The EFI myth
I cannot remember the last vehicle I even had a choke on that worked. I have the ones on both Vixen and Gladys adjusted so the choke is slam open all the time. I never have needed one. Even on days under 20 degrees, they both pop right off.
I have a pressure washer that needs it for the first start, even in 100+ deg weather. My KTM 950 also will not start or idle w/o it if over 75 deg outside. Strangely, if it's cold I can actually get it to idle (low) w/o choke, but it won't take throttle. I'm too impatient (and the oil pressure too low under 900 rpm) to let it warm up w/o the choke - but it can't be ridden with the choke on either.
Same with an old Tecumseh ohv engine I have in my mower. The choke is needed to effectively 'prime' the engine, otherwise she no start w/o it.
My '83 W150 has a choke on the 2bbl. It's automatic, and if I try to disable it - no start, and not happy at all if I just bypass it early. Though that engine just plain pisses me off. Once started, it'll run great for the first 5 mins, then the choke comes off and it won't take throttle and dies if I try to leave from a stop. But once warm, it runs great all day no matter how long I shut if off. If I adjust the choke to come off sooner, it's worse, if I adjust to leave it on longer it's worse. I've played with everything from the time the choke is on, to the vacuum pull-off, idle mix, timing, etc, and it still just plain sucks. But I think the carb is probably just worn completely out. The accel pump never works right despite the bore in the casting looking mint and it working on my bench - but then after a 2 minutes on the engine it stops working proper. Frustrating as all get out. Looking forward to the new engine, intake, and carb that I have on the bench for it.
The weather here also plays havoc because we go from 0 all the way beyond 100F. Humidity, dryness, we get it all. In March my cars were sweating out in the barn from the humidity but last year it seemed like anything made of rubber shriveled up and died quicker than anything I owned in Tucson or Vegas.. craziness.