Warming up the Harley
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
RE: Warming up the Harley
It'll be 38-39 degrees when I get home from work in about a half hour. I'll idle the bike for 5 or even 10 minutes before I go ride. In my mind, I'm letting the thick cold oil heat up and get circulated, allowing the viscosity (sp) to change to something a little less sludge-like.
Whether or not that's what really happens, I don't know... it's just what I think I'm doin...
I warm it up in the middle of summer too, though definitely not as long.
Whether or not that's what really happens, I don't know... it's just what I think I'm doin...
I warm it up in the middle of summer too, though definitely not as long.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
RE: Warming up the Harley
I let it idle for about as long as it takes to pick the bike off the stand and put it in first gear. Everyone has an opinion on this and mine won't change anybody else's nor theirs mine, but in many (many) years around engines of all kinds I've never run into one that really benefitted from running at idle speeds. Personally, I think you do the engine a lot more good getting it up to speed where the oil pump is going full pressure.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 0
From: USA
RE: Warming up the Harley
If the bike has been sitting and it’s cold out I let it warm up for a few minutes.
The warmer out the less time I warm it up (a minute or two).
I do take it easy until I think it’s warmed up.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: AZ
RE: Warming up the Harley
No time to warm up. I was looking for nitrogen to put in my tires but could only find helium, so I need to get going fast or I will float away. The up side is I get great gas mileage. 
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 22
From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
RE: Warming up the Harley
I quietly walk mine down the driveway to the curb, position it so the pipes are facing my AH neighbor's bedroom window, then light it up at 4 in the morning.
Then let it idle as long as it takes to wake em up. And twist it a few times so the injection wont load up.
Then let it idle as long as it takes to wake em up. And twist it a few times so the injection wont load up.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
RE: Warming up the Harley
I have heard that takeing off and really revving can blow a gasket... My painter said his friend did just that. Not sure but what's the harm in letting it idle five minutes or so?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 82
From: nj
RE: Warming up the Harley
I was told that the reason that you let the bike warm up is that you don't blow a lower jug gasket. I have a 98 super glide with 44,000 miles and no oil leaks at all. i let her warm up good and take it easy till everything is warm up as I let her warm up The choke is all the way in and I just give it a little gas with the thumb screw till it races a liitle now she is warmes up
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
From: NH - Why not Minot, ND
RE: Warming up the Harley
Start her, put my gear on, have a smoke, put her in gear and take it easy for the first few minutes. After that, game on! I think the dealer told me to let her idle for at least 15 seconds, to make sure the oil is circulated, buuuuut...To each his own.