should let it idle until the proper temperature is obtained. If you were going to rev it then you minus well ride it. I warm mine up by rev'ing up the motor while holding the brake....

[theorist]

I just re-read the manual and it says to only twist the throttle a quarter-turn if it doesn't start after the first two tries. So i guess it is okay to use the throttle. I think a quarter turn is where the engine rev's some but doesn't start to pull you yet.

I kind of expect someone to say that the left brake lever does something to the transmission, because when I pull on the left brake lever the idle is smoother than when the bike is running without either brake engaged? Anyone know if this is true?

[apexio]

The Venice has an auto-choke. Sometimes it works well, sometimes not. On one of my scooters if I try to give it gas after the auto choke has turned off but before it's warm the engine bogs down and dies. If I let it idle at the really low idle it likes before it's warmed up, it doesn't die and eventually does warm up. It you want to warm it up fast, give it gas before the auto choke turns off. On my other Venice, it idles perfectly all through the warm up procedure and I can rev it up to hurry it if I want without it bogging down.

[marylandmark]

Could it be the draw from the motor, brake lights and so on that is dropping the idle lower which makes it sounds and feel smoother?

[theorist]

Could it be the draw from the motor, brake lights and so on that is dropping the idle lower which makes it sounds and feel smoother?
Could be... but it doesn't fieel like the idle is lower, maybe even a little higher and more regular. The scooter generally feels smoother when the rpm's are higher than it does at idle.