Cold weather starting question
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
RE: Cold weather starting question
My starts a little hard around 25-30 degrees and below. Can't tell you how it starts below 0, Coldest i've ridden was 2 Degrees. So it's common for the bikes to start hard at lower temps. Technically batteries are supposed to be changed every 2 years and I prefer synthetic oil in low temps but have not had a problem with 20-50 or 10-40.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Cold weather starting question
ORIGINAL: fasthorse
My bike is stored in a none heated attached garage of my house. It's cold here, around zero so it's pretty chilly in the garage.
My battery seems fully charged. I have it on a battery maintainer. But when I hit the start button, there is a slight hesitation then it cranks over and starts. All my lights and headlights look strong, so is that hesitation due to the cold?
Is this common with harleys that they my crank harder when it's cold or have that hesitation?
My bike is stored in a none heated attached garage of my house. It's cold here, around zero so it's pretty chilly in the garage.
My battery seems fully charged. I have it on a battery maintainer. But when I hit the start button, there is a slight hesitation then it cranks over and starts. All my lights and headlights look strong, so is that hesitation due to the cold?
Is this common with harleys that they my crank harder when it's cold or have that hesitation?
With very cold weather oil becomes as thick as honey. The various parts have to move in that goo, and it takes some force.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,598
From: Danbury CT
RE: Cold weather starting question
ORIGINAL: cookiemech
I'm wondering why you're starting it if it's 0°. Are you riding at that temperature? (I rode to work Monday at 8°, but didn't see anyone else riding.)
If you're not riding it, you're not doing the bike any favors by starting it. Oil dilution, and corrosion in the exhaust system . . .
I'm wondering why you're starting it if it's 0°. Are you riding at that temperature? (I rode to work Monday at 8°, but didn't see anyone else riding.)
If you're not riding it, you're not doing the bike any favors by starting it. Oil dilution, and corrosion in the exhaust system . . .
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Cold weather starting question
If you are routinely operating your bike in <40F weather you may consider switching your oil to Mobil1 15w50 for the Winter. You can get it cheap at Walmart. Many people have great results all year long with this oil. It will give you better cold cranking flow and still protect the engine from heat.
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