Cold weather, hard on engine?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 252
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From: Arkansas
Cold weather, hard on engine?
Even with the lighter wt oil, my 07 flstc can be tough to crank when it is down below 10 degrees F. I also have the syn oil in the trans and primary. I could pre-heat it at home, but that won't help much when I'm away. Local dealer says I shouldn't be riding in such cold weather!!!! He also told me I shouldn't be riding on 100+ days, as it was overheating. I wish someone at Harley would step up to the plate and let me know if the bike was built to ride or look at. Don
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
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From: Windham,Maine
RE: Cold weather, hard on engine?
You can ride in both conditions,when cold give the motor time enough to heat all the way to the crankcase,riding slow.In the heat,no hard riding or prolonged periods of idling all common sense stuff for aircooled engines.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 137
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From:
RE: Cold weather, hard on engine?
Go for it Man, My mates say my harley is a bit agracultural, when i crossed your beautfull country on route 66 i chose Harley, Its the ultumate American machine, the nearest thing to a pony you can get. Carpe Dieam
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,437
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From:
RE: Cold weather, hard on engine?
No problem at all. Just warm up the bike a little before starting, and ride for the first, say 5 minutes easy, without asking the engine the best it can give.
In hot weather, if you are forced to idle, just switch it off. If you foresee a stop soon enough, instead of running to the stopping point and then pulling the clutch there, let the bike run for a while idling with the clutch pulled and air cooling it down. It helps as well.
In hot weather, if you are forced to idle, just switch it off. If you foresee a stop soon enough, instead of running to the stopping point and then pulling the clutch there, let the bike run for a while idling with the clutch pulled and air cooling it down. It helps as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 576
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From:
RE: Cold weather, hard on engine?
When its that cold, start it up, rev it up till you get into the rev limiter, then back down, put in gear and do a burnout..Then it is ready to go...
WHOOOO HOOOO ITS FRIDAY.....
WHOOOO HOOOO ITS FRIDAY.....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,881
Likes: 7
From: North Georgia
RE: Cold weather, hard on engine?
Our Harleys will endure much more than the human aboard. Thereare NO temperature range restrictions, just human ones.
Apply common sense, use synthetic oils, and keep an eye on your tire pressures and battery healthwhen riding in either extream.
You'll chicken out way before the Harley will!
Apply common sense, use synthetic oils, and keep an eye on your tire pressures and battery healthwhen riding in either extream.
You'll chicken out way before the Harley will!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 252
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From: Arkansas
RE: Cold weather, hard on engine?
No problem letting it warm up, I do that once I get it started. Problem is getting it to crank when the temp is in the single digits. Don
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
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From:
RE: Cold weather, hard on engine?
Don, In very low temperatures that you describe its essential that your battery be fully charged all the time. If you have access to a battery tender and electricaloutlet when the bike is parked I would try that and see if it turns over any faster. I'm assuming that all your connections between the battery are also clean and tight. Another trick that might work is using a 100w light bulb in a mechanics drop light next to your oil tank. Cover your bike with a blanket to keep in the warmth (just dont let the blanket come in contact with the light or you could have a fire). The heat from the light bulb might be enough to keep things warm under the blanket and it will keep moisture off the metal too.
I see no problem with riding in 100* temps as long as you keep moving but if you get stuck in traffic it just plain sucks. Synthetic oil will withstand more heat than dino oil but trying to avoid traffic jams in the first place is your best defense. If I get stuck in traffic I will split lanes, drive on the shoulder or shut the bike down and just walk it till traffic speeds up again.
I see no problem with riding in 100* temps as long as you keep moving but if you get stuck in traffic it just plain sucks. Synthetic oil will withstand more heat than dino oil but trying to avoid traffic jams in the first place is your best defense. If I get stuck in traffic I will split lanes, drive on the shoulder or shut the bike down and just walk it till traffic speeds up again.
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Banned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,431
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From: Elizabethtown, Pa
RE: Cold weather, hard on engine?
I tried the lightbulb trick and it works! When I put the bike in the shed after a ride and the temps are below freezing, I cover the bike with an old comforter so that it cools down slower. This prevents condensation (from rapid cooling) from forming inside the motor and gumming up the oil. I place a broom handle underneath the comforter, to keep it off the pipes. Then Iplace a trouble light with a 100w bulb under the crankcase and this is on a timer so that it comes on about 2 hours before I leave for work. Definitely makes for easier starting.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
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From: along the shore of Mishigami
RE: Cold weather, hard on engine?
you may want to also consider a battery tender plus, and keep the tenderconnected overnight. that way your battery will be at full charge in the a.m. one more thing to consider, when it's cold outside and you can see your breath your engine doing the same thing internally. that engine got to get up to full operating temp. (about 50 miles) to heat the moisture out of the oil or else you will get a"milky" look in your oil, that's moisture. these engines can take it, you just have to know their characteristics. ride safe.