Is it just me or do others notice their bike runs better/faster in colder weather? Went for a ride today in 50 degree weather. My bike just seemed to run better. Any comments?

 

I've always felt that way seems to run better in cooler temps,and I love riding in cooler temps.

 

Cold air is denser, so yes, it's feasible that it could make your bike run a bit better, all else being the same.

 

+1 on that. This is a well-known fact in the aviation field, which also translates to jet-engine driven electrical generators. At some of those power plants they actually install chiller systems to cool off the air fed to the engine intake to get more horsepower/output.

 

The cooler air does help your bike run better and gives you a slight increase in power. This is why people put nitrous on their vehicles because the nitrous cools off the air going into the engine which give you more power.

 

I love the way the bike performs in the cold weather. I on the other hand must wear heated gear to keep up with it.

 

Yes, it will run better when it's colder.

 

It is just a little more than denser air. The engine cases are cooler along with the cooler denser air means that the charge will expand more when ignited.

That results in more pressure pushing on the piston.

You think it runs better in 50 degree weather. Just try 20 degree. You will think that you are feeding it NOS.

 

Even back in the 70s, I've always thought my bike ran better in 50°+ weather...it stays cooler for sure. I know I like it better.

 

I'm no scientist but by what I understand: Cold air = more dense which means more oxygen. More oxygen = more intense burn = more power/better running.