Sounds like you may be running lean to me. Check them plugs. If there white your lean.

As others have said you can't just jump on an EVO and ride. I always wait until the heads feel warm to the touch. usually about 2-3 minutes for me. I usually need the choke for about 20-30 seconds and then it will idle on its own in the summer. Winter I do 20-30 sec's of choke and then have to keep her running by throttle. Warm up time depends on temp but like I said earlier, when the heads are warm to the touch I ride, not before.

 

The carbed bikes came from the factory very lean.
I've changed the main jet on my wife's '99 and I Dyno-Jetted my '98.
Another consideration would be to check or replace the intake gaskets just in case they're sucking extra air.

 

My buddies sporty was the same way. I pulled the bowl and got the slow jet out took it to dealer got the next one up problem gone. Just a thought.

 

Checked plugs, they were white/grey at tip and electrode, sooty on threads. Confusing reading to me. I also think after reading these and other comments that i'm lean. Time to run to the store for jets. Should I replace air/fuel mix screw and o-ring while I'm at it?

 

Forgot to mention PO installed a Mikuni carb. I ran the idle mix screw and it was at 2 turns out. I ran it in till idled down, and ran it out till idled down, split the difference and now I'm out about 3 turns. Does anybody think that will make a difference? Havent ridden yet due to torrential rains here.

 

I'm glad I found this thread I was going to post a similar question...I have a 95 fxdl..stock motor except for V&H short shots..and a kuryakin mach 2 air cleaner. I had the bike tuned on a dyno. I believe they put in a 45 pilot jet and a 180 main and 2 shims on the needle. I have the dyno sheet and the air fuel is right on. But I have noticed ( even before the work) that the bike is very cold blooded. I need to let her warm up with the throttle lock for a few minutes and the ride it for a few blocks or she will stall cold..even on days like today after I have ridden for a while. If I let the bike sit for a few hours same issue. But after it warms up she runs like a bat out of hell with no stalls.....so I'm guessing I really don't have an issue. If I'm wrong please let me know.

 

Since I payed attention to what everyone said about choke for 15 seconds and then throttle locking idle for a couple of minutes, I havent had any problems. I ride away when the rockers are warm to touch and it doesn't pop or snarl at all. Definatly barks though! It was just a sharp learning curve for me to negotiate.

 

My 02 is very cold blooded. It takes quite a while for full warm up. But after its warm it runs absolutely perfect. Unfortunately the PO's son who sold me the bike after his father passed away has no idea what was done to the motor. But I believe there's quite a bit of work done that I still have no idea about. I only choke it enough to start then just give some gentle throttle till warm. It works.