So two questions. What exactly is excessive engine breaking? Is it doing it too often? Or is it doing it so that you lurch forward. Both? I want to be clear so I don't do it.

Secondly, it has yet to really get above 40 when I leave in the morning. I leave real early in the morning and even my stock pipes are a racket. I want to avoid irritating my neighbors as I live in a sectioned off house that is now a couple of apartments. So I don't want to let my bike sit there for 5-10 minutes warming up. When is it a good temp that I can just start and go? I'm a courteous person. I know I wouldn't want to be awake at 5am if I didn't have to be.

 

I generally down shift to match speed with anticipated rpm's, lurching or bike wheel locking up is a bit hard. I've always let the bike warm up long enough to feel the heads just getting warm, then just roll out on minimum power as to not wake the neighbors.

 

When you down shift blip the throttle a little bit. As for waking the neighbors. Is gonna happen. Nice for you to care but im guessing your not fuel injected. Gotta let it warm up.

 

You don't have to sit there for 5 or 10 minutes especially if your fuel injected. If it's idling smoothly, ease on out and go. Try rolling to the end of the drive before starting it to lower the noise level for your neighbor.

 

Yes, 2009 so fuel injected. So how does that help me?

 

Carbureted engine takes longer, there's no electronics adjusting the fuel mixture for engine temperature. There's just you adjusting the choke. On a fuel-injected bike, I think you'd be fine riding off (gently) after about 30 seconds. If it's cold, maybe a minute to be safe. Best way to tell is by engine sound.

 

Yep, no need to wait. The electronic fuel injection will adjust the a/f ratio so the bike will fun just fine. Personally I'd keep the revs modest till it warms up, but that's just me.

 

Thanks every one. That helps a lot.

 

if the bike is garaged I doubt it's 40* in there. if really worried you can also direct a clamp on light (with a reflector shield) at the motor or set it on the ground pointing up. If stored outside I wouldn't recommend it.

 

Carbureted Harleys are notoriously cold natured. Frquently backfire through the carburetors when cold, and then occasionaly do so even when warm and idling, like at a stop sign. Fuel injected bikes are better, but my Sporty is stil cold natured enough that I let it idle probably 2 or 3 minutes before I pull out on it. If you are pulling out on a busy street, into traffic, it can be important. If you have a short ride through a quiet neighborhood it is not as critical.

It should be obvious, but I will say it anyway. Do not let it idle in a closed garage. Carbon Monoxide is more dangerous than most people know.