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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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........

 

Sounds about right for an air cooled motor.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I wait until I hear the motor idle down to normal after cold start up, about three minutes.

 

push the button, put on gloves and helmet, and go ride. don't need to go like hell leaving the driveway.