Warm Up

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Oct 23, 2010 | 10:40 AM

#11

BugDr

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 1,070

Likes: 1

From: Orygun

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyde Glyde Bry

Hopefully this helps.

Thanks for posting the link to that info. I have read so many conflicting opinions on warm up, it's great to have actual data to clear it up.

Oct 23, 2010 | 11:09 AM

#12

stic2it

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 671

Likes: 5

From: D.C suburbs

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidder

Remind me to never buy a bike from you.

I do almost exactly what he says, and never had any problems to date. The lower the temp the longer I let it idle but no longer than a minute or two. I live in a pretty quiet neighborhood and don't really want to wake everyone up. Bike has not missed a beat!

Oct 23, 2010 | 11:17 AM

#13

Centerline

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 1,789

Likes: 9

From: Double Oak, Texas

For a totaly "cold" soaked engine, I sart the machine, let it idle while I finish suiting up. I ride it very easy for probably 10-15 minutes, as I ease it into larger throttle openings and let it run progressively higher revs between shifts. Personally, I would not take it onto steady state, freeway speeds for about 20 some minutes; but that's just me on all my bikes.

Oct 23, 2010 | 11:48 AM

#14

Grendel4

Banned

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 5,403

Likes: 7

From: Southwest Florida

Many internal combustion pistons are 'barrel' and/or elliptical in shape. This is to allow for the different expansion rates of the various parts of the piston.

Here is an exaggerated view of how a Harley piston might be shaped --

As the piston heats up, it expands more in the high temp area nearer the top than it does down by the skirt. It is essential that you warm your engine up for at least 20 minutes before you do any 'spirited' driving of your motorcycle. I don't mean let it sit and idle in the garage for 20 minutes, I mean take easy, greasy. You got a long way to slide.

Word........

Oct 23, 2010 | 12:57 PM

#15

goblin127

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 408

Likes: 0

From: western mass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thealaskan

Sorry, forgot what I was going to post ! LOL

No actual need to warm up the bike... Start it, wait 10 seconds for the oil to circulate, leave off on your ride nice & easy, no lugging, no over-revving, let the motor warm up as you go for the first 5 mins, and you'll be fine.

Anyone tells you different is full of ****.

Sounds about right for an air cooled motor.

Oct 24, 2010 | 01:04 PM

#16

thealaskan

Road Captain

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 717

Likes: 3

From: Cincinnati

Sorry if sounded too aggressive, but the only way you're going to hurt that motor is running hard and cold. Take it easy, but there is no need to let it idle for 10 minutes.

Oct 24, 2010 | 01:23 PM

#17

trip20

Grand HDF Member

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 3,553

Likes: 17

Go back and read the original post.

He asked how long it takes for the engine to reach normal operating temps. That's it.

He didn't ask how long he should warm up his bike, which is what you're ranting about.

Oct 24, 2010 | 04:50 PM

#18

jaxdwg

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 1,301

Likes: 24

From: Minden LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by thealaskan

My thoughts exactly. I fire mine up and role it back out into the driveway, put it in gear and go. I keep the rpms down for a few miles and don't goose the throttle, just a nice smooth acceleration and shift. By the time I get to the freeway, about 4 miles, I jump on the freeway and go. 103k miles+ and it runs great. I think the key is to get the oil pumping good and smooth for a few minutes of "nice&easy" driving then have a good time, and, this also warms up the gearbox and primary oil tooooooo. By sitting at idle for several minutes, the engine oil will get warm but the primary and tranny don't get the same chance.