I'm a motorcycle newbie and not engine smart. I was told when I bought my 2002 1200 that I should warm it up 10 minutes with the choke out. I've been reading the factory manual for my bike and it says to never let it run more than 30 sec with the choke out. I'm now having starting problems that I'm playing "replace this and that" to fix the problem. Could I have done some damage warming my bike up like that?
Last week the intake manifold gaskets were replaced and that didn't fix it. Currently the mechanic is replacing the ignition coil, but with what I'm reading I'm worried it might be related to the way I've been warming it up.
Any thoughts?

 

Sounds like you have fouled spark plugs with the warm up you described.

Replace them.

 

Modern bikes do not need a warm up period. Get on it and ride.
Sounds like you do not have a mechanic but a parts re-placer. Better to find someone that knows what they are doing. He's getting rich replacing parts on your bike that doesn't fix the problem.

 

2002 is carbed. With mine. I start it with full "choke" all the way out. Then back it off about halfway. I put on my helmet. Put on my gloves. And anything else I need before I ride. Then I get on my bike push the choke in a little more (about 1/4 out) then take off. After a mile or so I push the choke all the way in.

You don't need to have the choke all the way out for 10 mins. Just to start it then back it off.

You probably didn't damage anything. May have fouled the spark plugs. But that's about it.

 

I totally agree with Iarecobra. I have a 2005 XL1200R (carb model) that I start with full choke, and as soon as I'm rolling, I push the choke in, all the way off. It runs on choke for no more than 10 seconds, and that's it. Fouled plugs are likely your only issue and you need not replace them. Just remove them, clean them up well with a wire brush, check the gap, and put 'em back. You will be fine as long as you minimize the length of time you use the choke. Even just 30 seconds of full choke is too long IMHO.

 

Bikes have never needed a warm-up and certainly not for ten minutes. I've been riding for over 50 years now and it is: put riding gear on, start up, use choke/cold start as required, allow the engine to settle down, then ride off. Turn choke/cold start off as soon as practical. Quite plainly don't cane it until warmed right through. Unfortunately the internet comes up with all manner of nonsense, of which 'warming up' is an example.

 

All of the above is very good advice. A 5 minute at full choke warmup might be necessary in 40 degree below zero temps. That said, I'd completely ignore the person who gave you that lousy '10 minute' advice.

 

Looks like the OP got his answer so hopefully you don't mind me slightly derailing. My quad which is carbed does need to be warmed up about 10 min on full choke. If I try and close the choke at all before 10 min it will stall. But once it's warmed up from a full 10 min idle at choke,..she's purrs like a kitten with choke off.

It's a Kawi 4 stroke 250cc. This a common dirt bike/quad thing or sound like an issue?

 

It's an issue, the answer to which I don't have, but it's an issue.

 

It may well be an issue, however read the earlier threads. It isn't necessary to close the choke before riding off, which is a quicker and better way of warming the engine up, when the choke can probably be turned right off a lot sooner than leaving it idling at rest.