starting in the cold.

[LazyBastard]

Pouring water over the carbs is a VERY BAD IDEA. If that water stays and freezes, you could have something stick, like a throttle gate.

Note that the carbs have electric heaters, gotta give them the time to warm the fuel though.

 

[Jack_Shaft]

Never had a problem with my 04 starting in that kind of cold weather! A good battery and synthetic oil and it should start but a heater makes things easier on the machine!

+1 for this rationale.

My RX-1 starts all the time in -40*C temps and has never let me down. Make sure you maintain your battery over the Summer and/or during other long periods without use and you'll be fine.