My 2002 honda xr200r will only start with full choke on and at that I must play with throttle

The choke setting required for starting is related to the temperature. In cold weather, a full choke is normally needed ; in normal temp (70 degrees F) a moderate choke may be all that is needed. Of course, once the engine starts, you may need to adjust the choke as the engine warms up - when ready to ride, you will want to have zero choke set. Hope this helps !

if it has an manual choke you need to play around with that while kick starting it. once started before you go anywhere slowly close your choke (this may take up to 5 minutes if you live in a cold area). once fully closed then you should be able to turn the throttle without a problem occuring.

best of luck and safe riding

How to use your choke correctly. The choke is only to be used for starting a cold engine. If it is a lever, usually you pull it up for on , and push it down for off. look for some type off arrow, or up & down. To start your cold engine, turn on fuel tap, give full choke, turn key on and press starter or kick start, it is very important that you do not use the throttle while starting with the choke, just turn the key on, and press the starter with full ckoke, and no throttle. Once the bike fires and starts, turn down the choke a little and find a idle, after a few minits, you can turn off the choke and ride off. The use off the choke is only for starting a cold engine.

Sounds like the battery may be weak, recharge and test, maybe replace. As far as starting, most Hondas will not start if you open the throttle any at all. Shadows being liquid cooled are generally cold natured, but you should be able to ride away with the choke on in 1 or 2 minutes, you might have to ride as far as 4 or 5 miles at highway speed before you can take the choke fully off. If it is taking longer than these times, you will need to remove and clean the carbs. the low speed jets may be partially blocked up.

Are you laying off the choke at any point? Full choke should only be used when starting a cold engine, it should run with no choke on full throttle. If there is not enough throttle i'd first try adjusting the tiny black screw on the carb beneath your air filter while you have it idling, letting the throttle have a little bit more room. If this doesn't work and you're running it properly than you may need to make some adjustments to the H L settings for your gas/air mix. This is also done while idling mind you and only with a clean air filter.