hours versus mileage
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 7,855
Likes: 11
From: Oroville,Washington.
Just a question do you think an hour meter would be a good thing to have on your bike? since an hour meter works all the time. For ***** and giggles how long does your engine idle for in one year? an hour meter would help with your service interval. when you think about it there is a lot of wear going on those hot days when you only have a air cooled engine.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
Waste of time on a bike.
Who spends much time at an idle??.....Waiting at traffic lights would be about all. Or an occasional traffic delay.
Anyone who spends any measurable amount of time sitting around idling an air cooled motorcycle needs more help than an hour meter can provide.
Who spends much time at an idle??.....Waiting at traffic lights would be about all. Or an occasional traffic delay.
Anyone who spends any measurable amount of time sitting around idling an air cooled motorcycle needs more help than an hour meter can provide.
Last edited by baka1969; Jan 29, 2014 at 03:05 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
If I'm in any kind of situation where the bike is idling for a longer than normal period, I shut it off. Only takes a second or two to restart it. IMHO, a meter would be a waste of time and money. If it really bothers you that much, use a stopwatch and note the time in a ledger.
For me, my bike never idles longer that about 3 minutes at a time. Not enough to worry about after 10 years, much less 1.
How about a meter to measure how much time expires between the time you turn on the switch, until the time you actually start the bike? Then you could worry about your battery.
For me, my bike never idles longer that about 3 minutes at a time. Not enough to worry about after 10 years, much less 1.
How about a meter to measure how much time expires between the time you turn on the switch, until the time you actually start the bike? Then you could worry about your battery.
Last edited by DannyZ71; Jan 29, 2014 at 02:51 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Exactly. I learned how to plan my trips better earlier in life or leave me an out. I can always find a place to either get out of the traffic or park. Yes, I do whatever it takes to keep my Harley's moving or parked. Including shoulders, white lines, and anything else necessary. I will take a nap on the side of the road if I have to. While waiting for the situation to clear on the road. Usually near any obstacle that keeps people from running me/motorcycle over. Tree, column, pillar, road sign, ugly woman, etc,etc, etc.
If I'm in any kind of situation where the bike is idling for a longer than normal period, I shut it off. Only takes a second or two to restart it. IMHO, a meter would be a waste of time and money. If it really bothers you that much, use a stopwatch and note the time in a ledger.
For me, my bike never idles longer that about 3 minutes at a time. Not enough to worry about after 10 years, much less 1.
How about a meter to measure how much time expires between the time you turn on the switch, until the time you actually start the bike? Then you could worry about your battery.
For me, my bike never idles longer that about 3 minutes at a time. Not enough to worry about after 10 years, much less 1.
How about a meter to measure how much time expires between the time you turn on the switch, until the time you actually start the bike? Then you could worry about your battery.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 459
From: Here and now
Great idea. Just think of the possibilities.
Instead of coming on the forums and calling people posers and rubs based on miles, you can now do it by hours. How many hours I rode in the rain, or how many hours I ride compared to the guy with the good job and the CVO bike.
Makes for a whole new way to quantify the "I'm more of a biker than you are" argument.
Instead of coming on the forums and calling people posers and rubs based on miles, you can now do it by hours. How many hours I rode in the rain, or how many hours I ride compared to the guy with the good job and the CVO bike.
Makes for a whole new way to quantify the "I'm more of a biker than you are" argument.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
Ding ding ding ding! We have a winner! Like I've stated many times, riding in urban stop-and-go traffic is totally different than riding in a rural area or on the slab. Anyone ever take 2 hours to ride 10 miles? Some guy on the slab can cover that in less than 8 minutes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 106
From: -)
Ding ding ding ding! We have a winner! Like I've stated many times, riding in urban stop-and-go traffic is totally different than riding in a rural area or on the slab. Anyone ever take 2 hours to ride 10 miles? Some guy on the slab can cover that in less than 8 minutes.
And those 10 miles may be what we like to call "viper miles". WFO-idle-WFO-idle.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
You rural riders haven't any idea.
That said, an hour meter wouldn't be a terrible idea. That would give you an idea of how long you've been ON the bike. Both miles and time are important. Not either, or.