Over 3,000 miles on my max (11000 total), and I've used the choke exactly one time; when it sat for 5-6 days w/o being ridden.. I guess mine just doesn't need it. The thing fires right up and catches an idle it'll hold (7-800 rpm) with just a small blip or two from the throttle. However, it doesn't hold a great idle (1000-1100 rpm) until it's been driven for a couple of blocks.