M8 Warm Up Time
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Sunshine State
M8 Warm Up Time
Developed a habit due to that 1st gear clunk slamming so hard first start up of the day.
I start it in neutral and let it warm up a few minutes my first start of the day.
Shut it down, put it in first, crank it up, and off I go.
Rest of the day, start it in first.
That initial start up and 'into first' slams way too hard for my likening. Waiting for that additional 5K miles to change fluids over to my preference, and a clutch pak adjustment.
Figure a few of you out there running across the same, thought I'd throw some input and see what others are doing.
I start it in neutral and let it warm up a few minutes my first start of the day.
Shut it down, put it in first, crank it up, and off I go.
Rest of the day, start it in first.
That initial start up and 'into first' slams way too hard for my likening. Waiting for that additional 5K miles to change fluids over to my preference, and a clutch pak adjustment.
Figure a few of you out there running across the same, thought I'd throw some input and see what others are doing.
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,036
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From: Nunya.
When the idle settles down a little say 1050 revs , snick her in gear and go man but go steady.I idle all my stuff for at least two minutes usually longer first hit out of the day,then take it easy for the first few miles, I genuinely believe that and running them in hard but not stoopid is the secret to long engine life.Case in point my old turbo pick up is going on 16 years old doesn't use a drop of oil doesn't leak any either,ran it in hard ,start it idle it for a while(3 mins) before I roll out slow.My FXBB has done almost 12000 miles and when I changed the oil at the 10,000 mile mark you could still clearly see thru the oil.
Peace.
Peace.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Plover, WI
Same here. Start in neutral, hold clutch in while backing out of garage. Shifting from neutral to first is literally silent.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 965
Likes: 297
From: NoVa
Anything over a minute idling is too much. Usually wait until the idle settles down from the initial fast idle (maybe 15 seconds?), then back her out of the driveway, and ride away GENTLY for the first couple of miles.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Sunshine State
Some good input, I'll have to try the backing it up before hitting first see if that helps, and I'll try pulling the clutch a few times before 1st, too. I have never had a scoot's 1st gear hit so hard when cold as this M8.
The one reply didnt make much sense was 15 secs and fast idle drops, not on mine. Fast idle is 1400 or so initially and takes too long to reach normal idle.
This has always been my practise regardless carb or FI. The initial cold start I take a 2-3 minutes. Below seems to be the preference though.
To wrap it up, warm up your bike for at least a minute before heading out. Just use the time to buckle your helmet, slip your gloves on or finish other preparations. That way you’re not wasting time – and you’re likely saving your engine from wear.
The one reply didnt make much sense was 15 secs and fast idle drops, not on mine. Fast idle is 1400 or so initially and takes too long to reach normal idle.
This has always been my practise regardless carb or FI. The initial cold start I take a 2-3 minutes. Below seems to be the preference though.
To wrap it up, warm up your bike for at least a minute before heading out. Just use the time to buckle your helmet, slip your gloves on or finish other preparations. That way you’re not wasting time – and you’re likely saving your engine from wear.
Last edited by Tampa Fatboy; Nov 28, 2019 at 09:07 AM.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Wisconsin
Or you can put the bike in gear, pull the clutch, roll the bike (this will break the clutch loose), then cold start in gear. You can wait about 20 seconds and ride off or put it in neutral at that point to warm-up.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
After doing this you can put it back into neutral, fire the engine, pull in the clutch lever and wait a few seconds, drop into gear.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Nov 28, 2019 at 09:38 AM.
