How often to start?
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Banned
Joined: Nov 2006
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How often to start?
My Sporty's sittin in the garage(attached).Manual say's I should start her frequently,and run till she warms up.It's like 8F now and goin up to 25F I think so what,once a day I start her? every other day,is once a week enough? Anyone been thru this?
[IMG]local://upfiles/21121/5395034ED95D441ABDA81D68322E9A1A.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/21121/5395034ED95D441ABDA81D68322E9A1A.jpg[/IMG]
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 33
From: San Diego, CA
RE: How often to start?
I don't think I could just fire mine up without taking her for a spin. It should warm up in a few hours, I can hardly wait as I didn't get a chance to ride yesterday.
Prolly no a good idea to just let her sit and idle for 15-20 minutes right?
Prolly no a good idea to just let her sit and idle for 15-20 minutes right?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 36
From: Georgia Mountains
RE: How often to start?
I dont think they get up to operating temps just idling. And if the oil doesn't get hot enough, you don't burn off the moisture in the engine. I always thought you winterize it with a fresh oil change, put STABIL in the gas tank, run the fresh oil up to temp (riding around town), put a battery tender on, and thats it till spring. But I live in Florida, so what the hell do I know.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 543
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From:
RE: How often to start?
It ain't a good idea to start a bike and let it idle for an extended period. Fouled plugs and condensation are just a couple bad things to gain from it.
Fire it up at least every couple weeks, if possible, and ride it for an hour or so. Otherwise, do like rdam suggests, and just put the thing on a battery tender. I don't even have a battery tender.
Fire it up at least every couple weeks, if possible, and ride it for an hour or so. Otherwise, do like rdam suggests, and just put the thing on a battery tender. I don't even have a battery tender.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 520
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From: Oxnard CA
RE: How often to start?
I really do feel for those of you that have to put your bikes up for the winter. [sm=biker2.gif]
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Sw Florida
RE: How often to start?
I'm with ya I'm in Florida to and really dont have any input other than but a snow suit and ride 
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Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 472
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From:
RE: How often to start?
Welcome to HDF from Houston,Tx.I have to agree that just letting it sit and idle is just as bad as not starting it up it needs to be rode even if it is just for an hour or to the local store once a week.It's a Shame it is so cold over there I don't miss it for a minuite.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
RE: How often to start?
ORIGINAL: rdam
I dont think they get up to operating temps just idling. And if the oil doesn't get hot enough, you don't burn off the moisture in the engine. I always thought you winterize it with a fresh oil change, put STABIL in the gas tank, run the fresh oil up to temp (riding around town), put a battery tender on, and thats it till spring. But I live in Florida, so what the hell do I know.
I dont think they get up to operating temps just idling. And if the oil doesn't get hot enough, you don't burn off the moisture in the engine. I always thought you winterize it with a fresh oil change, put STABIL in the gas tank, run the fresh oil up to temp (riding around town), put a battery tender on, and thats it till spring. But I live in Florida, so what the hell do I know.